Thanks for copy of Orchids.

Does not know Rhododendron boothii; is sending Rhododendron keysii, a remarkable form. Will send Melastomataceae anon.

Acknowledges Orchids with its disclosures of "wonderful adaptations".

Warns that CD aids critics by overstating the difficulties.

Did Owen write the article in the Quarterly Review? [Review of Origin by Samuel Wilberforce, Q. Rev. 108 (1860): 225–64].

Thanks LJ for Memoir of Henslow; thinks it will be invaluable as an example to other clergymen.

Quarterly Review piece written by Bishop Wilberforce with aid of Owen.

Other reviews mentioned.

Health.

JBJ explains his theory of atmospheric denudation of Irish river valleys, to be published [as "On the river valleys in the south of Ireland", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 18 (1862): 378–403], and suggests its application to the Weald. This slow process would make the Weald far older than CD’s 300 million years.

Thanks for Orchids.

Reminisces about Andrew Knight, whom he knew as a young man.

Praises Orchids for its "analogies of Creation".

Will send lizard orchid.

Pleased with CD’s opinion of the Henslow Memoir [L. Jenyns, Memoir of the Rev. John Stevens Henslow (1862)]

Sends two flowers of Vanilla and two Melastomataceae.

Has worked on Cameroon list ["Mountain flowering plants and ferns of the Cameroons", in Burton, Abeokuta and the Cameroons Mountains (1863) 2: 270–7]

and Genera plantarum.

Has received Melastoma and Vanilla.

Has seen again the two sets of plants of Heterocentron raised from two lots of pollen from same flower – a marvellous difference in stature.

"But oh Lord what will become of my book on variation: I am involved in a multiplicity of experiments."

Observations on Viola.

CD’s fancied dimorphism of Oxalis is all a confounded mistake; only great variability in length of pistils.

Found Henslow’s life [L. Jenyns, Memoir of the Rev. J. S. Henslow (1862)] interesting but fears the public will think it dull.

Awaits instructions for sending lizard orchid.

Asks for a coloured plate of Malaxis paludosa so that he can find specimens for CD.

Reports observations on Listera cordata in accordance with CD’s wishes.

Agrees with what CD says about adaptations [in Orchids, p. 28–31], but cannot comprehend how they can be explained by natural selection.

Elaborates his denudation theory: marine denudation works horizontally, atmospheric works vertically.

Answers point in CD’s letter on Sydney Harbour, N. S. W.

Who is the "goose" who reviews CD’s books in the Athenæum [review of Orchids, 24 May 1862]?

Wants WED to forward dried Malaxis to G. C. Oxenden.

Has been dissecting Viola flowers.

[Letter from Emma Darwin to WED, verso p. 3.]

Sends plants.

The disappearance of rare plants from localities where they have been abundant can be explained.