JDH writes praising Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer's 'Argyle article', referring to the 8th Duke of Argyle [George John Douglas Campbell] a leader of scholarly opposition to Darwinism. JDH states he has always disagreed with Argyle's attitude to Darwin, evolution & coral reefs which is a shame as Argyle has the skill to be a 'first rate naturalist'. JDH blames 'the obfuscation of Scotch metaphysics' & Argyle's family & upbringing. He describes Argyle's strong willed mother & relative poverty & mentions his upbringing by Scottish divinity students. JDH mentions a lost document regarding the Fredenhsborg [Fredensborg] Garden. JDH is anxious about mismanagement of funds at the Royal Horticultural Society. He asks about a matter regarding West Indian soil which will place demands on [Daniel] Morris's time. JDH mentions the need for a typed revision of Steudel's invaluable NOMENCLATOR BOTANICUS SEU SYNONYMIA PLANTARUM UNIVERSALIS & discusses plans for Francis 'Frank' Darwin & Cambridge Press to publish one. He also notes that Steudel omitted over 1,000 species of Lamarck [Jean-Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet] & [Jean Louis Marie] Poiret. JDH sympathises with the eye problems of Harriet [Thiselton-Dyer] & their son 'Georgie' [George Henry Thiselton-Dyer], he wishes he could bequeath them his own, which have withstood many years of orchid dissection. JDH discusses his study of Neottieae. Writes that various members of his family & household have had influenza, JDH has had bronchitis & is taking quinine for it he may also need a change of climate & [Thomas Henry] Huxley has suggested Teneriffe but JDH does not care for it.