Data on good and bad pollen-grain yields of different species. Sends sketches of two male Rhamnus catharticus flowers [see Forms of flowers, p. 294].
Instructions on paying a bill.
Would much like to see Dr Birchfield appointed superintendent of the new asylum at Woking.
CD asks if he can call tomorrow (Friday) at 9: 30, and offers to come on Saturday if that would suit CL better.
Observations on a bird that used a stone to break open a snail.
Reports of a tooth found in the testicle of a horse.
Hares are very fleet in countries in which greyhound coursing is developed, slow in those in which no greyhounds are kept.
CD’s plans have changed. He will be in London the following week and therefore able to call on correspondent.
Describes the floral structure of broom, particularly the form of the varying anthers. Encloses drawings of anthers and pollen.
Wants to publish his observation on colour changes in Matthiola seeds.
Has been crossing cotton.
Approves of C. V. Naudin and Max Wichura.
Asks for reference to EB’s article about tame deer on island in Aral Sea.
Asks GHD what the chances are against squinting and non-squinting children coming alternately in a family of ten.
Ovules of males of two forms [of Rhamnus catharticus?] are abortive and both females have incomplete stamens.
Requests that correspondent take some action regarding the state of horses on his farm. Robert Ainslie of Tromer Lodge, Down, was fined in 1852 following CD’s complaints.
Gives CD some references to papers.
Reports improvement in his wife’s health.
Lyell calculates enviously that CD can do more work than any of the philosophers.
Has a small living at Norton Canon.
Will visit Charles Whitley next week.
A report on his somewhat improved health.
Discussion of ducks. CD asks for information on a domestic Chinese race about which Robert Swinhoe wrote to CD. Compares Chinese duck with Anas poecilorhyncha and Boschas.
Notes improvement in health.
Has read FM’s paper on sponges ["Über Darwinella aurea", Arch. Miskrosk. Anat. 1 (1865): 344–53] with interest.
Has also read FM’s work on the metamorphoses of Peneus [Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3d ser. 14 (1864): 104–15], an interesting and important embryological discovery.
CD regards Louis Agassiz’s opinions as valueless.
Comments on CD’s health.
Discusses origin of life and differentiation of principal classes of plants and animals.
Discusses Generelle Morphologie and its chapter on embryological development.
His lectures on CD’s theory.
Asks CD for larger portrait of himself and for several copies of the small photograph. Will send photographs of German scientists in exchange.