CD pleased with Huxley for defending him against Sabine. Also pleased with much of Sabine’s address. Is sure JDH wrote the botanical part.

Suggests James Hector observe which insects visit endemic New Zealand plants

and JDH examine distribution of white vs coloured corollas in New Zealand.

Much pleased by Edward Sabine’s address.

Grateful to HF for his interest [in the award of Copley Medal to CD].

Has found incipient stages of adhesive discs in Hanburia tendrils.

Huxley was probably right to have challenged Sabine, but the poor old man is sick.

CD remembers the old Disraeli novel [Tancred (1847)] that sneers at transmutation.

Asks for comparison of otter-hounds’ feet with those of other dogs.

Changes in oysters.

Requests addresses of J. E. Planchon, W. F. Hofmeister and M. J. Schleiden so he can send them copies of Lythrum paper [Collected papers 2: 106–31].

The Copley medal. Sabine’s Presidential Address and Huxley’s response.

Discusses Agassiz’s misrepresentations of his views and J. D. Dana’s "wild notions".

The reception is friendlier from younger scientists in France, and many of the best men in Germany.