The apparent difference in arm lengths of compositors is due to a drooping shoulder. File-makers stand in a peculiar position and call one of their legs the hind leg.
Sends a box of orchids.
Encloses letter from H. B. Geinitz, who declines to handle translation of new edition of Origin. Recommends Julius Victor Carus. Also suggests Gustav von Leonhard as translator for Origin.
Discusses translation of Variation.
Gives CD genus and species names of the singular humming-bird; distressed by specific name made necessary by revised laws of nomenclature.
Sending his paper on tristyly in Oxalis.
Cannot attend botanical congress, where CD will be vice-president.
Caspary wants to visit Down. CD would like to see him but dreads the exertion.
Pleased that JDH will get D.C.L. at Oxford.
Refers to enclosure from Asa Gray
with whom he can talk calmly now that war is over. North had no right to resort to bloodshed.
Startled by CD’s attendance at Royal Society soirée.
Has asked E. B. Tylor to make up questions for consuls and missionaries, through whose wives a lot of most curious information [for Descent?] could be obtained.
Tying umbilical cord has always been a mystery to JDH.
John Crawfurd’s paper on cultivated plants is shocking twaddle ["On the migration of cultivated plants in reference to ethnology", J. Bot. Br. & Foreign 4 (1866): 317–32].
R. T. Lowe back from Madeira.
Memorial to the Chancellor of the Exchequer from the fellows of the Royal, Linnean, Geological, and Zoological Societies of London, stating the importance of separating the administration of the national natural history collections of the British Museum from that of the library and art collections, and placing it in the hands of one officer, immediately responsible to one of the Queen’s ministers.
Acknowledges receipt of £262 8s. 8d.
Had not heard they had suffered so much from the cattle plague in Lincolnshire.
Glad to see Asa Gray’s letter.
Asks whether he may insert a sentence about Cape Verde alpine plants in new edition [4th] of Origin.
Fears "twaddle" may also be the word for his two chapters on cultivated plants. Asks for Crawfurd’s paper.
Has forwarded FH’s paper on Fumariaceae to horticultural congress. Comments on its findings.
Discusses forms of Oxalis.
W. H. Harvey is dead. His loss to science.
Will get a copy of Crawfurd’s paper. It was such trash he tore his up.
His letter to Asa Gray was about his [JDH’s] proof that America will have an aristocracy from interbreeding of wealth, intellect, and beauty; and the lower classes, not having time for politics, will leave them to the aforementioned.
Will be sure to send the Cytisus and Laburnum blooms when they flower.
Has written his Naudin–hybridism article [Pop. Sci. Rev. 5 (1866): 304–13]. Would like CD to criticise proofs.
Will return books borrowed from CD.
Sends plants from France.
J. B. E. Bornet of Antibes, working in G. A. Thuret’s garden, finds Cistus hybrids do not follow the old dictum of having the mother’s foliage and the father’s habit. Bornet is engaged in long-term study.
JTM seeks invitation to Down.
Thanks for information on orchids
and facts on coastal flora and fauna.
Asks FM to look out for dimorphic aquatic and marsh plants.
Has read pamphlets "in our favour" by Carl v. Nägeli and Oscar Schmidt.
Printing [of 4th edition of Origin] nearly complete. Will print 1000 copies which, at present rate of sale, may last three to five years.
Plans to come to Down on 27 May.
Accepts invitation for 23 June.
Sends a sketch of the haricot climbing the shoot of the plum-tree [see 4866].
Hopes to see CD at the [Horticultural] Congress on Wednesday [30 May].
Sends data on movement direction of Wisteria shoots.