Gratified to receive Copley Medal. Cannot attend anniversary [of Royal Society]. Would HF receive medal for him?
The plants from the Cape did not show climbing habit in native country; WHH believes it a consequence of their being grown under disadvantages of climate.
Prescribes "syrup of phosphate of iron". Requests a urine sample.
JDH’s "shock" that CD was awarded the Copley Medal.
Oliver, Thomson and JDH independently concur mature tendrils of Dicentra are foliar, though JDH remembers they were axial in the spring. Expects he and CD were fooled, but will have to look again next spring.
Praises CD’s Lythrum paper [Collected papers 2: 106–31].
JDH completing F. Boott’s work on Carex [Illustrations of the genus Carex].
JDH now does suspect Mrs Boott is illegitimate daughter of Dr Erasmus Darwin [see 4389].
Identifies South African species of plants that are normally non-climbers in the wild but climb freely when grown from seed at Glasnevin. Thinks there is probably a gradation in the wild between climbing and non-climbing varieties related to the degree of exposure each particular plant faces.
Is sure that any of CD’s friends would be proud to accept the medal on his behalf.
Has examined his specimens discussed in his previous note and adds further observations.
About buying shares.
Identifies a climbing plant that CD saw at the Society’s gardens.
Sends Living Cirripedia [vol. 2].
Has employed translator for Fritz Müller’s book [Für Darwin (1864)].
Thanks for paper and speech.
Has analysed CD’s urine and suggests he omit the alkaline powders. Continues to prescribe iron phosphate.
CD sends [to the Linnean Society] a paper "On one of the most curious orchids in the world" [read J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 9 (1865): 156–62]. [See 4680].
Prescribes carbonate of ammonia with horseradish. CD is to avoid any magnesia. Recommends CD go without medicine for a time and avoid the "evil habit" of taking too much water.
Has forwarded RT’s paper on Bonatea to the Linnean Society [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 9 (1865): 156–60].
The Oxalis sent by RT flowered but CD has made out only two forms; he thinks there ought to be three, so would welcome more seed.
Observations on Gossypium varieties.
CD’s Lythrum paper has given him as much satisfaction as working out complemental males in cirripedes.
Response to award of Copley Medal.
Letters from Germany and France support natural selection.
Now that climbing plants are done, CD asks for Drosera.
Congratulates CD on the Copley Medal.
JDH is making inquiries for CD on temperate climbing plants.
Discusses politics of Royal Society Council in awarding CD the Copley Medal.
The Copley Medal is considered a great honour, but such things make little difference to CD, except for the several kind letters he received. It shows that natural selection is making some progress.
His health is poor.
Work is crawling on Variation;
occasional botany recreative.
Gives Lyell’s report of conversation with Sabine about the grounds for the award of CD’s [Copley] Medal.
