Darwins and Lubbocks wish to continue using the school room as a Reading Room for workers in the winter months and asks Ffinden to support them.
Describes a seance attended by George Darwin and Myers.
Pleased that GHD will help with second edition of Descent. Cautions him not to alter strength of CD’s expression or improve the style too much.
Has been working hard on Mimosa albida. Could JDH ever make its opposite leaflets shut up close, as in sleep, when he irritated them? CD doubts they do, except in sleep. Thinks movement a protection against water.
Has examined only one specimen of Eucalyptus.
Cannot believe JDH’s results from cutting a hole in pitcher in his Nepenthes experiment.
No summary available.
He has noticed that Mimosa albida leaves closed only partially. It can be objected to CD’s theory that, if true, all, or at least more, species would close their leaves on application of water, unless he can show special injury done to M. albida by water.
Discusses hereditary character of hypermetropia. Notes views of F. C. Donders on the subject.
"As the disease hypermetropia is not very rare, & as it is known to be hereditary, I will not give the case (about which I was very doubtful) & am glad to decide in the negative".
Thanks CD for promised observations on his book against evolution [La théorie Darwinienne et la création dite indépendante (1874)].
Will not require assistance of correspondent’s cousin in correcting his MS [2d ed. of Descent]. His son [George] will undertake it.
No summary available.
Wants the Anthropological Society renamed the Ethnological Society. Is trying to raise funds toward payment of the Society’s debt.
No summary available.