Thanks JL and his father for advice regarding Southampton bank. Has written to Atherley for fair terms.

Orchids from Kew.

JDH’s income problems.

Has been idling and enjoying the scenery.

"At dinner we were all sticking bits of ice together by their points, marvelling at the phenomenon and talking of you."

Distribution of varieties and subspecies.

George Maw’s review of the Origin [Zoologist 19 (1861): 7577–611].

Thanks JL for assistance with William Darwin’s banking partnership; considers everything is now settled.

Is enjoying himself and doing a little work on orchids.

On orchids supplied by Kew; homologies of pollen and rostellum.

Puzzled by function of orchids’ rostellum.

Orchids’ pollen concentrated in two pollinia; hence one flower can fertilise only two others. This may explain precision of orchid pollination mechanisms.

Evidence of glacial action in Australia. [See Origin, 4th ed., p. 443.]

Has visited T. V. Wollaston, who is working hard but lives too solitary a life.

There are further legal complications with William Darwin’s partnership and CD’s solicitor wants to call on JL.

Asks JL’s advice about details of William’s proposed banking partnership. CD’s solicitor is suspicious of Atherley’s long-term intentions.

Has found function of rostellum: modified stigma guarantees attachment of pollinia.

CD awarded honorary doctorate of medicine and surgery by the University of Breslau. [See 3194a.]

JL’s kindness has laid William and himself "under an enduring obligation". One clause in the partnership agreement seems harsh but will probably never signify.

With some hesitation CD’s solicitor advises acceptance of partnership offered to William.

Personal regards.

William Darwin will make a botanist.

JL is thinking of moving to Brighton.

Instructions to a book seller.

Thanks CD for his letter about GM’s review of the Origin.

Sends instances of correlative organisation and functions which he finds difficult to believe could have accumulated by gradual modifications.

[Letter erroneously dated 1862 by GM.]

Orchid anatomy. Requests Lindley’s work on orchids [The genera and species of orchidaceous plants (1830–40)].

Mention of Volucella.