Heliotropic movements. Is giving up experiments until the spring.

Requests some seeds.

Believes the leaves of Phyllanthus sleep like those of Cassia.

Comments on HNM’s book [Notes by a naturalist on the "Challenger" (1879)].

Wishes to subscribe to RM’s translation of Weismann.

Has seen Scudder’s article.

A. R. Wallace’s article ["Animals and their native countries", Nineteenth Century 5 (1879): 247–59] is excellent.

Gives results of the experiments: the leaves in most cases make the water alkaline. It cannot be ammonia. He and his son, Francis, suspect potash, which is valued as a manure. Will be grateful for the analysis EF has offered.

Thanks KA and the other editors of Kosmos for the issue published in honour of his birthday. Sees there is much in it that will interest him greatly.

Thanks ADeB for sending him Botanische Zeitung, but asks him to send it no more, as CD takes it regularly and has procured the volumes from the beginning.

Disagrees with GH over the value of cross-fertilisation.

Encloses HWB’s Royal Society certificate with seven signatures, which CD thinks is ample.

Thanks for birthday greetings.

Can give no information. Has never read works of Aristotle, but has unbounded respect for him as observer.

Thanks AD-P for the gift of part of his Atlas [see 11039].

Thanks for kind letter.

Has not yet read EH’s article in Kosmos ["Einstämmiger und vielstämmiger Ursprung", 4 (1878–9): 360–76].

Rudolf Virchow affair lamentable. Virchow’s conduct inexplicable.

Thanks for honour of latest number of Kosmos.

Has just heard that HM has been treated shamefully by his Government. What has happened?

Discusses heliotropism in plant cotyledons. Asks for information.

Has signed a paper [unspecified];

thanks HW for his interesting letter and kind expressions about himself and his son.

Has been asked to contribute to W. K. Clifford memorial fund. Asks JT’s advice on how much the committee hopes to raise. Would like to give handsomely but feels bound "with such a lot of children, not to be extravagant".

Sends thanks to the Masters for congratulations on his birthday, saying "the approbation & sympathy of one’s fellow-workers in the acquisition of knowledge is the highest possible reward which any man ought to desire".

Thanks for having sent prehistoric remains.