Thanks JDH for his and Huxley’s countering of the false attack on George [Darwin] by Mivart. Encloses a note to Mivart on which he asks JDH’s opinion.

He has examined Hoya flowers with Bentham and Oliver, but they are not satisfied about the five processes alternating with the sepals. [See Forms of flowers, pp. 331–2.] Sends specimens of plants.

Babington’s surprise at JDH’s advocacy of Darwinian views at Norwich [BAAS meeting].

Criticism of the behaviour of the trustees of the British Museum [in the Challenger affair].

Plans to write an account of his trip to Morocco and, with John Ball, the botanical geography, for Linnean Society.

Results mainly negative; the Atlas exhibits "the dying out of European flora".

Only two or three beetles above 8000ft.

Disappointed that Canary Island species are absent from Atlas mountains; but an ocean current along Moroccan coast should help migration of Spanish, Portuguese, and Moroccan seeds to Canaries and Madeira.

Describes Lyell’s poor physical condition. Asks CD for his observations of symptoms.

Mourns death of Lyell. Wonders whether enough men of science were attached to him to raise a fitting testimonial.

Has come to Abinger Hall for a rest after Insectivorous plants, soon to appear. Is sick of the accursed subject.

Thiselton-Dyer’s appointment has come.

Wants to discuss insectivorous plants and get some experiments going.

Rejoices at [Thiselton-Dyer’s] appointment.

Solicits JDH and others at Kew for signatures to nomination of Francis Darwin for membership of Linnean Society.

His appreciation of Insectivorous plants, especially Utricularia section.

JDH will arrive by train on Saturday.

Will be delayed on Saturday because of unveiling of a monument to Sir J. Franklin at Westminster Abbey.

JDH reports his battle with Lord Henry Lennox over whether to locate new Herbarium on the Queen’s or public part of Garden.

Shares Hooker’s feelings about Douglas Galton and Lord Henry Lennox.

Bored with preparing new editions.

R. L. Tait has requested CD send his [Tait’s] paper on Nepenthes to Royal Society. CD considers this a nuisance.

Certificate for G. J. Romanes.

Francis’ experiments on mechanism of twisted seeds.

JDH shares CD’s annoyance with R. L. Tait.

Has identified awned carpels for CD.

Sports of Paritium.

Suggests extending Francis’ experiments with glycerine on twisted seeds, to Mimosa.

Has decided to send R. L. Tait’s paper to the Royal Society.

Will try glycerine on Mimosa but doubts it will have an effect.

Gives directions for growing plants he has sent and corrects CD’s taxonomy.

Describes observations by his son Horace on the extreme sensitivity of twisted seeds to moisture.

Comments on Hermann Müller’s article on the structure of Gunnera flowers.

JDH concerned about preparations for [his address at] Royal Society [anniversary] meeting [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. (1876): 72–94].