Wants some more rubber bands for his wrist.
Wants some more rubber bands for his wrist.
Requests a list of books.
Praises FMB’s BAAS address [on embryology, Rep. BAAS 50 (1880): 636–44]. Recent progress of embryology splendid.
In work on plants, astonished at sensitivity of radicle and its power to transmit stimuli to adjoining part; such general sensitivity should be considered in genesis of nervous system.
Feels "malicious" pleasure at FMB’s criticism of Herbert Spencer.
Thanks RPH for the trouble he has taken on behalf of the Down Friendly Society.
Writes about worm-castings; tells WED not to bother with samples from Beaulieu Abbey.
Thanks for seeds of Cobaea;
was much interested in AE’s article ["On the fertilisation of Cobaea penduliflora", Nature 22 (1880): 148–9] opposing G. E. M. Bonnier’s view ["Les nectaires", Ann. Sci. Nat. (Bot.) 6th ser. 8 (1879): 6–212].
Case of Lisianthus is an excellent one of structure and movement of parts adapted to cross-fertilisation.
Asks whether worm-castings are found in the area.
Sends sheets of Movement in plants for translation, if JVC sees fit. It has some value and novelty, CD believes, but is very dull.
Improvement in orthography would be national benefit, but cannot contribute to WV’s paper.
Thanks for sending him a copy of the striking passage from Kepler.
CD is ashamed of length of Movement in plants – with index, nearly 600 pages. JVC will be awfully sick of ch. 1.
In intervals of correcting proofs, he is writing on the formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms. It will be a curious little book [Earthworms].
Comments on WB’s paper ["Über Variabilitäts-Erscheinungen an den Blüthen von Primula elatior und eine Anwendung des biogenetischen Grundgesetzes", Bot. Ztg. 38 (1880): 577–80].
Obliged for paper ["Oceans and continents" (1880)].
Agrees that John Murray’s view [of coral reefs] is far-fetched.
Sends formal regrets that he cannot accept luncheon invitation or attend Huxley’s address [at opening of Mason College, Birmingham].
Writes a sentence with which to preface B. G. Wilder’s letter [see 12726]. [Not used by and, perhaps, not sent to Nature.]
Grieved to hear of John Scott’s death.
Could GK visit Down?
Rejoices at good news. Will let T. H. Farrer hear the result. Cannot see why some of new varieties should not endure fungus-proof for years.