JDH has just returned from U. S., where he worked on N. American geographical distribution with Asa Gray.
Discusses the structure of grass embryos; states differing theories regarding which part of the seed corresponds to the cotyledon.
Sent rare cycad seeds for CD’s cotyledon study.
Welwitschia seed germinated at Kew had ordinary cotyledons. JDH thinks mature Welwitschia leaves are original cotyledons.
JDH cannot attend at the bestowal of CD’s honorary doctorate at Cambridge.
O. C. Marsh is rash to suggest all vertebrate types originated in America.
Invites CD to Kew.
Asks opinion of his proposal to Bartholomew Price to translate and publish C. K. Sprengel [Das entdeckte Geheimniss (1793)] and Hermann Müller [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)] in one volume.
Supports Torbitt. Keenly aware of danger of growing crops from a single variety. Torbitt’s paper to Belfast BAAS meeting ["On the potato-disease", Rep. BAAS 44 (1874): 134] was sat upon.
Has written to Farrer in support of Torbitt’s grant.
Resistance of Liberian coffee to "fly" and susceptibility to fungus.
Has been consulting with Mrs Lyell about the possibility of publishing Lyell’s letters. Asks CD’s opinion on the matter.
JDH’s scheme for lowering F.R.S. fees by creating a fund through membership subscription.
Though correspondence has never ebbed so low, CD is constantly in his thoughts.
Observations on cheetahs used as domesticated hunting animals.
Finds geographical barriers sometimes separate species, but also finds species that remain separate where there are no barriers to migration.
Colour "individuates" isolated animal species.
Plains and alpine animal distribution show altitude not strictly analogous to latitude.
Impact of timber cutting on climate has led to extinction of crocodiles.
Will discuss coal formation in letter to Edward Forbes.
CD often asked whether isolated mountains in southern latitudes had closely allied representatives of Arctic and north temperate plants; JDH has found a representative barberry.
Making for Darjeeling via Calcutta.
JDH details the subscription fund’s finances.
Has finished lecture for Royal Society on N. American plant distribution.
Burdened with Anniversary Address to the Royal Society.
Quips that even Huxley is running out of speeches.
Frank asked to summarise work with CD for use in JDH’s Royal Society address.
Work with A. Gray shows Colorado plants closer to Altai than to E. or W. America.
Work with J. Ball shows Moroccan plants very distinct from nearby Canaries.
JDH on Royal Commission to Paris Exhibition.
Botanical evidence is against F. B. White’s origin of St Helena fauna. JDH holds flora is S. African. Since plants must arrive before insects, if fauna is Palearctic then flora survived glacial period. Flora not Miocene since old and relic orders are absent. Suggests S. African west coastal mountains as insects’ origin.
Congratulates CD on the Anthony Rich bequest.
Sad but relieved to retire as President of the Royal Society.
Describes battle with Treasury over use of an empty house at Kew.
Brian Hodgson reading CD’s Journal of researches with delight.
Forwarding breeding pamphlets.
JDH recommends P. S. Pallas on degeneration.
CD’s facts on sex in barnacles startling.
Hugh Falconer’s health.
Urges Frank to reconsider his refusal of Cambridge Examinership.
Hugh Falconer’s misbehaviour.
Waiting out rains at Brian Hodgson’s.
Will make botanical transverse section of Himalayas from plains to snow.
Arrangements to pass Sikkim Rajah’s territory.
No evidence of glacial or diluvial action in sub-Himalayan mountains. No evidence of detrital coal formation.
Hodgson’s replies to CD on introduced species and hybrids.
JDH criticises John Ball’s theory of origin of higher plants in Carboniferous highlands, where low carbon dioxide levels permitted survival.
