Is sending a copy of [John] Shaw’s book, which Lady Bell says is based on Charles Bell’s papers [possibly C. Bell, A treatise on diseases of the urethra, 3d ed. with notes by John Shaw (1822)].

CD must decline his correspondent’s kind offer [unspecified], but he is out of health and has passed the part about dogs in a work now at the printer’s [Variation].

Agrees to publish German edition of Variation.

Discusses publication of third German ed. of Origin.

Thanks CD for portrait.

At the request of his sister, Marion Bell, he sends a copy of his essay on the nervous system. It contains a view of the development of the animal kingdom in illustration of Charles Bell’s classification of the nerves. Human powers are held to be more dependent upon the structure of the mouth than that of the hand.

Observed expression in her baby for CD.

JDH writes to Asa Gray regarding Alphonse De Candolle [ADC] & his endorsement of Muller creating eponymous synonyms every time he adjust the limits of a species [see also JDH146]. Also comments on ADC's responsibility for the PRODROMUS SYSTEMATIS NATURALIS REGNI VEGETABILIS & on his opinion of ADC as a weak, vain man. Discusses his own recently completed work organising the order Cornaceae [for GENERA PLANTARUM] with reference to: a Himalayan Nyassa he found in Sikkim & Khasia, also mentions Benthamia, Garrya, Bursinopetalum, Mastixia, Torricellia, & Leranthaceae being relegated to Santalaceae. Cucurbitaceae are being printed & [George] Bentham is working on Umbelliferae & Araliaceae. JDH has been nominated for the Presidency of the British Association in Norwich, he fears it will interfere with his plans for an American trip. JDH & [Thomas] Thomson are to be jurors at the Paris [International Horticulture] Exhibition. Discusses the link between class & politics in Britain, predicts the future of political influence in the United States of America & points out the lack of representation of the British lower classes & aristocracy alike in the USA press. Notes that people & the press are more apt to complain about small problems, recently it was snow preparedness in London & bad ferry service in New York. Settlement of the 'Herbarium' affair & consequent payment will allow JDH to stay on in his position at Kew. Darwin is working hard at his 'big book' [THE DESCENT OF MAN[?]]. JDH wants to be informed about the progress of a young man who wrote an article on Agassiz.