Asa Gray wants seeds of a variety of cotton known as vine cotton.

Wants Ipomoea seeds for observing germination.

WTT-D’s suggestion about absorbent function of pegs in Abronia suggests origin of pegs in Welwitschia, which deeply interests CD. Previously could not see how pegs became large enough to be of mechanical use. Now thinks tissue between hypocotyl and radicle absorbs fluid, which would favour rise of peg to expose larger surface.

Rejects German contempt for investigating use of organs.

Asks WTT-D to observe how worms draw Robinia leaves into burrows.

Wants plants with two sets of anthers of different colours. Fritz Müller letter [13041a] has made him wish to renew experiments and observations carried out 20 years ago.

Wants Monochaetum flowers for examination as he has forgotten the structure and cannot publish until he has repeated his observations and experiments.

Thanks for Monochaetum flowers; his old notes have now become intelligible.

About Francis Darwin’s application for election to [Royal] Society.

Wants Trifolium seed.

Has been rereading WTT-D’s letters on "bloom".

Wants a Clematis identified. Has been observing how earthworms drag down its petioles.

Thanks for WTT-D’s attempts to get the Trifolium seeds.

Progress of his and Frank Darwin’s work; "all natural science seems now to depend on section-cutting".

Would be grateful for some Euphorbia species for examination of the roots. "The subject is by no means worth all the labour I am bestowing on it, but I cannot bear to be beaten."

Magnificent supply of Euphorbiae arrived safely.

Wishes to identify a species of Cassia whose movements interest him.

Concerning secretion of "bloom";

movements of Robinia.

Wants some plants for observation and for experimentation on their powers of movement.

Asks WTT-D to make observations on plants with sensitive stamens or pistil.

Thanks for the seeds and plants that he requested.

Discusses effects of water on movement of insectivorous plants.

Has just found that Pinguicula can digest albumen.

Asa Gray writes that Sarracenia secretes trail of fluid to attract insects [see 9455].

Did not know cabbage contained so much nitrogen.

Pinguicula more excited by seeds than Drosera. Asks for information about Pinguicula.

Asks name of weed.

Asks to borrow Utricularia plant.

Has found Pinguicula excited by bits of leaves; appears to digest leaves and seeds. Plant not only insectivorous but graminivorous. Asks WTT-D to identify seeds.