Asks whether WED has signed the articles of partnership in the bank.

Has been working at orchid drawings with G. B. Sowerby, Jr.

Discusses business matters relating to WED and the bank.

Tells of a shooting competition at Down.

Has been working hard at orchid drawings with G. B. Sowerby, Jr.

Discusses affairs at Down and Southampton.

Reports events at Down;

has been doing good work on the homologies of orchids.

Discusses stock-brokers; hopes to be able to see WED at Christmas.

Describes in detail his day at home and at the bank in Southampton.

Counted seeds by tens. Sends some.

Would like WED to send a specimen of the unusual plant organ of which he sent a drawing.

Discusses his new microscope.

Discusses WED’s growing interest in botany; would be grateful for certain observations.

Is much concerned about Horace’s illness.

Has sent Orchids MS to printers

and will work a little at dimorphism.

Thanks WED for eyeglass.

Reports on health of Horace and family matters.

Has finished Orchids.

Hooker has written about WED’s going to Kew.

Wants WED to forward dried Malaxis to G. C. Oxenden.

Has been dissecting Viola flowers.

[Letter from Emma Darwin to WED, verso p. 3.]

Found 27 flowers of Orchis latifolia and in 16 of them were dead flies of one particular kind.

Suggests sending plant specimens. Asks about visit of Emma and the boys.

Leonard has scarlet fever; CD is sorry WED is unwell.

WED’s travel plans; an insect he has observed on Orchis maculata.

Discusses dimorphic plants, valerian and Erythraea. Would like to look at them; suggests WED draw up a paper on them.

Reports some observations on the fertilisation of wheat which WED might follow up.