Thanks for gift of Movement in plants.

Plans botanical research in Brazil.

Hermann von Jhering is conducting experiments on snakes.

WB obliged to work as newspaper correspondent.

Plans breeding experiments on dimorphic plants.

Describes his collections and research on Brazilian insects, especially Orthoptera. Comments on insect phylogeny.

Has just read CD’s book on worms and is finding tower-like worm-casts, as CD described, in Alpes-Maritimes. Relates case of garden worms and moles.

Writes on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury to invite CD to a private conference organised in an attempt to reconcile science and religion. [Enclosed is a printed two-page memorial calling for such a conference.]

Regrets CD is unable to attend proposed conference [see 12918]. Would like his opinion on why it is not desirable.

Announces the resolution passed by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s conference of 7 Jan 1881.

Announces intention to hold a private conference with the Archbishop of Canterbury with the aim of encouraging men of science to reaffirm their religious beliefs and also to publish a series of articles in the Contemporary Review on the state of the various sciences.

Sends proofs of lectures he intends to reprint as a book [The Bible and science (1881)]; asks CD if he would check one for errors.

Forwards the preface to his book [see 12999] and comments on the effect of the Bible on science.

Thanks CD for a copy of Earthworms.

Thanks CD for his offer of assistance to David Ferrier.

Discusses CD’s earthworm book.

Tonsils in man as rudimentary organs.

Writes regarding subscription to set up the Science Defence and Advancement Fund to protect investigators from anti-vivisectionists and to promote knowledge of the purpose and importance of vivisection.

Writes regarding the form which the proposed Science Defence Association should take and encloses a draft of proposed resolutions.

On the effects of a mother’s imagination on a new-born child. Reports that a hen, startled by an alarm clock, laid eggs with clock faces on them.

Has spoken to Wallace to see if reluctant to accept a Government pension. He would accept if CD and Huxley believe it justified. Encloses details of Wallace’s efforts to obtain a position as naturalist and his claims for a pension.

Thanks for news about Wallace memorial; excellent names on it give hope of success.

Mentions Alfred Haddon, an acquaintance of hers who might call on CD.

Congratulates CD on success of memorial; agrees he should be the one to tell Wallace.

Announces CD’s election as a Corresponding Member.

Asks CD for reference to the edition of Kosmos that contains the original of Ernst Krause’s article on Dr Erasmus Darwin. There are serious differences between the translation by W. S. Dallas and the Feb [1879] article by Krause on which CD, in the preface to Erasmus Darwin, says it was based. SB notes in particular that the concluding sentence of the translation, which is clearly aimed at [SB’s] Evolution, old and new, is not in the original. Since readers will assume the text of Erasmus Darwin was written before his book appeared, SB asks for an explanation.

SB has decided to lay the matter [the subject of 12393 and 12396] before the public and has written to the Athenæum stating the facts. [Athenæum 31 Jan 1880.]