Discusses sense of direction of cats and other animals.

Speculates on origin of habit [of insects?] of laying eggs on plants of certain families.

Nature [21 (1880): 382] has an item about tremors and earth movements in Japan.

No one can prove death is inevitable, but the evidence in favour of this belief is overwhelming. It is in the highest degree improbable that man should cease to follow the general law of evolution, and evolution implies successive generations, which implies death.

Gladly turns reading room over to JWCF for his mission work. Through his gospel services there is not a drunkard left in the village.

Leaves decision as to use of his gift to AD.

Thanks JLC for his letter, pedigree, and MS of the history of the Darwin family.

Thanks HWC and the Birmingham Philosophical Society for their address in his honour.

Going to London today to speak to T. H. Farrer about funds for potato breeding experiments. "I have told Farrer I would subscribe £50."

The Colonel [J. L. Chester] is pleased [see 12509].

Jos[iah Wedgwood III] is dying.

[Letter written as a postscript to 11406.] CD has reread his letter of 7 Mar 1878 about the value of James Torbitt’s work on the potato disease and has nothing to withdraw. Emphasises Torbitt’s need for immediate financial help.

Is in town and will call on Sunday morning.

Encloses check [cheque!?] for £50. James Caird will guarantee £75 and T. H. Farrer £25. Above gentlemen think JT should get report on his experiments from independent agriculturists.

P.S. to letter posted that morning. James Caird cannot pledge £75. Erasmus Darwin and Hensleigh Wedgwood will subscribe. May write letter to the Times. Asks for report on experiments.

Thanks for LW’s work [Studien über die Stammesgeschichte der Ammoniten (1880)].

Describes subscription for Torbitt [to continue potato experiments]. Would dislike writing to any paper, but Hensleigh [Wedgwood] and Erasmus [Darwin] advise CD to write to the Times.

Thanks THF for his contribution; now has £170 to permit Torbitt to carry on his experiments. Describes the scale of the experiments and his belief in their value.

Thanks for copy of TLB’s Pharmacology [1880].

Sends funds for potato experiments. Asks for information on progress.

Queries how much land has been used to cultivate potato varieties, and how many seedlings have been raised in any one year.