Has been to Osborne on the Isle of Wight to visit Queen Victoria, who had lots of questions about CD.

Doubts the fruit will stick on his Chinese double peach and asks TR to send him a couple when ripe.

Would like to grow seeds of the "curious monstrosity" of a wall-flower, to see whether the monstrosity is hereditary.

Thanks WED for his botanical specimens and observations.

Discusses Corydalis and the fertilisation of Fumariaceae.

Sends sketch of Catasetum tridentatum fruit at request of Edward Bradford.

CD incorrectly asserted that Catasetum is male [Orchids, pp. 236–8].

CD despairs when men like AG and Lyell consider themselves incapable of judging on change of species by descent.

Is confused over phyllotaxy.

Has been looking at Plantago lanceolata.

At the suggestion of J. D. Hooker CD offers his opinion on the value of a proposed collection to be made at the Galápagos. The display would not be attractive or appealing to amateurs in natural history, but the scientific value of good collections of every species would be very great if those of each island are rigorously kept separate.

JDH encourages a Mr Salwyn [Osbert Salvin] to collect in Galapagos; would like CD to add his encouragement.

Has just returned from collecting in Central America and is planning to go to the Galapagos to gather specimens in all branches of natural history.

Cites instance in which different varieties of same species of plant flourished side by side under same conditions.

Believes GM’s human bones from Gibraltar must be of very doubtful age. Lyell agrees, but feels any skull found should be forwarded to George Busk or Hugh Falconer.

Suggests GM look carefully for shells in the drift.

Thanks WHF for photographs [of niata ox skull]. Will tell Quatrefages de Bréau about the cast. May have the photographs copied for woodcuts to illustrate his book on variation under domestication.

Sends copy of the table, which now embodies CD’s suggestions [see 4117].

Gives instances of persons born with two thumbs and comments on hereditary factor.

Asks to borrow J. J. Audubon [Ornithological biography (1831–9)].

Thanks CD for letter [3935].

Encloses report [missing] of his latest expedition [to west coast], which had a grand result.

Has searched in vain for the Ophrys apifera CD asked for.

Thanks CD for paper on Linum [Collected papers 2: 93–105].

Calls CD’s attention to his observations on Rubiaceae.

The [genealogical] table seems excellent. Would be obliged for any further information about the children of the cousins – the case surprises CD.

Going abroad; will miss the English orchid season.

Thanks for maps.

George [Darwin] failed at St John’s [College, Cambridge] and will stay another year at school.

Lyell is "half-hearted but whole-headed" for CD’s theory. George Bentham wholly converted.

Bates’s book delightful but has a Darwinistic bias.

Cameroon plants.

JDH defends Bates against J. E. Gray’s slanders.

Thanks for drawing and note about peach–nectarine.