Praises FMB’s BAAS address [on embryology, Rep. BAAS 50 (1880): 636–44]. Recent progress of embryology splendid.

In work on plants, astonished at sensitivity of radicle and its power to transmit stimuli to adjoining part; such general sensitivity should be considered in genesis of nervous system.

Feels "malicious" pleasure at FMB’s criticism of Herbert Spencer.

Thanks for letter, which made up for difficulty of his speech [at BAAS meeting, Swansea].

Has met Horace Darwin and wife;

climbed Matterhorn.

Thanks for copy of Movement in plants; CD’s discovery of a "nervous system without nerves" will have important bearing on origins of animal nervous system.