Writes at Lindley’s suggestion to ask whether DN can send several orchid specimens. Describes his work in preparation for Orchids.
Returns a letter from a Mr Walsh – "a clear-headed man on my side". What he says about sea trout in lochs would make a good case for CD if borne out by professional ichthyologists.
Homologies of orchid flower vascularisation.
Has read about JPG’s article on the fertilisation of orchids in Annales de la Societé Linnéenne d’Angers [1853], but has been unable to secure a copy. Seeks information about the role of bees in distributing pollen masses and about the varieties of orchids in Angers.
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.
CD sends thanks for many valuable dried specimens [of orchids]. Has been promised Catasetum and some Dendrobium by Mr Rucker; has written also to Lady Dorothy [Nevill].
JDH’s letter on grounds of generalisation in plant morphology.
Faunal distribution and the glacial period.
Orchid homologies.
Lady Dorothy [Nevill] has written very obligingly and sent a lot of orchids.
Declines invitation to visit DN’s orchid collection. Thanks for orchids and list [of available plants]. Requests a few more spikes of Bolbophyllum, particularly of species with irritable labellum.
JDH asked to check Lindley on Acropera.
Transport of an orchid to Down.
Sends notes on fertilisation of Victoria regia tending to show that impregnation with foreign pollen increases productivity of seeds.
Requests more precise details about Oxalis, to which GB referred in his remarks on Primula.
Acropera species may be males of other orchids.
Homologies of ducts in orchids.
Went to British Museum to see Bates’s mimetic butterflies.
Would prefer to have Primula paper published in the Linnean Society’s Journal rather than Transactions.
Remarks about Labiatae, Linum, Oxalis and Viola occasioned by hearing CD’s paper ["Two forms of Primula", read 21 Nov 1861, Collected papers 2: 45–63].
Lists pairs of Oxalis species with differing proportions of stamens and styles.
Requests that DO examine enclosed microscope slides of Acropera ovules, to confirm CD’s opinion that females are non-functional.
Can DO comment on disagreement between Robert Brown and John Lindley over the number of Acropera carpels?
O. Heer’s Atlantis theory vs CD’s hypothesis of a migration north during warm periods.
No summary available.