Authorises publication of a Bohemian edition of Origin.

CD gives his opinion on how the physiological laboratory at Kew should be equipped. It would be a pity if the laboratory were not supplied with as many good instruments as their funds could provide.

Thanks for second lot of Aegilops seed.

Discusses sterility of potato flowers.

Asks how much aid JT requires [for potato experiments].

Asks RM to send a copy of the Entomological Society’s Proceedings to Fritz Müller.

Asks her to observe seedlings of Neottia breaking the surface to see whether the flower stems grow straight up or form arches, and whether they secrete water that softens the surrounding ground.

CD and Frank think they have proved that function of plant sleep is to protect leaves from injury by chilling radiation. Requests plants for experiment to determine whether underside of leaf is hardier than upper.

James Caird does not think Torbitt’s success justifies application to Government. Torbitt has four acres planted with seedlings. Has sent back CD’s £100. Shall CD insist that he keep it?

Thinks RM may like to see the enclosed [Fritz Müller letter].

Thanks FM for letter of 22 Feb [not found] on Lepidoptera. Will send it to Entomological Society to be read. FM’s earlier letters produced best discussions of the season.

Thanks for seeds of Viola.

He and Francis [Darwin] are at work on biology of seedling plants and wish to observe how the flowers penetrate the earth.

The Pontederia did not germinate, probably pressed too much [in post].

Pleased that WN wishes to dedicate his book [Oregon: there and back (1878)] to him.

WN’s move from Down irreparable loss to the village.

Studying geotropism.

Experiments using exposure to frost to study nyctitropism are difficult to perform because species vary in frost tolerance.

Does not believe that nature of milk can affect character of child.

Facts about starling very curious, but CD now absorbed by vegetable physiology. Not likely to attend to animal minds again.

Wishes to contribute to the memorial for Claude Bernard, but first wants to be assured that, in his experiments, Bernard was not reckless with respect to the suffering of animals.

Thanks THF and James Caird for their assistance. Will send back the £100 to Torbitt.

Sends £100 to JT. T. H. Farrer and James Caird think they can get another £100 next year [for potato experiments].