Has a magnificent bush of Porlieria. There is no vestige of bloom; CD will test for sleep movements. Reports successful experiments on temperature-induced sensitivity of radicles.

Has been approached by [H. R. Hope-]Pinker who wishes to sculpt him for the Royal Institution; asks whether WS has any knowledge of the matter.

Describes sleep movements in Porlieria and his experiments on movements of radicles.

Thalia flowers have interesting mechanism to ensure cross-fertilisation.

Asks for sketches of [Thalia] pistil, in which he is much interested.

Rejoices that "Lagrange’s case does not seem very bad".

CD is working hard at dissecting Thalia. Has recovered some handiness with microscope.

Thanks GHD for his drawings [of Thalia]. Some parts need attention.

Writes to say that the point on which he thought GHD’s drawings were mistaken proves to be an error in his own observation.

Asks for list of families of sleeping plants. Believes sleep is merely modified circumnutation at a particular time of day.

Porlieria has had no water for some time but shows no sign of flagging.

Describes the response of Thalia flowers to touch.

Discusses sleep movements of Porlieria.

Has read an abstract of Julius Wiesner on heliotropism and geotropism ["Die heliotropischen Erscheinungen im Pflanzenreiche", Anz. Kais. Akad. Wiss. Wien 15 (1878): 137–40] which seems important but is puzzling.

Gives details of his observations on climbing plants with reference to comments by Julius Sachs.

Has offered Carl Semper the writing machine.

Speculates on the mechanism of movement in plants and their reception of and response to stimuli.

Is forwarding the writing machine to Carl Semper.

Is glad FD has taken up his old friends, the twiners.

Hopes to get heliotropic aerial roots from J. D. Hooker. Asks FD to find out whether any moulds or roots are apheliotropic. Is puzzled by heliotropism in subterranean roots.

Comments on function of bloom.

Describes the effect of water shortage on sleep movements in Porlieria.

Is pleased FD’s climbing work goes well.

Thanks him for information on heliotropism.

Discusses sleep movements

and his observations on the sensitivity of radicle tips.

Agrees to read manuscript if short.

Responds to ASW’s information about Erythraea

and about wasps on Scrophularia.

Instructs FD to plant some Oxalis seeds.

Wishes to trace the movement of an old cotyledon. Asks him to examine and compare the pulvinus of a species which moves its cotyledon greatly with one of a species that moves it only moderately.

Are the tendrils ready for heliotropic experiment yet?

He and Emma rejoice that GHD’s mathematical troubles are at an end. It is miraculous that he unconsciously followed the right course – like composing a sonata by a fluke.

Is glad WO is undertaking the editing of Anton Kerner’s book [Schutzmittel der Blüthen gegen unberufene Gäste (1876)], which appears to open out "highly original & curious fields of research". [Used as prefatory letter to Kerner, Flowers and their unbidden guests, The translation revised and edited by W. Ogle (1878).]

Instructions to sow some seeds

and suggestions for experiment on effects of removal of bloom.

Likes Hugo de Vries very much; has hardly ever seen so modest a man.

Asks FD to reply to a letter [11653a] requesting a list of CD’s books.