Regrets he cannot hear lecture by F. C. Donders.

Hopes to see WB before he returns home.

Comments on FD’s discovery – "if it so proves". It will be important to see whether the protoplasm oozes through the cell-walls [of Dipsacus] or whether it can be withdrawn.

Thanks MT for her article ["Is the valve of Utricularia sensitive?", Harper’s New Mon. Mag. 52 (1875): 382–7]. Does not understand why he failed to detect movement [in Utricularia], but it appears from her observations that the valve is sensitive.

‘Your mother ought indeed to feel proud that she had two sons such true naturalists as you and your brother [John Jenner Weir].’

Looks to FD’s "grand discovery" as almost certain. Suggests observations.

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.

Thanks for essay [Philosophische Consequenzen der Lamarck–Darwin’schen Entwicklungstheorie (1876)].

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.

Joseph Fayrer can supply cobra poison.

Discusses vivisection.

Mentions visit to the John Hawkshaws.

No summary available.

CD has quite given up the marine theory [of Glen Roy] and has accepted glacier lakes. "Nothing makes me gnash my teeth so much as that confounded paper of mine." It is a lesson "never in science to infer one explanation is right because no other one seems possible".

Response to ARW’s "grand and memorable work" [Geographical distribution (1876)]. Most interesting part to CD is ARW’s "protest against sinking imaginary continents".

Requests chemical analysis of sample of both natural and burnt soil.

Gratitude for the invaluable assistance. Is disappointed that natural soil is richer than burnt. Problem of securing sufficient chemically pure soil to test growth of plants.

Thanks for kindness in organising special train for Caroline Sarah Wedgwood when she was taken ill.

CD thanks the editor of a picture book "for … the photographs of your striking pictures, & for the honour which you have done me by the introduction of my name and likeness into one of them".

Thanks for his interesting essay on insectivorous plants.

Describes discovery by his son [Francis Darwin] of protoplasmic filaments extending from small glands in the leaves of Dipsacus [see Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 26 (1877): 4–8].

No summary available.

Further detailed comments on Geographical distribution.

Base treatment [of George Darwin] by Mivart in Quarterly Review [137 (1874): 40–77].