Will help Romanes. Offers Kew’s facilities for experiments. Is writing to the Board [of Works?] about a physiological laboratory, which Sir Philip Joddrell has offered to build. Thinks Government should support original research like Romanes’.

Thanks THH and Hooker for defending George Darwin against Mivart’s libel.

Thanks AD-P for sending his work, not yet received, on evolution [Die neuere Schöpfungsgeschichte (1875)].

Entirely sympathises with CD about Mivart’s attack on George. THH has had a letter from Mivart in which he pleads guilty, but THH has decided there is no patching the matter up. Advises against doing anything unless Mivart takes initiative.

Urges GJR to visit Hooker at Kew.

Encloses note from Huxley and copy of Huxley’s answer to Mivart – a tremendous reproof. On Huxley’s advice, CD will not write to Mivart. Thinks Mivart’s private apology to Huxley makes the case even worse.

THH’s letter to Mivart is "tremendous". CD’s feelings and intentions about the matter.

If THH has made out homology of the skull, it is grandest discovery in years.

Sends capsules with results from Genlisea specimens and fragments of Polypompholyx.

Read AG’s article [see 9753] on longevity and duration of varieties with great interest.

Death of Mrs Hooker.

Hopes Insectivorous plants will be out in the spring.

Comments on review of EH’s Anthropogenie [1874].

Mentions recent work of Huxley and other scientists.

Has gone over Huxley’s letter, thinks it a model. All must now await developments. If Mivart does not apologise, JDH will write to him.

Would like to know the results of CD’s Utricularia experiments.

A Brazilian love-bird, escaped from captivity, has been found in a robin’s nest, apparently starved to death along with three young robins.

Thanks AD-P for the copy of his work [see 9756].

Has not heard from Mivart. He is not so good a Christian as JDH and cannot forgive a man for malicious lying merely because he says he is sorry. Does not think Mivart will apologise. Still thinks the simple, most manly thing, is to write to Mivart directly and tell him what he thinks of him.

Discourages grafting ears of rabbits. Suggests comb of fowl.

Asks JT to persuade Lady Lubbock to change physicians and put herself in the care of Andrew Clark. Thinks this alone will save her.

JT had not known Lady Lubbock was ill. Will try to persuade her [to change physicians]. Agrees Andrew Clark is best.

Hooker has survived his crisis [death of his wife].

St G. J. Mivart’s act is a natural outflow of his character.

States his very high opinion of [JC-B’s?] abilities as judged from his writings and many excellent letters, and his suitability for some post in histology and pathology.

Explains that his letter had to do with how he should act publicly to Mivart if he retracted. He would not forgive him. If he does not retract, it would no longer be possible to keep him Secretary of the Linnean Society.

Drosophyllum will be sent when weather permits.

CD thought he had already reported to DN on Utricularia. The large swellings in roots store water. The minute bladders are adapted to catch live animals and feed on decayed remains.

Will visit DN when in London this winter.