Glad to hear of Ernst Haeckel’s reception in Vienna.

R. Virchow’s address ["Liberty of science", Nature 17 (1877–8): 72–4, 92–4, 111–13] very arrogant.

Sorry to hear of death of Arthur Lane.

On his discovery of ova of Flustra.

"Pray do not call me Dr Darwin."

Review of Forms of flowers [Nature 17 (1878): 445–7].

It is important that notion of "small antiquity" of the earth be upset.

Sympathises with GJR on dreadful loss [of his sister, Georgina].

Can GJR visit Down?

Onions not yet up.

Asks whether WHF has had time to look at goose’s wing.

Monstrosity of fuchsia sent by GD not uncommon.

Does not recall bats at Galapagos.

Will ask Blair for more [goose] wing specimens.

Encloses report by W. H. Flower on goose’s wing.

Asks RAB to obtain wings from young birds and broken wing from old one. Asks about details of injury.

Regrets that GJR was passed over for membership in Royal Society. Discusses criteria applied by Council.

Would like to have some insect photographs identified; they seem to show pretty and new case of protective resemblance.

Doesn’t know anything about the insects in question, but has sent the photographs on to an expert in London.

Thanks for information [about early evolutionary views of Alexander Braun].

Will be happy to subscribe to support Jemmy FitzRoy Button. Supposes BJS has considered whether it would be a real kindness to educate the boy.

Sends specimens of Russian wheat variety kubanka, which after sowing for two years degenerates into a different variety, saxonka. Suggests that ASW conduct experiments.

Congratulates correspondent on appointment to important post.

Leaving tomorrow for visit [with William Darwin].

Gives a referee’s report on Samuel Haughton’s paper ["Notes on physical geology, no. IV", read 4 Apr 1878; published as "Physical geology", Nature 18 (1878): 266–8]. Believes his estimate of geological time is extremely wild. The conclusion that the interval of time separating the Miocene from the present is greater than that between the commencement of the Secondary period and the Miocene "seems almost monstrous". Recommends the paper not be published in the Proceedings.

Has not studied Geum, but suppression of one sex is not rare in plants.

Thanks for specimen.

Always was sceptical of James Buckman’s experiment; heard afterwards that cruel trick was played on him.

Glad ASW is willing to look into Russian wheat case.