Thanks for answers to questions [in 12032].

Has ordered the new book by Butler [Evolution, old and new (1879)]. It may make EK’s own essay superfluous.

Sends an ammonite from the Upper Lias, which has Balanus-like bodies on surface. He wants CD’s interpretation. Discusses possible function of aptychi, siphuncular tube, and operculum in ammonites.

Sends newspaper cutting referring to CD.

Wants some Sunday tickets for the Zoological Garden.

Wants information on the use of reason by animals.

Has searched to no avail for 17th- and 18th-century wills to learn how Elston Hall was acquired by Robert Darwin rather than by William Darwin, even though Robert was the younger son.

Samuel Butler seems not even to have read works of Erasmus Darwin. Quotes only passages quoted by other authors. Thorough account now more necessary than ever.

CD’s preliminary notice should be incorporated in German edition completely unchanged, though some annotation is needed to explain matters unfamiliar to German readers.

Would like to have article by CD for Kosmos.

CD’s works have opened a new world for him.

Sends a case of inheritance: a fingernail biting habit has persisted for four generations in a Viennese lawyer’s family.

Will attempt to copy the drawing of Elston Hall [Erasmus Darwin, p. 3]. Does not remember the highway robber story [ibid., pp. 64–5].

Fungus is an Aecidium. Porliera, Anthuriums and Aroids will hopefully sprout if weather gets hot. Sachs has changed his ideas about the cause of heliotropism. Describes men he is sharing a lab with.

Thanks for postcard informing him of Delboeuf’s review of his book; he had already seen review.

Will be glad to draw Elston Hall for CD.

Gives some details of Sir Brook Boothby.

Speaks of the delight of having met CD.

Hopes William Darwin may be able to visit Worthing.

Thanks CD for another letter [of his father’s].

Cannot call to mind the story about the robber [see Erasmus Darwin, pp. 64–5].

The official parish tithe map shows that a greater error than at first thought was made in measuring Miss Wedgwood’s land. She was overpaid £15 10s.

Geotropism.

Experimenting on Porlieria in damp and dry earth.

Hermann Müller has been ridiculed for teaching children "in the beginning was Carbon".

Will ask about Ernst Krause.

Thanks for reply to query. Asked E. Haeckel same question and his answer agreed with CD’s. Haeckel disbelieves in the supernatural. What does CD think?

Is well disposed toward publishing Krause’s essay on Dr Erasmus Darwin, particularly if CD undertakes to fill up its gaps. He thinks ED’s reputation is increasing.

Wants to republish Fritz Müller’s paper ["Ituna and Thyridia", Kosmos 5 (1879): 100–8] in Proceedings of the Entomological Society. [Thyridita!?]

Has finished the first part of Krause’s MS [of Erasmus Darwin]. Expects to receive the concluding portion soon.