F. C. Donders has been to lunch – a good "Darwinian"!

JDH’s speech of resignation [as BAAS President] at Exeter was charming [Rep. BAAS (1869)]. JDH should have been an ambassador.

Has received Indian census.

Is unusually well.

Asks JDH to consult colleagues learned in physiology for answer to query: when a large piece of bark is removed from a tree, does the bark ever regrow in isolated points [separate] from the growing margin of the surrounding bark? Query bears on Pangenesis and on power of repair in plants.

Is annoyed that a new French edition of Origin [1870] has been prepared without making use of the corrections CD made in the 5th English edition [1869].

Sends letter from Candolle [6915] proposing an experiment with seeds that seems excellent. CD has little time and strength but will do his best. If the staff at Kew could do it, it would be wisest to hand the whole lot over to JDH.

Writes, as county magistrate, in an attempt to get payment from the Club for a Mr Reeves.

Cautions FD about fluid in labellum of Coryanthes.

T. H. Farrer is enthusiastic about FD’s papers.

Believes humming-birds fertilise many American flowers.

Mentions his reply to FD’s criticisms ["Pangenesis: Mr Darwin’s reply to Professor Delpino", Sci. Opin. 2 (1869): 426; Collected papers 2: 158–60].

Suggests that FD study fertilisation of Gramineae.

Congratulates JDH on his becoming a C.B.

Hard at work on sexual selection – weary of everlasting males and females, cocks and hens.

Has read J. H. Stirling vs Huxley on protoplasm [As regards protoplasm (1869)]

and E. B. Tylor on survival of old thoughts in modern civilisation.

Bentham’s Linnean Society [Presidential] Address [see 6793] is worth its weight in gold in making converts. C. J. F. Bunbury is impressed by it.

Likes JDH’s review of K. F. Schimper’s work [Paléontologie végétale, in Nature 1 (1869): 48].

Glad to know about C.B.

Thinks better of Nature than JDH does.

Likes Academy.

Is reading Anton Kerner on Tubocytisus [in Die Abhängigkeit der Pflanzen von Klima und Boden (1869)].

The genealogical tree reveals the very steps of the formation of the species.

Mlle Royer has brought out a third edition of her translation of the Origin without informing CD, so corrections to fourth and fifth English editions are lost. Has arranged for a new translator of the fifth English edition.

Sends title of Kerner’s book [see 6997] and comments that AK does not give the one parent form of the genus.

Not willing to sit for photographer again.

ABM’s translation of Wallace’s Malay Archipelago has not yet arrived.

Sends engraved plates with instructions about illustrations for Descent.

Apologises for passing on what he agrees were offensive remarks in V. Lushington’s letter. Has told VL he had no right to make them. Asks THH to make allowance for red-hot disciples defending the master.

Thanks for specimen of Drosophyllum.

Describes capacity of various plants to catch flies.

Cannot name fern specimen.

Laugher pigeon descended from Columba livia.

Discusses tailless dogs.

Believes astronomical phenomenon responsible for oscillation of level of earth’s crust.

Would WCT like copy of Orchids?

Expected plants [Drosophyllum] have arrived.

ARW’s review of 10th ed. of Lyell’s Principles [see 6684] is admirable.

But he differs "grievously" with ARW on man. CD sees no necessity for an additional and proximate cause.

Referee report on paper by Richard Spruce on sacs in Melastoma [see 6690]. CD says RS’s suggestions that sacs are inherited is not supported and should be deleted.

Would be glad to send GRG a testimonial of his abilities as a naturalist, but is not qualified to express opinion on his works in ornithology or entomology.

Discusses need for cross-fertilisation in Geranium.

Hooker begins to doubt whether Drosophyllum so closely allied to Drosera.

Sends a list of queries for AG.

Asks whether AG can supply specimens for illustrations [for Descent]. Hopes Mr Ford will do the drawings.

Delighted with THH’s review [in Academy (1869)] of Haeckel’s [Natürliche] Schöpfungsgeschichte [1868],

but groans about THH’s view of rudimentary organs. Cites Origin and Variation.