CD apologises for his burdensome request of Oliver.

Criticises JDH’s notice on Forsythia, which JDH said was dioecious. Forsythia sent to CD from Kew was heterostylous.

Has received the sheets of EG’s Spanish translation of Origin. Regrets that he cannot undertake to read them because of his health, over-work, and having forgotten much of the language. What he has read seems clearly expressed.

Evidence for inheritance of constitutional diseases like scrofula so good that it seems rash to breed tainted animal.

Experiments given in Cross and self-fertilisation show that evil of inbreeding follows from near relations possessing closely similar constitution.

Size and vigour increased by breeding plants and animals from ancestors that lived some generations under different conditions of life.

Thanks for EK’s book [Werden und Vergehen (1876)].

Regrets he cannot write for EK’s journal, but his son, Francis, may do so.

Suggests EK as editor urge on readers [of Kosmos] the investigation of the causes of variability; why, for instance, do wild Pampas cattle change colour when domesticated? Thinks experiments and observations on recently domesticated animals and cultivated plants would throw light on the subject.

Had found out his error [use of "cleistogenous" for "cleistogamous" in Cross and self-fertilisation] some timeago.

Is now writing on cleistogamic flowers [for Forms of flowers (1877)], and, with it, will have worked up all his old materials on plants. JVC will then have a rest from his labours of translation.

Thanks for specimens [of insects].

Wonders whether difference between male and female plays part in fertilisation of fig.

Flowers of Oxalis sensitiva, sent long ago, are trimorphic and cleistogamic.

Thanks for the reviews, particularly the one in the Times.

CD will be pleased to receive Mr Wallace.

Regrets he cannot permit his name to be used to support WSK’s aquarium project. If WSK decides to set up an aquarium solely for scientific purposes he would consider subscribing.

Sends autograph as requested.

Is "awfully glad" at LD’s appointment [as an instructor at Chatham].

Thinks LD should start reading chemistry "though reading does not do much".

Reports scientific work of George and Frank Darwin.

"Charles Darwin Down, Kent April 2d. 1877; With Mr Darwin’s compliments. – "

Sends MS [of Forms of flowers]. Since sale is likely to be small, Murray may not want to publish it on usual terms. CD thinks it may be his last book and asks Murray to publish it on most favourable terms he can afford.

Thanks for Saxifraga. CD had shown in Insectivorous plants [pp. 345–7] that this genus had some powers of absorption.

Thanks for membership of Zeeland Scientific Society at Middelburg.

Thanks GHL for a copy of his Physical basis of mind [1877].

Discusses locks and window-fastenings, which CD has discovered are not included in the contract for alterations to the house at Down, and a cornice in a passage-way..

CD regrets not being able to see JDH.

"Frank has sent the cards here."

Thanks for ESM’s address ["What American zoologists have done for evolution", Proc. Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. 25 (1876)].

J. A. Allen’s work is important as apparently showing change through direct action of [external] conditions.

CD has given up trying to understand E. D. Cope and Alpheus Hyatt on acceleration and retardation.

CD has sent the pig’s foot to William Henry Flower to examine.