StGJM’s article in the Quarterly Review [137 (1874): 40–77] contains wholly false and malicious accusations against CD’s son George. Since StGJM has refused to make any sort of retraction, CD will not hold any future communication with him.

CD has written to Mivart to say that he will never hold any communication with him in future.

Is alarmed by the petitions against vivisection that are being circulated. Believes there is scope for reasonable legislation and would like to see eminent physiologists prepare a petition so that the science could be protected and animals saved from needless suffering.

Hopes JDH will beat Sir Douglas Galton.

Continues to work on insectivorous plants.

Astonished at JDH’s success versus Galton

and his attack on Murray is superb. Has written a formal letter to Mivart enumerating his offences.

Sends suggestions for observations on glacial phenomena that might be made on the [Polar] expedition [of H. M. S. Alert and Discovery, 1875–6].

Is provoked by trouble he is having writing Insectivorous plants.

Curious case of an unknown form of Glaucium in earth covered with slag for 1400 years.

J. T. Knowles [editor of Contemp. Rev.] hopes W. D. Whitney’s article will be a long one.

CD is sorry about GHD’s account of his low spirits. "I know well the feeling of life being objectless & all being vanity of vanities."

Will not come to London for some weeks. Hopes to make TB’s acquaintance.

CD on his memory of Lyell. Deeply rejoices that he is to be buried in Westminster Abbey.

Has at last finished Insectivorous plants

and is rewriting Climbing plants.

W. W. Ouless has finished his picture of CD for Academy.

Has just come to London. Invites TB to luncheon.

Believes correspondent is interested in how physiologists regard the question of legislating on vivisection. He forwards the sketch of a bill drawn up by physiologists for that purpose.

Sends a sketch of a bill on vivisection that he understands LP wishes to see.

About elections to [an unspecified] club.

CD recounts events of the April-fool’s day séance at Hensleigh [Wedgwood]’s. Asks GHD to find out whether Sidgwick’s account of it agrees with what he has heard. "What rubbish the whole does seem to be!"

Another message about club elections.

Writes regarding local difficulties concerning Down School and the setting up of a reading-room; his strained relationship with G. S. ffinden following some misunderstanding.

CD and others now think it advisable to go further than a petition on vivisection, and a bill has been drafted.

F. Delpino’s pamphlet on pitchers ["Sulle pianti a bicchieri", Nuovo G. Bot. Ital. 3 (1871): 174–6].

Thanks EFWP for sending him his treatise.