Did not wish to imply that some leaves are insensitive to light, only that he could not measure their sensitivity. Contraction of roots seems common.

CD cannot find his pincers and other tools for microscopical dissection. Does FD know where he should look?

Hopes FD will feel better after "so complete a change" [trip to North Africa].

Sends his love to George.

Bernard gets more charming every day.

CD has been put on a committee for a memorial fund for W. K. Clifford.

Directs CD where to find tools in his room. Has been looking at agave and aloe flowers. Thanks family for their letters.

Thanks CD profusely for the circular which detailed his and Emma Darwin’s plans to increase their children’s income. Thinks a few hundred really makes the difference for feeling really rich, especially as he now knows how important it is for bankers to have available personal savings.

Frank [Darwin] has found a Trifolium remarkable for "bloom", but it was not in flower. If GHD knows where it grows, could he dig up the whole plant?

Is applying for the Chair of Botany at Edinburgh and asks CD for a testimonial.

A founding member of the Royal Agricultural Society sends information on the specificity of sheep varieties to soil types.

Sends results of the first year’s experiments with the Russian wheat varieties sent by CD [see 11483].

Sleep movements in Oxalis acetosella.

Astonished at circular and will risk revolutions to invest. Describes Blidah, Algeria.

Thanks CD [for his increased allowance?].

Writes of his tour [in Algeria].

Sends family news;

describes what remains of his "menagerie" and tells of his interest in the framework of his son’s German badger-hound.

CD elected an honorary member of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Discusses ASW’s discovery of error in Russian belief about wheat varieties. Suggests that he publish paper in Journal of Royal Agricultural Society. [Results actually published in Gard. Chron. n.s. 11 (1879): 622–4.]

Has read Krause’s "Life of Erasmus Darwin" [Kosmos 4 (1879): 397–424]; thinks it very interesting to anyone interested in "Darwinismus" – everybody.

Is reading Origin on inheritance. Reports case of a man who went bald through illness, whose three sons, all born later, also became bald.

Suggests CD send Kosmos to W. S. Dallas as Krause will surely give his permission for translation.

Asks whether WSD would be interested in translating Ernst Krause’s article on Erasmus Darwin [Kosmos 4 (1879): 397–424] into English.

Report of wild ass crossed with tame one in India.

Glad CD is pleased by his "Erasmus Darwin". Was not able to obtain book by Anna Seward [Memoirs of the life of Dr Darwin (1804)]. Could CD check relevant passages for errors? Would be great honour if CD could arrange English translation. Wants to enlarge essay into book.