CD asks if he can call tomorrow (Friday) at 9: 30, and offers to come on Saturday if that would suit CL better.

Asks if he may call on Sunday at 10 o’clock.

Requests water-lily pods to count, weigh, and to germinate some of the seeds of the crossed and uncrossed pods.

Hopes Haeckel did not bore him.

Has examined TL’s crossed peas. Observes that in several lots crossed peas are smooth, like paternal stock, not wrinkled like maternal stock. Is this a result of mere variation, peculiar culture, or pollen of the father?

Encloses queries [missing].

Intends planting peas at once if TL approves.

Tells WED of a change in his will.

Expresses gratification that JVC is to undertake new translation and revision of German edition of the Origin.

Has heard many complaints about Bronn’s translation. JVC would be justified in omitting Bronn’s appendix.

Suggests additions and changes, including reference to C. W. v. Nägeli’s Entstehung und Begriff [1865], though he disagrees with it.

Discusses fertilisation of peas by bees. Asks for seeds.

Asks JL to look up a paper by Thomas Hincks on Polyzoa or Bryozoa [Q. J. Microsc. Sci. 2d ser. 1 (1861): 278–81].

[Acknowledges receipt of £252 19s. 2d.]

Thanks JH for his kind invitation to [William Erasmus Darwin, who had inherited the Claythorpe property in Lincolnshire, also managed by JH, from CD’s sister, Susan Elizabeth Darwin?]

Requests roots of two species of Mirabilis for "a curious experiment in crossing".

Has subscribed £10 to Jamaica committee to prosecute Governor Eyre.

Answers some question about species.

Sends biographical sketch.

Now considers that a note on Nägeli would have to be too long to include. Discusses his differences with Nägeli. Cannot believe in spontaneous generation. At present the principle of life seems to him beyond the confines of science.

Will visit Kew on Tuesday [27 Nov].

Has seen the Athenæum and admires his article on beauty ["Feeling of beauty among animals", Athenæum (24 Nov. 1866): 681].

Thanks his correspondent for remembering to send him a woodcock’s leg and informing him that "from a ball of earth attached to the leg of a Red Partridge no less than 82 plants germinated". [See 5287.]

Will call on Wallace tomorrow (Saturday) at 10.

No summary available.