On colour changes in rabbits. Suspects JBI’s is of impure origin.

Is correcting proof of Insectivorous plants.

Notes absence of material on fossil coral reefs in CD’s 2d edition [Coral reefs (1874)]. Has been collecting specimens from a fossil reef near his home for four years; gave many to Oxford.

A letter introducing T. F. Burgers, President of the Transvaal Republic.

Would like to call on CD if convenient.

Proposes that TFB visit in about a week; at present CD is unwell.

Discusses Vivisection Bill.

Sends his paper to show his priority over John Le Couteur. Claims discovery of the "law of development" of cereals.

CD has misplaced the annual audited balance sheet for the Down Friendly Society and wonders whether he has sent it to his correspondent in error.

Thanks FFH for his note and enclosure [see 9982]. Quotes from Le Couteur [On … wheat (1836)?] to justify statements made in Variation [1868].

Lyon Playfair’s bill [on vivisection] is unacceptable to all teachers of physiology. It prohibits dissections for demonstrations to students. He will have to repudiate it. Asks CD’s advice.

Insists that he, not Le Couteur, was the first to recognise and exploit variation within wheat varieties. Disturbed he was not acknowledged in Variation.

CD believes Playfair’s bill would not restrict demonstrations under anaesthetic.

The Government has decided to hold a Royal Commission on vivisection with Lord Cardwell as chairman.

Believes Lyon Playfair has been led to compromise too far on bill about animal experimentation as a result of pressure from men wishing to suppress science. A full enquiry is to take place. [See 9987.] Suggests that CD send Playfair Huxley’s letter on the subject.

Discusses the price to be charged to Appleton’s for the plates of Insectivorous plants.

Replies to CD’s various questions and suggestions concerning publication plans for Insectivorous plants.

Thanks AD for his Ursprung [der Wirbelthiere (1875)], which astonished CD. AD’s views, if accepted by competent authorities, will show how much we have to learn about the history of every animal. Suggests caution on "degradation principle". Comments on other views in the work. Has long seen importance of the principle of "Functionswechsel" [transfer [change!?] of function], but never enunciated it as a distinct principle.

Reports some details of the geological tour he took with Sedgwick in North Wales in 1831. Recalls how neither he nor Sedgwick saw the obvious signs of past glaciation.

The insect-capturing Araujia has been forwarded from Portugal.

He discovers Apocynum is not in the same family, and he has misquoted [John Leonard Knapp’s Journal of a naturalist (1829)]; Apocynum captures by stamens, not stigma.

Sends seeds of Portuguese Drosera.

A set of electros of the woodcuts to Variation was sent to an Italian publisher in 1869, but no reply or payment has been made since then.