Hive-bees captured in tubes of nectary of Tritoma. Seems a maladaptation of the bees.

Has read WEG’s article ["The colour sense", Nineteenth Century 2 (1877): 366–88] on H. Magnus’ view. Informs him of a criticism of this view and reply by Magnus in Kosmos. Offers to send the article.

CD has contributed some facts on the difficulty children have in distinguishing colours (or naming them correctly).

Encloses his marriage present, which he fears Sara [Darwin née Sedgwick] will think "atrociously unsentimental", but he hopes useful.

Approves terms used in LAE’s manuscript. Discusses relative advantages of self-fertilisation and cross-fertilisation.

Thanks LAE for pointing out erratum [in Cross and self-fertilisation].

Is glad to hear R. B. Litchfield is better.

Discusses William Darwin’s engagement to Sara Sedgwick.

About 150 copies remain of Forms of flowers.

Thanks CD for present of £300.

CD’s opinion of a specimen sent by JBI from an unknown tree, and the Ross-shire tale about it.

Gives permission to translate Expression.

Wants seed with large cotyledons to test for sensitivity and movement.

Speculates that the function of "bloom" is to prevent evaporation.

Raised CD’s question about the geographical distribution of glaucous plants at recent botanical meeting.

Thanks CD for acknowledging receipt of JDC’s book The antelope and deer of America [1877].

Castration suppresses deer antlers.

Thanks for information, which will be useful if CD ever brings out a corrected edition of his book [Forms of flowers].

AdeC’s two letters on bloom will be very useful; his remarks on evaporation and absorption seem very just. CD has made few experiments as yet. The investigation has been tedious and difficult.

CD has made clear that in Cross and self-fertilisation he had not intended to suggest that autogamie (fertilisation of a flower by its own pollen) is superior to gitonogamie (fertilisation of a flower by one on the same plant).

Sends article and photograph of abnormally hairy family.

Mentions death of his student, Rudolf von Willemoes-Suhm.

Thanks GdeS for communicating his discovery. It is especially important at a time when several naturalists have declared that development occurs quite suddenly at intervals. Joseph Le Conte in N. America urges that even new families and orders are developed within an extremely short period.

Movements in cotyledons; outlines tracing technique. [A tracing of movements of red cabbage cotyledon enclosed.]

Another issue of Origin will be needed for Murray’s annual sale. Has CD any corrections?

Asks whether CD considers it possible that a mollusc could poison anyone on contact, as RD has heard from missionaries about a certain South Sea variety.