Pollination and floral structure of Lathyrus. Asks where bees bite through the flowers.

Regrets that "our brush theory" is wrong.

Asks FD to bring any book that gives the affinities of the various earths, alkalis and metals.

Reports that S. W. Moore may be able to provide various substances for CD’s research on the digestive power of Drosera (sundew).

Has discussed with E. E. Klein about the purchase of a Hartnack microscope from Paris.

Asks for details about microscope parts.

Wants FD to ask Hooker for species of Desmodium; CD believes he has found new movements.

Also ask whether Hooker has Drosophyllum.

Has got a cold, so will not go to Kew. Wrote to Hartnack about price of microscopes and describes own model. Told Hooker about Tisley Spiller’s microscope in Paris.

Lists observations he would like FD to make on the dried species of Desmodium at Kew.

Wants FD to look at the little lateral leaflets of Desmodium. CD has "a wild hypothesis that the little leaflets may be tendrils reconverted into leaflets".

Observations on the leaves of Desmodium. Most are trifoliate; none has tendrils. Gives some comments from Hooker.

Fears [CD’s] albumen theory will not work because albumen is coagulated and filtered out in making extracts of belladonna, hyoscyamine, and colchicine [alkaloid poisons].

Has investigated whether it makes a difference if extracts [of alkaloid poisons] are made from leaves, seeds, or roots.

Asks FD to come early to write from dictation.

Thanks Amy for her drawing of Utricularia montana.

Asks FD to make out [Hermann] Hoffmann’s conclusions about the fertilisation of Phaseolus multiflorus [in Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung des Werthes von Species und Varietät (1869)].

Begs FD’s pardon: his notes on Utricularia amethystina are on same page with those on U. nelumbifolia.

Has been examining Utricularia minor. Same essential structure but catches smaller Entomostraca. One bladder had 24, another 20, and another 15 Entomostraca. "What slaughter! We must make out the functions of the beast––".

Had two mornings working on Drosera but it was sluggish. Frog preparations are pretty good.

Asks DO to return enclosed post-card with locality of Genlisea aurea specimen that DO had sent.

Sends a chapter [of Insectivorous plants]. Never was there anything so dull, but later chapters will be better. Please correct an error on p. 86.

Proofs arrived and Francis is correcting them. Tells Emma Darwin that Amy is delighted about the azaleas. The Ruck family very much like Isabella Bird’s Six months in the Sandwich Islands.