Sees difficulties in adhering to the concept of design in nature.

Is surprised at Hooker’s and Daniel Oliver’s ignorance regarding spontaneous movements of tendrils.

CD should continue his work on climbing plants, "it will be fruitful in your hands".

Thanks CD for his letter and geological report on the stones JJA sent.

Encloses postage stamps for CD’s son.

Explains "Duke Darwinii" reference [in 4283].

Family news.

Writes of Scottish immorality and pious talk.

Has returned from trip to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Has been made President of the Ethnological Society.

Glad to find they are cousins.

Sends his book [High Elms (pseud.), The game-preserver’s manual (1858)].

Gives directions to CD’s daughter’s [Anne’s] grave.

Describes some cases of geographical distribution of butterflies. Raises the perplexing question of the distribution of Pyrameis atalanta in Europe and P. calliroe in the Canaries.

Is having E. Suess’s essay [see 4284] translated; will forward it as soon as it is done.

CD elected an honorary member of the Society.

Pleased CD accepts continental extension for New Zealand, whose flora has many genera like Rubus with great diversity and connecting intermediates. Suggests geological uplifting creates more space, hence opportunities for preservation of intermediates. Sees clash with CD on causes of extreme diversity of form in a group.

JDH’s attitude toward democratisation of science.

Sends some original observations on British ferns [not found].

Has secured a small pension and hopes to acquire a house near Kew.

Sends Primula MS, which CD has promised to communicate to Linnean Society [see 4213].

Will soon send results on peloric Antirrhinum.

News of C. J. F. Bunbury and the Lyells.

Sends information on the flowers of Cassia roxburghii; will send flowers of all the species of Cassia for CD to study with a view to discovering the law which operates to bring about the differences.

Encloses a cutting from the Field: C. R. Bree on zebra-striped asses.

Encloses flowers of Melastoma from Singapore.

Acclimatisation of plants.

Striped horses in London.

Bees’ cells; has been promised information from the East.

No summary available.

Grieves over the death of his second daughter [Maria Elizabeth].

Introduces J. P. Lesley, "the most accomplished geologist of the United States".

HWB’s concern over CD’s poor health.

Gives accounts of reviews of his book in the Times and in the Revue des Deux-Mondes by E.-D. Forgues ["Un naturaliste sous l’équateur", Rev. Deux-Mondes 46 (1863): 703–37].

Thanks CD for the A. Gray review of his paper [see 4022].

Reports his current work is a monograph on Mantidae.