Comments on AW’s book [Studien zur Descendenz-Theorie (1875–6)], especially on mimicry in caterpillars.

Mentions sets of drawings of British Lepidoptera in all stages. Would AW like to see them?

Asks whether CD has any observations to make on J. R. L. Delboeuf’s article ["Les mathématiques et la transformisme"] in Revue Scientifique [2d ser. 29 (1877): 669–79]. He would be pleased to receive a letter or article for publication.

CD asks if he may call next day for talk.

Has not seen Delboeuf’s article [see 10786] and would be obliged for a copy. He is not likely to have any comments as he is engaged in other work.

Believes CD is in error in his notice on the scarcity of holly berries [Collected papers 2: 189–90] in asserting that holly is not a hermaphrodite.

Thanks for the copy of Orchids.

At Asa Gray’s request, writes what he knows about Pontederia cordata.

Reply to CD’s note ["Holly berries", Collected papers 2: 189–90] from a beekeeper: attributes the scarcity of bees to the harshness of weather in preceding spring.

Sends letter clipped from Manchester Courier on CD’s accounting for scarcity of holly berries by scarcity of bees, and writer’s explanation of latter.

[Samuel] Laurence, having painted the Prince of Wales, now wants to paint another great man; will use a photograph but would like a ten minute interview with CD to mix his tints.

Thanks for essays ["Das Aufschiessen der Runkelrüben", Landwirtsch. Jahrb. Berlin 5 (1876): 31–45; "Die Züchtung neuer Getreide Varietäten", ibid 6 (1877): 193–233]. Surprised about Beta vulgaris.

Is writing Diseases of women [1877]; sends some proof-sheets for criticism.

Remarks on the difference between the sexes in Restionaceae and other subjects – occasioned by reading the introduction [to Forms of flowers].

Wants Francis [Rhodes] Darwin’s address; also asks if CD has heard "the great news".

CD has only a trifling point to make in criticism [of RLT’s excerpt from Diseases of women]: he believes "the high value of well-bred males is due to their transmitting their good qualities to a far greater number of offspring than can the female".

Thanks for new edition of Orchids.

The remarkable papers of Mott on Ernst Haeckel ["On Haeckel’s history of creation", Proc. Lit. & Philos. Soc. Liverpool 31 (1876–7): 41–89].

The part played by carbon in geological changes.

TB is seeking a Government grant through the Royal Society so that he can give up his business and pursue his work on the glacial period; wants CD to support him with a note to Hooker.

Thinks it would be a serious mistake for TB to give up his profession. How the Royal Society will distribute funds is as yet very uncertain, and CD feels that TB may well receive no support as his proposal is too theoretical.

Praise for Cross and self-fertilisation: most important point proved is benefit of crossing between related individuals grown under different conditions. This explains adaptive value of dispersal mechanisms.

JDH discusses his and others’ experiments on survival of seeds. Impressed with resistance of some seeds and rapid decomposition of others. He wonders about "vitality" in the abstract.