Invitation to an address by T. H. Huxley at Josiah Mason's Science College in Birmingham.

Sends formal regrets that he cannot accept luncheon invitation or attend Huxley’s address [at opening of Mason College, Birmingham].

Supervising French translation of Movement in plants. Why does not CD consider spontaneous movements of flower parts, which EMH sees also as circumnutation?

Can Alphonse de Candolle see CD?

Asa Gray at Kew; will meet JDH in Italy in December.

Asks whether CD would care to preface the letter of Burt G. Wilder which he forwarded for publication ["Two kinds of vivisection", Nature 22 (1880): 517–18].

Writes a sentence with which to preface B. G. Wilder’s letter [see 12726]. [Not used by and, perhaps, not sent to Nature.]

Has raised about 500 varieties out of the crop of the second generation comprising about 1500 varieties. Growers report immense yield and no disease. Doubts if variety free of disease will live for ever. New varieties must be continually coming into existence.

Sends two preserved pigs (showing some hereditary phenomenon) that the late John Scott intended for CD.

King has all of Scott’s papers.

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.

Leaves Kew the next day for three or four months of travel.

Has CD made arrangements with D. Appleton for Movement in plants? CD’s instructions about the index have been forwarded.

Encloses statement of U. S. sales of CD’s works to 1 Aug 1880 and a cheque for the balance due to CD.