Has observed the scarcity of humble-bees and subsequently of holly berries this year. But does not think humble-bees ever visit holly flowers, however plentiful they may be.

Thanks for CD’s frank criticism of his views.

Hooker advises him to apply for aid to work out glaciation between Pyrenees and Alps.

Lists misprints in Cross and self-fertilisation.

Sends observations and references relevant to a new edition of Expression.

Suggests CD write to Mr Fisher, a nurseryman, on his experiments with crossing varieties of holly.

Requests permission to use illustrations from F. Müller’s Facts and arguments for Darwin in the new edition [of his Habit and intelligence, 2d ed. (1879)].

CD notes growth of Royal Society may force it to hire officers.

Speculates on cold resistance of bacterial germs.

Will communicate to Royal Society Frank’s paper on the ingestion of solid particles by the protoplasmic protrusions of Dipsacus glands.

CD working on plant dimorphism.

Thanks CD for calling attention to a "considerable error" in his observations on Hottonia fertility [in Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)]. [See Forms of flowers, p. 52.]

Sends his papers [unspecified].

Linnaeus was a "Darwinist" because he placed the simians in the genus Homo.

On Royal Society Council’s deliberations on awards. GJA argues that older men should be given first claim lest they die neglected; CD had stressed importance of encouraging younger men.

Carlyle hoped CD had not been annoyed by that forged letter, which was the reverse of his opinion. [Enclosed is a published extract, said to be taken from a Thomas Carlyle letter, which denies CD’s intellect and regrets his influence.]

JDH recounts discussion at Royal Society over Günther’s paper on distribution and affinities of gigantic tortoises ["Description of the living and extinct races of gigantic land-tortoises, Parts III and IV", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 25 (1876–7): 506–7]. Huxley suggests they are Miocene relics.

Royal Society will publish Frank’s Dipsacus paper [but see 10971 and 11073].

Thiselton-Dyer will review Cross and self-fertilisation.

CD thinks A. Günther’s tortoises are relics of closely allied forms, once widely distributed. Expressed this view to AG a few months ago. Cannot explain their restriction to volcanic islands.

He has defended Tyndall, CD, and others against attacks of a clergyman.

Sends CD parts of the Annales [Soc. Bot. Lyon] in response to his request for a particular article.

States that, despite CD’s work, he does not believe that any plants, including insectivorous ones, can utilise organic material, and that they live solely on mineral elements in the soil and air.

Encloses £25 contribution.

Reports on expression in his Pomeranian dog.

Tells of his pleasure and surprise at reading JWJ’s article ["Darwin’s ""Geological observations"" ", Nature 15 (1877): 289–90].

Sends specimen of Gilia aggregata and will try to get Phlox subulata.

Sends holly specimens. Differences in flowering times of various hollies.

Sends birthday wishes. Album of photographs from German admirers has been sent.

Plans trip to Mediterranean.