Will be sure to send the Cytisus and Laburnum blooms when they flower.

Has written his Naudin–hybridism article [Pop. Sci. Rev. 5 (1866): 304–13]. Would like CD to criticise proofs.

Will return books borrowed from CD.

Sends plants from France.

J. B. E. Bornet of Antibes, working in G. A. Thuret’s garden, finds Cistus hybrids do not follow the old dictum of having the mother’s foliage and the father’s habit. Bornet is engaged in long-term study.

JTM seeks invitation to Down.

Thanks for information on orchids

and facts on coastal flora and fauna.

Asks FM to look out for dimorphic aquatic and marsh plants.

Has read pamphlets "in our favour" by Carl v. Nägeli and Oscar Schmidt.

Printing [of 4th edition of Origin] nearly complete. Will print 1000 copies which, at present rate of sale, may last three to five years.

Plans to come to Down on 27 May.

Accepts invitation for 23 June.

Sends a sketch of the haricot climbing the shoot of the plum-tree [see 4866].

Hopes to see CD at the [Horticultural] Congress on Wednesday [30 May].

Sends data on movement direction of Wisteria shoots.

Has corrected and improved Origin.

Now hopes to make real progress [on Variation].

JDH sends a list of the principal confirmatory evidences of CD’s theory which he has prepared at W. R. Grove’s request for Nottingham speech ["Presidential address", Rep. BAAS 26 (1866): liii–lxxxi].

On reflection, in view of the extensive additions CD has made to Origin, has decided to print 1500 copies [of 4th ed.].

Comments on JDH’s list – very good, but Orchids and Primula paper have too indirect a bearing to be worth mentioning. The Eozoon is a very important fact and to a much lesser degree the Archaeopteryx. Müller’s Für Darwin [1864] perhaps the most important contribution.

CD has forgotten to mention Bates on variation and JDH’s Arctic paper ["Distribution of Arctic plants", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 23 (1862): 251–348] in new edition of Origin.

Now finds that Owen claims to be originator of natural selection.

No enclosure in JDH’s last letter.

Would like to be amused "for my stomach & the whole Universe is this day demoniacal in my eyes".

Sends flowers of buckthorn [Rhamnus catharticus] collected on Isle of Wight.

Age at which babies first shed tears.

Encloses a sketch of the principal events in his life [for RH’s memoir on CD in Walford, ed., Portraits of men of eminence (1863–7)].