Thinks Herbert Spencer has done little service to science but a great service to thinking.
Thinks importance of mathematics overestimated [by J. F. Moulton] in criticising Spencer.
Preparing his book, Animal intelligence [1882].
Spent an afternoon with a spiritualist but did not learn anything.
Lectured on mental evolution in Newcastle.
Has conducted interesting research on locomotor systems of echinoderms.
Sends proofs of Encyclopaedia Britannica article on hybridism [9th ed., 12: 422–6]. Can CD mention authorities who should be cited?
Thanks for copy of W. O. Focke [Die Pflanzen-Mischlinge (1881)].
Has nearly finished paper on locomotor system in echinoderms.
Returns book [W. O. Focke, Pflanzen-Mischlinge]. It was of great use.
Suggests experiment involving light stimulation of plants.
Glad CD thinks experiment worth trying [see 12904]. Has written to John Tyndall for permission to do it at Royal Institution.
Paper on echinoderms written [with J. C. Ewart, "Locomotor system of Echinodermata", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 172 (1881): 829–85].
John Tyndall has provided apparatus for experiment with light.
Frank [Darwin]’s paper a brilliant success [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 18: 406–19, 420–55. Read 16 Dec].
Has got a monkey for observation.
Intends experiment to see if cats released in country can find their way back.
Responds to MS of Earthworms. An objective but arbitrary test of intelligence in animals is the ability to learn from experience. Earthworms fall on the border of intelligence. They could justly be called intelligent if they could learn by experience to manipulate some unknown, exotic leaf. CD should make clear that intelligence does not imply self-consciousness.
Suggests transplanting plant ovaries to test Pangenesis.
None of the cats released in experiment found its way back.
Looks forward to reading CD’s Earthworms.
Agrees that habits of sand-wasp are determined by natural selection.
Experiment of exposing plants to flashing light gives uncertain result.
Only more sensitive seedlings respond to flashing light.
CD’s letter to Times ["On vivisection", 22 Apr 1881] in every way admirable.
GJR to be Zoological Secretary of Linnean Society.
Has decided on arrangement of material for his books Animal intelligence [1882]
and Mental evolution in animals [1883].
Suggests CD delay arrangements for his Linnean Society portrait. GJR thinks John Collier would be willing to paint it.
Has told John Collier to write to CD to arrange for portrait.
Will read [W. Graham’s] Creed of science.
Has got into row with W. B. Carpenter over thought-reading.
Delighted that portrait of CD has "pleased those who are the best judges".
Arranging for vote on vivisection by International Medical Congress.
Asks CD to contribute to symposium on vivisection to be published in Nineteenth Century [10: 920–48].
Not intended to call vivisection article a symposium [Nineteenth Century 10 (1881): 920–48].
Sympathy on death of Erasmus Darwin.
Trying some experiments with bees to test their direction-finding methods.
Thinks CD guilty of mock modesty regarding GJR’s review of Earthworms.
Has been working on echinoderms again with J. C. Ewart.