Thanks CD for his subscription to the bust in honour of Theodor Schwann.

Has forwarded what he believes to be a new species of Solanum.

He has been working hard at Kew for two days.

Sends photographs showing expressions in a young boy.

Requests support for his appointment as Superintendent of Epping Forest.

Working on a book [Australasia. Stanford’s compendium of geography and travel, edited and extended by A. R. Wallace (1879)].

Apologises for his error over the Solanum.

Thanks CD for his good wishes; JT believes he will increase yield and disease-resistance by his crossing and selection.

Drosera species vary in form depending upon conditions. Send specimens

Inquires about a rumour that CD or Francis Darwin is preparing a new book on the "Power of inheritance".

Tells CD of his new periodical: Zoologische Anzeiger.

Sends fruit of date-palm which has not been impregnated by pollen from a male.

Has read Origin, which "puts everything straight".

Sends an example of natural selection: survival of water-buffalo eating Indian corn submerged by flooding might depend on how long animal could keep nose under water. Encloses measurements of this behaviour.

Thanks for CD’s support for [Epping Forest] appointment. Doubts about the proposed management.

Forwards a copy of the Student’s Magazine, which contains the first of a series of articles on CD and his work.

Thanks CD for his efforts to get HM’s book, Die Befruchtung der Blumen [1873], translated into English. [See Fertilisation of flowers, translated by D’Arcy W. Thompson, preface by C. Darwin (1883).]

Will soon return to his observations on insects in general and bees in particular.

Frank asked to summarise work with CD for use in JDH’s Royal Society address.

Work with A. Gray shows Colorado plants closer to Altai than to E. or W. America.

Work with J. Ball shows Moroccan plants very distinct from nearby Canaries.

JDH on Royal Commission to Paris Exhibition.

Thanks CD for writing machine.

Recalls visit by CD’s son [Francis].

Describes findings of examination of geese with abnormal wings. Says old gander that sired geese is without injury or abnormality. Encloses his assistant’s report.

Botanical evidence is against F. B. White’s origin of St Helena fauna. JDH holds flora is S. African. Since plants must arrive before insects, if fauna is Palearctic then flora survived glacial period. Flora not Miocene since old and relic orders are absent. Suggests S. African west coastal mountains as insects’ origin.

Forms of flowers, translated by Édouard Heckel, is published.

Cross and self-fertilisation has only sold 450–500 copies.

Origin sells regularly; he looks forward to a cheaper edition.

Forwards letter from Victor Kennedy reporting on the growth of JT’s potatoes in W. Ireland.

Recounts the experiments on Fechner’s law he has found in Helmholz; they are on the smallest perceptible differences of illumination. Describes how to test whether plants’ responses to lights are in accordance with it.