If THF and James Caird [Enclosure Commissioner] approve of enclosed letter, CD will send it to Hooker.

CD’s gardener says not to sow onion seeds until middle of March. Should he risk sowing them at once?

Has returned letter to Caird and dispatched corrected letter to Hooker [11406] [concerning potato experiments].

The strongest argument for the existence of God is the intuitive feeling that there must have been an intelligent beginner of the universe; "but then comes the doubt and difficulty whether such intuitions are trustworthy". CD is forced to leave the problem insoluble. "No man who does his duty has anything to fear, and may hope for whatever he earnestly desires."

Sends JDH a letter he has written supporting James Torbitt’s potato trials.

T. H. Farrer and James Caird think it would be less trouble to get subscription from rich agriculturists than from Government. CD thinks it utopian to hope to raise variety of potatoes from seed; must be propagated from tubers.

Sends FS some specimens of harvesting ants along with the observations of their habits made by Mary Treat. If the facts are new, he believes that Mrs Treat would be gratified by their being mentioned before the Entomological Society. [See 11422.]

Hooker approves of Torbitt’s plan [concerning potato experiments]. Torbitt, wine and spirit merchant in Belfast, highly respectable.

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.