Apologises for sending wrong Cross and self-fertilisation erratum. The error is on p. 191 (where "cross-seeds" appears, it should read "self-fertilised"). There is no error on p. 275.

Had found out his error [use of "cleistogenous" for "cleistogamous" in Cross and self-fertilisation] some timeago.

Is now writing on cleistogamic flowers [for Forms of flowers (1877)], and, with it, will have worked up all his old materials on plants. JVC will then have a rest from his labours of translation.

Forms of flowers will soon be published and is not a long book.

Does not suppose he will publish any more books, "though perhaps a few more papers". He "cannot endure being idle, but Heaven knows whether I am capable of any more good work".

Erratum JVC sent was due to a printer’s error after he had seen last proofs.

Thanks JVC for correcting a bad blunder in Forms of flowers.

His health fairly good; has been able to work "pretty hard".

Thanks JVC for a correction [for 3d German edition of Variation]. He is the most accurate translator that ever lived.

Neither he nor [Francis Darwin] intends publishing on inheritance.

They are working on physiology of plants [Movement in plants], but will not print for a year.

Thinks JVC’s new journal [Zoologische Anzeiger] will be of great use to students of zoology.

Gives an account of his publication plans for his and Ernst Krause’s Erasmus Darwin.

CD has never even dreamed of publishing his own autobiography.

Is now working, with Francis, on plant movements.

MS of Movement in plants in final stage. Fears it will displease many German physiologists. It is an attempt to bring all the diversified movements of plants under one general law or system.

Sends sheets of Movement in plants for translation, if JVC sees fit. It has some value and novelty, CD believes, but is very dull.

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].

Very pleased by JVC’s note about Movement in plants. Feared he would find it intolerably dull. Some missing sheets are being replaced. Also sends a perfect copy.

Thanks JVC for corrections of Movement in plants. Sends a clarifying sentence.

Earthworms nearly done – "a small book of little moment".

Reports his health is better than it was, "but I have little strength & feel very old".

Ernst Krause wishes to publish a section of Earthworms in Kosmos. CD has consented. Hopes JVC will not object. He feels under obligation to Krause.

CD will soon finish corrections [of Earthworms] for printer, and then clean sheets will be sent to JVC for translation of the book and to Ernst Krause. The subject has been a "hobby-horse" with CD, and he has perhaps treated it in foolish detail. Has told Krause he does not think any part of the MS suitable for Kosmos, but Krause must decide.

Delay in publication [of Earthworms] vexes CD, as he likes to throw a subject off his mind.

Sends corrections ("two bad errata & a blunder") in Earthworms, which is selling well in England.

Sends some additions and corrections he has made in the 5th thousand, [of Earthworms] now being printed.

Thanks JVC for his corrections of "stupid errata" [in Earthworms]. Explains, in answer to JVC’s query, that he has used the word "humus" as the equivalent of vegetable mould.