Asks that a copy of GHD’s paper on cousin marriage be sent to Hermann Müller. J. F. McLennan admires it "as a model".

Asks GHD to calculate average or mean heights of crossed and self-fertilised plant species.

Sends Mind. Henry Sidgwick’s article ["The theory of evolution in its application to practice", Mind 1 (1876): 52–67] is so clear it makes CD feel "a muddle-headed man". But he disagrees with Sidgwick on the origin of morality within tribes.

Is sure mathematical discussion of elevation of continents will be valued by geologists.

Comments on the reaction of geologists to GHD’s work on elevation of continents.

Further comments on GHD’s work on the influence of geological changes on the earth’s axis.

Frank [Francis Darwin] has made a fine zoological discovery.

Is determined not to believe in GHD’s astronomical work until J. C. Adams accepts it, for he would be so disappointed if it breaks down.

All rejoice that J. C. Adams thinks well of GHD’s work and will present his paper to the Royal Society.

Gives news of his other sons.

Has received a baffling article on God, immortality, and socialism under a Darwinian point of view.

Clerk Maxwell has disagreed with CD on molecular calculations in relation to Pangenesis in Encyclopaedia Britannica article ["Atom", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 9th ed. (1875) 3: 36–49].

Refers him to Nature [14 (1876): 553] in which a Russian doctor [Prof. Poplavsky] contradicts GHD on deaf mutes not being closely interrelated.

"Frank has sent the cards here."

Has not yet received letter [about Cambridge honorary LL.D.].

Has not yet heard from Cambridge. Thinks perhaps they do not intend to give him the degree.

Sends a query he would like GHD to put to Clerk Maxwell: why does a sponged leaf dry more rapidly, although sponging cannot remove the waxy bloom from the minute pores through which it is secreted?

Is very glad to hear about tides in the earth.

Has given dates [for the Cambridge University honorary degree] to the Vice-Chancellor.

Asks GHD to determine whether there are worm-castings in cloisters of [Neville?] Court.

Enjoyed his visit to Cambridge. Asks for newspaper account of the LL.D.

Thinks he had better not sign GHD’s paper [as a candidate for F.R.S.], since he obviously is no judge of the quality of his work.

Asks if Thomson did not overlook heat generated by the crushing and folding of strata during the refrigeration of the globe.

CD at first thought GHD should not answer Haughton [see 10689], but Hooker thinks if no correction is made Haughton’s error will be quoted for 20 years. CD is now inclined to agree.

CD believes few or none have attributed deaf-mutism to consanguineous marriages.

Asks for sketches of [Thalia] pistil, in which he is much interested.