Can CMCD provide a photograph of Elston, the birthplace of Erasmus Darwin, with permission to have it reproduced in Erasmus Darwin.

Thanks for sketch of Erasmus Darwin by John Dowson [see Erasmus Darwin, p. iv]; would like to incorporate this information into MS. Previous biographers of Erasmus Darwin had insufficient knowledge of what appeared in his works.

Wants a Cassia identified

and several plants and seeds for experimental purposes.

Sends his photograph as requested.

Notes and a copy of a letter written by ESG to John Dowson of Whitby. Expresses her opinion of the biographies of Erasmus Darwin written by Mrs Schimmelpenninck and Anna Seward.

Cattle and sheep varieties removed from their native soils degenerate rapidly.

Regrets she has none of Dr Erasmus Darwin’s letters. Relates some anecdotes concerning her grandfather.

Discusses information about Dr Erasmus Darwin.

Thanks for information and stories about Erasmus Darwin.

In reply to a query [in Nature 19 (1879): 433] CD reports that vessels full of water were kept on the deck of a ship to discourage rats from gnawing holes in the ship’s water casks.

They have never had any Erasmus Darwin letters.

Sends photographs [of Elston Hall].

Announces his intention to translate and preface [E. Krause’s] sketch of Dr Erasmus Darwin’s life. Asks whether RD has any documents concerning Dr Darwin or letters by him.

CD has written to members of the family for Dr Erasmus Darwin materials and letters. Is apprehensive lest his preface and EK’s essay interfere with one another. Will confine himself to ED’s character and letters;

has begun investigating the influence he had on medical practice.

Sends a book by her uncle, Charles Darwin [1758–78], and recounts some details of the life of her grandfather, Dr Erasmus Darwin.

Sends Dr Erasmus Darwin’s commonplace book, some letters, and poems.

Family news.

Thanks for FHGH’s new book; also for the list of seeds, but he does not want any at present.

Wants to finish revision of MS on Erasmus Darwin before Dallas begins translation. Has discussed possible German edition with Carl Alberts.

Has succeeded in obtaining Assistant Keeper’s post.

Believes it would be interesting and valuable to study the variation in organs such as scent-fans and "strigillating" [stridulating?] organs among related species of Lepidoptera.

Sends drawings of several of Dr Erasmus Darwin’s residences, together with suggestions of sources of other material.

Requests information about a travel route used by their grandfather, Erasmus Darwin. Thanks FG for his help.

CD is "now trying to find out how far the Zoonomia influenced medical practice in England".