Circular letter regarding the distribution of CD’s excess income, with a note addressed to W. E. Darwin concerning his handling of Elizabeth Darwin’s share.

Thanks his children for their present of a fur coat.

Enjoyed his visit to Down.

Thanks FD for criticisms [of Movement in plants]. J. D. Hooker was interested in the observations of movement in Desmodium.

Are there old furrowed fields on hillsides in N. Wales, if so can FD look for earthworm activity?

Discusses corrections [to Movement in plants]. Has dispatched chapter nine.

Dispatches a chapter [of Movement in plants] for FD to look over.

Thanks for information about the property in question [Tromer Lodge, see 12842]. His father, Robert Ainslie, had protested a settlement made in an earlier transaction.

FD’s abstract ["Physiology of plants", Nature 23 (1880): 178–81] is excellent, and as clear as daylight.

The Duke of Argyll has written to Gladstone in support of a pension for A. R. Wallace.

About the distribution of [surplus income] funds among the children.

Copies of FD’s paper have arrived ["The theory of growth", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 18 (1881): 406–19]. Does he want them dispatched?

Some papers have arrived for FD.

Comments on the work of Phillipe van Tieghem who evidently knows nothing of insectivorous plants.

Leslie Stephen’s visit to Down went off well.

Thanks FD for his excellent corrections [to MS of Earthworms].

Is sending chapter [of Earthworms] for FD to look over.

Comments on FD’s work on movements of mould.

Is glad to hear about Julius von Sachs and the circumnutation theory.

Sends further chapters of Earthworms for correction.

Dispatches chapters six and seven [of Earthworms].

Asks for any opinions on V. Hensen and his book, Physiologie der Zeugung [1881], which seems interesting.

Thanks FD for corrections [for Earthworms].

Discusses experiments on absorption in Drosera.

CD looks forward with dread to future as he does not have the strength to begin any new subject requiring much work.

Plans to look again at the absorption by roots and root-hairs.

Has taken almost all FD’s corrections for chapter six [of Earthworms]. Is glad FD approves of the book.