Position as Curator allows no time for experiment.

Describes plans for vast new layout of Calcutta Botanic Garden according to natural orders.

Himalayan and Scottish plants are doing well.

Hopes to experiment on temperate plants in tropics, to test CD’s views of migration during glacial periods.

Sends observations on acclimatisation of English cultivated plants.

Leersia CD sent are growing and fertile.

The expression of shame in ancients, Milton, the Bible, and in poor girls under Miss Gourlay’s charge.

Sends extract from Charma [Essai sur le langage (1846)] on the origin of nodding and shaking the head [See Expression, p. 273 n. 17].

Two queries on teeth: 1. Is there evidence of inherited peculiarities in milk teeth?

2. Are male incisors longer than female?

Jessie [Wedgwood] says driving in sun made one of her eyes water.

Thanks CD for his kindness and hopes one day to return it.

Finds more and more observations fall in with CD’s theory but still finds it difficult to account for the sudden leaps in the fossil record and to explain why some organisms first appear as such high forms.

On Haeckel’s Generelle Morphologie; the logical argument for natural selection is still incomplete. THH jumps over the hole by an act of faith.

Describes his experiments in fertilising Oncidium flexuosum and comparison with Notylia.

Has been examining Catasetum.

Encloses seeds of two species of Gesneria and describes hairs in the seed capsule. Hairs in other plants seem to have a different function.

Starting tomorrow for a botanical excursion on the Continent.

William Clowes [printer for J. Murray] estimates that Variation will come to a first volume of 648 pages and a second volume of 624 pages – which is too much for volumes the same size as Origin. Murray proposes a larger size.

Criticisms and comments on JDH’s "Insular floras" in Gardeners’ Chronicle [(1867): 6].

CD should not be discouraged by the bulk of Variation. CD’s suggestion to print technical details in small type is good.

Murray has sent MS to a "man of letters and good information" as an experiment to test its effect. Has no intention of throwing up publication.

Sends paper on new species of Bonatea, to which he has given the name Darwinii.

Has now an extensive collection of insects.

Has discovered moths whose larva cases resemble perfectly the thorns of the Acacia horrida.

Has asked for the head of a Bushman murderer. Difficult to convince authorities of interest of science.

Has given CD’s queries about expression to W. H. Stirling. Thomas Bridges, the catechist, had previously answered some questions incompletely [see 2643]; BJS forwards them [see Expression].

BJS answers CD’s query about when some calves show their adult colour.

Responds to CD’s criticisms. JDH is sometimes confused as to what he has borrowed from CD.

MS essay "On esculent fruits" [apparently enclosed in a missing letter].

Will introduce Charles Kingsley to CD.

More comments on "Insular floras": community of peculiar genera in the Atlantic islands descended from European plants now extinct.

Comments on MS on seed distribution sent by TB.

JL’s brother-in-law [Robert Birkbeck] would like a note of introduction to John Murray.

Encloses note of introduction to Murray.