Sends congratulations and a teapot on the occasion of JT’s engagement.

Is pleased JT is not giving up on the spontaneous generation question. Feels strongly that subject will not be clear until it is understood how J. S. Burdon Sanderson and others succeeded in getting bacteria in infusions they had boiled for a long time.

JT will not quit the subject [of spontaneous generation] until light is let in on every cranny of the question.

The teapot is exquisite. Louisa says to say "the gift is worthy of the giver. Nothing higher can be said."

Discusses use by correspondent of clichés from one of his books.

Sends forms to be signed so that the trustees of the Down Friendly Society may be properly registered.

Thanks for his election as an Honorary Member

Has sent FM’s letter on to Nature ["Brazil kitchen middens, habits of ants, etc.", Nature 13 (1876): 304–5].

Would be grateful for Ceropegia seeds.

Comments on her new book [A short history of natural science (1876)].

Writes as a trustee of the Down Friendly Society regarding difficulties over the recording of the names of the trustees.

Has signed enclosure [Royal Society nomination for McLachlan] with pleasure.

Writes regarding affairs of the Down Friendly Society.

Thanks CD for letter complimenting her book. Responds to his comments on botany and geology in book.

Inquires whether insectivorous habit in plants supplements or replaces the normal method of plant nutrition.

Asks for identification of a Cineraria which is self-sterile.

Fritz Müller’s letter on Cecropia [see 10384].

Declines invitation to accompany JJW to Crystal Palace.

Responds to CD’s request for the names of species from which Cineraria varieties supplied to him have sprung. [Cross and self-fertilisation, p. 335 n.]

Thanks correspondent for present of book [unspecified].

Sends set of illustrations for Expression marked to show those that could be improved for a future edition.

Sends packets of seeds of peas of different sizes [i.e., weights] for CD’s experiments; identifies size of the seeds that produced them. FG is experimenting "in the same direction" and is curious how his results will compare with CD’s.

Describes self- and cross-fertilisation experiments.

Asks JHG’s advice on setting up an experiment designed to test whether the cause of variation in cultivated plants lies in different substances absorbed from the soil when absorption is not interfered with by other plants in a state of nature. Can JHG suggest how he can get soil free of all the substances which plants naturally absorb?