Encloses note and cheque from James Caird [for Torbitt].
Agrees that CD should write to the Times [about Torbitt’s potato experiments].
Encloses letter from James Caird, who has entire confidence in CD’s appropriation of the money [collected for Torbitt’s experiments].
Replies to CD’s questions [in 12732] regarding the Abinger Hall excavations.
Torbitt.
Family news.
Sends the marked plans of the Abinger Hall excavation site.
Replies to CD’s questions about worms at Abinger ruins.
Notes and replies to queries on worm-castings and worm activity on a rubble-covered road.
On William Graham’s book [The creed of science (1881)].
Darwinism, chance, and the existence of evil.
Has received Earthworms.
Potatoes [from Torbitt experiment] sent him for eating were very poor. Those for seed produced abundantly, but have not resisted disease better than other kinds that Payne [his gardener] has grown.
Raises a question about a statement in Orchids; his observations differ.
Is confirmed about the bending of the fly orchid pollinia. [See "Fertilisation of orchids", Collected papers 2: 141.]
Describes work with pollinia of another Orchis species.
Sends a paper he has written [on scarlet runner].
Encouraged by CD’s reply. Sends another paper, on blue Lobelia.
Asks advice on books.
Sends an addition to Lobelia paper; admires adaptations for fertilisation.
Wonderful how every flower one looks at is explained by, and throws light on, the fertilising process.
Delighted with mechanisms of Salvia and Viola. How can anyone who compares structure of Viola cornuta and common violet still suppose them to be separate creations?
The conversion of Asa Gray must be a pleasure.
CD’s doctrine accounts for and gives a vera causa of structures.
Discusses F. Hildebrand’s book.
Thinks CD’s views of insect agency and crossing might explain structure and variations of papilionaceous flowers. Lists five points. Asks CD’s opinion.
