Encloses a dialogue on species from a New Zealand newspaper [S. Butler’s First dialogue on evolution, from the Christchurch Press].
Observation on morphology of Primula ovarium sent for DO’s use.
Enthusiastic about JS’s work on Passiflora self-incompatibility.
CD quotes JS on rostellar pollen germination [in "Fertilisation of orchids", Collected papers 2: 77–8]. H. Crüger attributes it to ants’ carrying stigmatic secretion to pollen.
Homomorphic cowslip seedlings are, sadly, showing variation.
CD’s opinion of Lyell’s Antiquity of man.
Geographical distribution during and between glacial periods.
Latent characters and reversion.
Wants to know when he may visit CD.
Responds belatedly with advice about Cambridge colleges with particular reference to mathematics. Of the large ones Trinity stands out. Of the small ones Christ’s or possibly Caius.
Nectar secretion in Edwardsia. Could the stamen protect stigma?
Sends monstrous Primula with three pistils.
Had never heard of Robert Caspary, but what DO thinks is the placenta could be a whorl of pistils without stigmas.
Evidence of tropical floras continuous since Tertiary cannot fit CD’s position on intermittent cold periods.
Agrees with CD on reversion and latency.
CD regrets he used "creation" in Origin when he meant "appeared".
An Oken-like article in "Owenian style" in Athenæum.
Tropical plants continue to be troublesome.
Charles Martins of Montpellier will collect the varieties of silkworm for CD.
QdeB is battling with the polygenists in the Société d’Anthropologie.
Thanks GHKT for specimens of Sethia. Discusses functions of their dimorphism for insect fertilisation.
Discusses polymorphism and fertilisation in Lythraceae.
Asks for seed of Limnanthemum.
Describes his interest in galls.
Discusses curious specimens of Gomphia and Lesemia.
Reports the observations of Hermann Crüger and John Scott that fruit is set by orchids whose flowers never open and that pollen-tubes are emitted from pollen-masses still in their proper position. These cases convince CD that in Orchids he underestimated the power of tropical orchids to produce seed without insect aid but he is not shaken in his belief that the structure of the flowers is mainly related to insect agency.
Continues to support, in debates at the Société d’Anthropologie, the view that variability of animals and anatomical modifications are produced by environment. Wishes to use CD’s niata cattle example from Journal of researches [2d ed., pp. 145–6].
Owen is the author of the Athenæum article [28 Mar 1863, pp. 417–19]. JDH dismisses it as vulgar rubbish. W. B. Carpenter intends to write a reply.
Sends some specimens for CD.
Is busy with W. African Amomum, whose floral structure he discusses.
Thanks for potatoes, which may be useful in crossing.
Germination of seeds in earth on partridge’s foot.
Specimens obtained from Charles Martins will be most interesting.
Comments on QdeB’s book [Physiologie comparée (1862)].
Will send portion of copied manuscript [of Variation 2: 8–10] for WB to examine. Asks about inherited abnormalities of the eye.
Sends a sentence, quoting JP, on inherited peculiarities in eye-brows. Asks whether he may use it in his chapter on inheritance [Variation, ch. 12].
No summary available.