Sends his paper on Ophrys insectifera, translated into German by H. G. Reichenbach [Abh. Kais. Leopold.-Carol. Dtsch. Akad. Naturforsch. 33 (1870) no. 3], which shows the intermediates between O. aranifera and O. apifera. He has since gathered information on variation in Ophrys.

JLGK’s public advocacy of Darwinism brings him into numerous arguments.

Thanks for the three essays: although they are beyond his scope, they seem to him very interesting.

HE’s facts about the Mexican ant [Myrmecocystus mexicanus] are "most wonderful & interesting".

Sends sodium carbonate for Drosera experiments. Will try to determine what the solvent is.

Thanks EF for his offer of assistance. Could the viscid secretions [in glands of Drosera] contain pepsin? Will the sodium carbonate render the testing of organic matter difficult? [See 8979.] Will send the fluid in a fortnight.

Sends a bottle containing fish which Lord Arthur Russell had promised to send.

Is going to Switzerland, so analysis of Drosera washings will be delayed. Agrees with CD that solvent is probably pepsin.

Agrees to delay sending the fluid [from the glands of Drosera] until early October. Will try suggestion about pepsin. [See 8981.]

Comments on ability of recipient to move his scalp.

Asks CD to meet with Dr Wild to discuss the Westminster Review, which CD has supported.

Quotes from Alexander Kennedy on Maori observations on competition between native New Zealand birds and introduced bees for nectar of tree blossoms.

JVC’s travel plans in England. Hopes to visit CD.

He will repeat the experiments in which CD found that formic acid vapour killed seeds [see 8866]. John Lindley describes effects of other acids on germination.

He has tabulated the large amount of variation in English Ophrys apifera.

Sends a letter from J. D. Hague confirming his earlier observation [see 8788] of frightened behaviour of ants when they come upon dead ants. CD had asked for confirmation because J. T. Moggridge had suggested that the ants’ behaviour was alarm at the scent of the observer’s fingers.

CD has clarified the way to conduct the formic acid experiment.

Thanks for Études sur la coeur et la circulation centrale dans la série des vertébrés (Studies on the heart and the central circulation in the vertebrate series; Sabatier 1873).

Describes his recent work on Drosera digestion of organic materials, e.g., albumen and gelatin. Edward Frankland has given CD a rough test for pepsin. Some plant extracts cause as much inflection as meat. Has found some reversible inflection with heat and perhaps some heat rigor. Has measured the extreme sensitivity of Drosera with very dilute solution of ammonium phosphate.

A hasty answer to CD’s letter [8987] of 25 July. Mentions Dr Osler’s observations on behaviour of colourless blood corpuscles in solutions of sodium and potassium salts of same strength.

Reports in detail on her experiments with Drosera. Finds she was mistaken in thinking D. filiformis captured only small insects.

His preliminary results with formic acid show that it inhibits germination of several kinds of seed. It also inhibits growing of mildew, which he speculates may facilitate germination.