Comments on WM’s paper about ostrich feathers.

Hearty thanks for the two bottles of pure water.

Wants seeds of Nesaea verticillata for crossing experiments to see whether seedlings from "illegitimate unions" are sterile like true hybrids.

Thanks for the seventh of CVR’s Annual reports on the noxious, beneficial and other insects in the state of Missouri (Riley 1869–77).

AD is aware of revolutionary character of his pamphlet [Ursprung der Wirbelthiere]. Authorities will not agree with him. Carl Gegenbaur and Ernst Haeckel are opposed. Younger biologists are disposed to accept his views. All he can expect is to put a stop to "the Amphioxus–Ascidian affair, and to open a road for speculation and for investigation on the side of the Annelid-homology".

Asks permission to republish his climbing plants paper [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 9 (1867): 1–118] in a corrected form [Climbing plants].

Interested to hear about the peas.

Discusses feather as case of evolutionary atavism.

Will soon publish on siliceous sponges

and the skin of caterpillars.

Paralysis of the nervous system of Dionaea. Uses of tails of mice.

Returns corrected proofs [of Insectivorous plants].

Thanks for the diploma conferring on him an honorary doctorate of medicine from Leiden University.

Intends to set up a biological periodical called “Darwinia” to spread and popularise Darwin’s theories; hopes CD may contribute a few words to the opening issue.

CD’s observations on the power of movement and transmission of motor impulses in plants. If RLT succeeds with the tails of mice, it will be "a beautiful little discovery"; CD will enjoy it the more "because some German sneered at natural selection and instanced the tail of the mouse" [see 10013].

Playfair "disgusted at our pronunciamentos against the Bill". Burdon Sanderson and William Sharpey agreed to it. THH feels he must serve on Vivisection Commission.

May publish a lecture on insectivorous plants and would like to dedicate it to CD.

Wishes to become an F.R.S.

Comments on Fritz Schultze, Kant und Darwin [1875].

Describes recent activities.

Is very grateful for the gift of a fender-stool. Will send her a copy of Insectivorous plants.

Has found that H. G. Bronn in the chapter appended to his translation of Origin cited ears and tail of mice as facts opposed to natural selection. Suggests RLT examine hairs of tails of mice for possible nerves.

CD is convinced by the conclusions of Malthus.

Comments on his book [Kant und Darwin: ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Entwicklungslehre (1875)].