Thanks JvH for admirably illustrated Geology of New Zealand. Will be particularly glad to read about the old glaciers.

Admires extent of cultivation of science in New Zealand.

Has seen newspaper accounts of JT’s potato experiments. T. H. Farrer wants to know whether JT has published any account of them, and how much assistance he needs.

Has written to Torbitt.

Wants seedling of Quercus rubra or Q. coccinea.

CD complains of unfair treatment by EK’s publisher [of Erasmus Darwin, Karl Alberts], who has written that he now does not want the copies of the photographs CD has ordered for him. Is sure that EK will agree that the costs should be deducted from any profits from the sales.

Promises to send an oak.

Wrote to T. H. Farrer about JT’s potato experiments. Would be calamity if JT were prevented from trying successful fungus-proof variety for a few more years.

Discusses the marriage-settlement for Horace and Ida.

Thanks GWJB for work on nectaries ["Anatomisch-physiologische Untersuchungen der Blüthen-Nectarien", Flora (1878): 454–60].

Only a few copies of the photographs [for German edition of Erasmus Darwin] had been printed, so loss will not be great. CD was rather angry when he wrote [12291] "but it is all over now".

Thanks for AW’s work ["Zur Naturgeschichte der Daphniden", Z. Wiss. Zool. 27: 51–112; 28: 93–254; 30 (suppl.): 123–65; 33: 55–270]. CD always interested in adaptations which appear to owe their structure to other causes.

Has not heard from Raphael Meldola for a long time about translation of AW’s Studien.

Encloses a cheque to the Down Coal and Clothing Club.

Has instructed his publisher to send copies of Erasmus Darwin to herself, her sister Emma Sophia Galton, and their half-cousin, Emma Nixon.

Returns completed questionnaire concerning visualising faculty [see LL 3: 177–9]. Thinks age important. Recalls faces of school friends but cannot remember those of people recently met.

Comments on his part [of Erasmus Darwin].

Returns the memorial, signed, expressing concern about proposed renovations at St Mark’s in Venice.

Received enclosed report from Torbitt on potato experiments.

Answers EK’s questions. Sorry to report Erasmus Darwin sold only 600 copies at advance sale.

Thanks for the offer of lending a manuscript relating to his grandfather. It will be of use if a second edition of the Life of Dr. Darwin should appear. Will take the greatest care of them and return them as soon as he has read them.

Describes problems of raising money [for potato experiments]. "A Government official in another office remarked to me that it was very difficult for Ministers to decide what to do in such cases as they must be prepared for mere cavillers in the H[ouse] of Commons."

Thinks W. P. Garrison’s book [extracts from Journal of researches for juvenile readers] would serve as an advertisement for the Journal.

Disappointed at sale of Erasmus Darwin.