Observes Plantago’s out-crossing mechanism.

Observations of style lengths of primroses and cowslips.

Discusses dimorphism in linum and primula. Describes death of Mrs. Ashworth.

His satisfaction at CD’s acceptance of book as well as total public acceptance. Murray has given him a £250 advance. His pleasure at Asa Gray’s words.

Next task will be to write on origin [of species] by segregation of local races.

Sends observations on [Anchusa] plants from Isle of Wight.

Encloses plants derived from a cowslip–polyanthus cross.

Glad CD likes his Presidential Address to Geological Society [1863].

Will continue the practice [of discussing the break in succession of strata].

Has devised a diagram showing number of genera and species in each geological formation and the number that pass from formation to formation.

Describes the glaciated terrain of S. Wales.

CD is right on heterostyly in Primula. High praise. Has confirmed it with Primula polyanthus.

Falconer going to France in defence of his views.

On scientific squabbling.

Herschel’s theory of the earth.

Bates’s book.

Describes the structure of Corydalis and its arrangement for making pollen accessible to bees.

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

Sends photos of the niata ox skull presented by CD.

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

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

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

Notes, calculations, and diagrams on phyllotaxy.

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.

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

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.

Thanks CD for letter [3935].

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

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.

Going abroad; will miss the English orchid season.