Has received a baffling article on God, immortality, and socialism under a Darwinian point of view.

Clerk Maxwell has disagreed with CD on molecular calculations in relation to Pangenesis in Encyclopaedia Britannica article ["Atom", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 9th ed. (1875) 3: 36–49].

Thanks for Catasetum and other specimens.

Sends £25 subscription, though he is not a churchman.

Hopes GdeS will publish on subjects discussed in his letter [10587]. CD had noted similar persistence of variation in fossil shells.

Calls his attention to Nägeli’s work on Hieracium.

Expresses skepticism about O. Heer’s view that dicotyledonous plants developed suddenly. Believes they must have developed slowly in some part of the globe completely isolated from other regions.

CD grieves over death of Frank’s wife Amy; worries that it will weaken Frank’s determination to pursue his scientific work.

Reports the death of Francis’ wife, Amy.

Thanks JS for three essays. Has read with great interest the essay on the basking shark ["Sur les appareils tamiseurs ou fanons branchiaux du Pélerin", Kjo|benhaven Oversigt (1873): 47–66]. The explanation that the comb-like structures are of the nature of teeth is a "most wonderful case".

Sends his photograph.

Informs LD of the death of Francis Darwin’s wife, Amy.

Thanks GWN for condolences on death of Amy, his daughter-in-law.

Discusses death of his daughter-in-law

and possible visit by EH.

Discusses the death of his daughter-in-law.

Plans to visit Southampton.

Forwards chapter [of Orchids (1877)] for correction.

Sadness at the death of Amy.

CD thanks JDH for his condolences. Amy’s baby will live with the Darwins.

Encloses coral specimen and manuscript account of it by William Lonsdale.

Asks WCM to design additional rooms for Down House.

Pleased to hear of Peter Henderson’s intended experiment [on Drosera, see 10588]. Asks that she tell Mr Henderson that he believes good derived from animal diet will be shown only by production of larger number of seeds and more luxuriant growth in the ensuing year. Wishes to hear the results.

Would like to see the pigeons, though he is not likely to work on the subject again. When he hears from Dr Scully, he will present them to the British Museum.

Has not had time to use the information about earthworms yet, but hopes to use it in about a year’s time.

Suggests German works worth translating.

Is glad FD is keeping busy; he has worked excellently on proof-sheets [of Orchids (1877)].

Would like Catasetum and Acropera plants.

Thanks for sending Moritz Wagner’s letter and his essays [on "Der Naturprocess der Artbildung" in Das Ausland (1875)]. Will read them and write to Wagner when his health is better.

Declines to receive Scherzer at Down.