Sends CD his answers to W. D. Whitney’s articles. Sees man as separated from other animals by the possession of language. There is no scientific evidence for even the slightest attempt at language in the higher animals, which cannot, therefore, be reasonably regarded as "stunted man". [See "In self-defence", Chips from a German workshop 4 (1875): 473–549.]

Sends sheets of Climbing plants [2d ed.], which will be published in November. Suggests JVC have someone translate it under his supervision,

since he has not yet finished Insectivorous plants.

Admires the appearance of [German ed. of] Journal of researches.

Discusses other publication prospects.

JDH shares CD’s annoyance with R. L. Tait.

Has identified awned carpels for CD.

Sports of Paritium.

Suggests extending Francis’ experiments with glycerine on twisted seeds, to Mimosa.

Will be happy to present RLT’s paper on Nepenthes to Royal Society.

Has decided to send R. L. Tait’s paper to the Royal Society.

Will try glycerine on Mimosa but doubts it will have an effect.

Thanks FMM for his essay [see 10194]. Though some of FMM’s remarks are "stinging", they have all been made "gracefully".

PS concerning Imantophyllum.

Sent a copy of Orchis book to Gentry. Mentions Morley’s article on Diderot. Asks for another copy of the new edition of Descent.

Thanks for information. Absorption of ammonium carbonate by glandular hairs.

Comments on Insectivorous plants, p. 353 mentioning J. J. T. Schloesing’s experiments with carbonate of ammonia [see J. J. T. Schloesing, "Sur l’absorption de l’ammoniaque de l’air par les végétaux", C. R. Hebd. Acad. Sci. 78 (1874): 1700–3].

Reports observations of T. C. Renshaw on how some flowers of the Tritoma catch bees and other insects. Thinks it may be a contrivance against unbidden visitors, as insects caught are not consumed.

Wants CD to contribute to a new magazine to promote theism.

Gives directions for growing plants he has sent and corrects CD’s taxonomy.

It has been empirically established at Kew that insular plants tend to be heteromorphic, plants with entire leaves tending to produce divided leaves.

JT’s tube [of boiled infusion] dated 16 Oct was clear on 19th; on the 20th it was muddy and contained many bacteria in living movement.

Thanks for excellent notice of Chauncey Wright.

Would like a copy of Wright’s "Darwinism in Germany" [Nation 21 (1875): 168–70].

Describes observations by his son Horace on the extreme sensitivity of twisted seeds to moisture.

Has heard that 2d ed. of Variation is out. If CD will send it to him, he will complete the Italian translation in a short time.

His translation of Expression is nearly finished [published in 1878],

and the 2d ed. of Origin is almost entirely published.

Sends a copy of Climbing plants [2d ed.]. Price cannot be higher than 6s.

Variation [2d ed.] price will be 18s, if CD approves. Future reprints will not be costly, since both have been stereotyped.

Encloses manuscript [missing] by George King ["Sport in Paritium", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 15 (1877): 101–3].

Sends thanks to Hooker for correction of name. Mentions other errors.