Agrees to write to William Ogle [about twins with crooked fingers].

Describes growth of sweetpeas for experiment.

Thanks FG for issues of Revue [Scientifique vol. 7, containing lectures by Claude Bernard].

Ogle says twins [with crooked fingers] are his sisters.

Recommends book by M. A. Puvis [De la dégénération des variétés de végétaux (1837)].

Has heard that FG will write on inheritance. Huxley does not believe in E. G. Balbiani’s views on subject.

In London yesterday for Vivisection Commission.

Is revising his chapter on Pangenesis [in Variation, 2d ed.] to allow that gemmules probably multiply in the reproductive organs.

Notes examples of inheritance of acquired characteristics cited by Brown-Séquard.

Doubts that double parentage is necessary for complex organisations.

Comments on FG’s paper ["A theory of heredity"]. Finds essay difficult to understand. Objects that FG’s theory conflicts with phenomenon of use and disuse. Conflicts also with rarity of bud-variations in nature.

Says he has ordered FG’s article ["The history of twins", Fraser’s Mag. 92 (1875): 566–76; revised in J. Anthropol. Inst. 5 (1876): 391–406].

Comments on FG’s paper ["The history of twins"].

CD is "in a passion with the Spectator who always muddles".

Mentions revisions [in Variation, 2d ed.].

Argues with FG’s theory of heredity, defending Pangenesis: "I cannot doubt that every unit of the hybrid is hybridised and sends forth hybridised gemmules."

Thanks JS for Sensation and intuition [1874]. Regrets that it was not published earlier, so he could have profited by some of the discussions.

The plan of the new journal [Mind] seems excellent. CD regrets that he has so much work to do in natural history that it is improbable he can be a contributor.