Galton agrees with GJR about rudimentary organs.

GJR’s note referred to possibility of selection acting on organic types as distinguished from individuals.

Thinks Grant Allen has not made out his point [in Physiological aesthetics (1877)], but his fundamental principle probably has much truth.

Believes in differentiated nerve-tracts [in Medusa] because of experiment in which contractile waves blocked. [See GJR’s "Evolution of nerves", Nature 16 (1877): 231–3, 269–71, 289–93.] Did not know author of MS was Miss Lawless. Describes experiment on contractile waves in Aurelia. Also studying starfish.

Thanks for CD’s comments on ["Evolution of nerves"]. Admits that he may have "been too keen in my scent after nerves".

Notes effect of reversing direction of current in muscular tissue.

Thanks for letter. Values CD’s opinion more than that of anybody else.

Perfectly astonished at reception CD got among popular audiences at GJR’s lectures.

Thanks for letter of sympathy.

Would like to visit in May.

Thanks for permission to use CD’s observations on instinct. Would like to use CD’s MS chapter in preparing forthcoming book [Mental evolution in animals (1883)].

Thanks for permission to use CD’s MS chapter on instinct for forthcoming book.

GJR’s speech at Dublin [BAAS meeting] was an enormous success, with tremendous applause at mention of CD’s name at the finale.

Thanks for comments on his lecture ["Nervous system of Medusa"]

and for information [about J. R. L. Delboeuf, La psychologie (1876)].

Thanks for letter and book [J. R. L. Delboeuf, La psychologie (1876)].

Thinks conservation of energy not evidence for Deity. Agrees with CD that there is little hope to illuminate subject with light of intellect. Intends to drop it.

Thinks Herbert Spencer has done little service to science but a great service to thinking.

Thinks importance of mathematics overestimated [by J. F. Moulton] in criticising Spencer.

Preparing his book, Animal intelligence [1882].

Spent an afternoon with a spiritualist but did not learn anything.

Lectured on mental evolution in Newcastle.

Has conducted interesting research on locomotor systems of echinoderms.

Sends proofs of Encyclopaedia Britannica article on hybridism [9th ed., 12: 422–6]. Can CD mention authorities who should be cited?

Thanks for copy of W. O. Focke [Die Pflanzen-Mischlinge (1881)].

Has nearly finished paper on locomotor system in echinoderms.

Returns book [W. O. Focke, Pflanzen-Mischlinge]. It was of great use.

Suggests experiment involving light stimulation of plants.

Glad CD thinks experiment worth trying [see 12904]. Has written to John Tyndall for permission to do it at Royal Institution.

Paper on echinoderms written [with J. C. Ewart, "Locomotor system of Echinodermata", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 172 (1881): 829–85].

John Tyndall has provided apparatus for experiment with light.

Frank [Darwin]’s paper a brilliant success [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 18: 406–19, 420–55. Read 16 Dec].

Has got a monkey for observation.

Intends experiment to see if cats released in country can find their way back.