Replies to CD’s inquiry about cross-breeds of strawberries [Collected papers 2: 70]. Has been crossing for years.

Discusses AG’s article ["Dimorphism", Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 34 (1862): 419–20]. Does not like the terms "dioecio-dimorphism" or "precocious fertilisation". Discusses the separation of sexes in plants; cannot doubt that hermaphroditism is the aboriginal state.

Discusses AG’s observations on orchids and his review of Orchids [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 34 (1862): 138–51].

Returns Asa Gray letter. Gray has made a great blunder in his criticism of Oliver: he mistakes perpetuation of a variety for "propagation of variation". Confusion between "action of physical causes" and "effects of physical causes". Neither crossing nor natural selection has made so many divergent individuals, but simply variation. "If once you hold that natural selection can create a character your whole doctrine tumbles to the ground." CD’s failure to convey this, and the false doctrine that "like produces like" is at bottom of half the scientific infidelity to CD’s doctrine. There is something to the objection that CD has made a deus ex machina of natural selection since he neglects to dwell on the facts of infinite incessant variations.

For his work on dimorphism, CD asks WAL if he can send roots of two forms of Epilobium angustifolium. He doubts that they are reciprocally connected like the two forms of Primula, but will try the experiment.

Sends cheque to CD for Down parish charities.

Discusses differences between Asa Gray’s view and his own on crossing. A common effect is the obliteration of incipient varieties. There is heavy evidence against new characters arising from crossing wild forms, "only intermediate races are then produced". Innate vital forces are somehow led to act differently as a result of direct effect of physical conditions. Astonished by JDH’s statement that every difference might have occurred without selection. CD agrees, but JDH’s manner of putting it astonished him. CD says, "think of each of a thousand seeds bringing forth its plant, and then each a thousand … I cannot even grapple with idea". Responds to JDH’s and Lyell’s feeling that he made too much of a deus ex machina out of natural selection. [Letter actually dated 20 Nov but is certainly after 3831.] [wrong field?]

He is going to S. America as captain of a ship. Offers to bring back fossils for CD and B. J. Sulivan.

He is going to domesticate the Patagonian bird "something like a guinea fowl" in Sussex. He shot the only Beagle specimen.

Sends strawberries.

Comments on JH's objections. Hopes to print some of the correspondence in his forthcoming book.

Will send copy of second edition of HH's Essays on Scientific...Subjects (1862). Received letter from HH's friend and former patient Louis Napoleon, who will send copy of Napoleon's book on Gallic campaigns of Caesar.

Encloses account of a meteor seen on the 27th; pass it over to JH's son as it may be useful. Has been making observations on ozone.

Thanks for the perusal of the papers; these show a maturity of thought unexpected in a youth of eighteen. Comments on the moral questions included.

Is the editor of Good Words and is trying to build up the quality of its contributors. Would be grateful if JH could be induced to contribute some articles.

Writes to ask JH to contribute to the living expenses of GM's brother, Adalbart Adolf Mühry.

Writes to invite JH to publish, in the R.S.P.T., his report on William Hopkins's paper on glaciers.

Suggests Albert Marth of Durham observatory as possible assistant to WL. JH's notes and diagram of nebular ring.

Wants JH to write to the Public School Commissioners to express his views on what direction education should take in the public schools, especially JH's views on the teaching of the physical sciences.

Marquis of Bute [J. P. C. Stuart] purchased property of CB's sister [Mary Anne Hollier] in Cardiff. [Charles] Few & Co., managers of property, sent title for CB's and JH's signatures. Sorry that JH was troubled again by pressure from CB's nephews for money.

Requests return of proofs, in triplicate, of JH's report on a paper on stopping cracks in cement.

About some major variations in terrestrial magnetism readings.