Thanks CD for invitation. Solicitous of CD’s health. Will let Hooker decide whether CD’s health will allow his visit.

[Alexander] Braun in poor health.

Thinks a new U. S. edition of Origin is needed.

Gives observations on the climbing habits of Bignonia capreolata.

Describes the floral structure of broom, particularly the form of the varying anthers. Encloses drawings of anthers and pollen.

Mogg [John Traherne Moggridge] wants to visit CD.

Self-fertilising orchids.

Encloses letter from H. B. Geinitz, who declines to handle translation of new edition of Origin. Recommends Julius Victor Carus. Also suggests Gustav von Leonhard as translator for Origin.

Discusses translation of Variation.

Gives CD genus and species names of the singular humming-bird; distressed by specific name made necessary by revised laws of nomenclature.

Sends a box of orchids.

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

Sending his paper on tristyly in Oxalis.

Cannot attend botanical congress, where CD will be vice-president.

Refers to enclosure from Asa Gray

with whom he can talk calmly now that war is over. North had no right to resort to bloodshed.

Startled by CD’s attendance at Royal Society soirée.

Has asked E. B. Tylor to make up questions for consuls and missionaries, through whose wives a lot of most curious information [for Descent?] could be obtained.

Tying umbilical cord has always been a mystery to JDH.

John Crawfurd’s paper on cultivated plants is shocking twaddle ["On the migration of cultivated plants in reference to ethnology", J. Bot. Br. & Foreign 4 (1866): 317–32].

R. T. Lowe back from Madeira.

ARW's marriage to Annie Mitten.

Gives CD some references to papers.

Reports improvement in his wife’s health.

W. H. Harvey is dead. His loss to science.

Will get a copy of Crawfurd’s paper. It was such trash he tore his up.

His letter to Asa Gray was about his [JDH’s] proof that America will have an aristocracy from interbreeding of wealth, intellect, and beauty; and the lower classes, not having time for politics, will leave them to the aforementioned.

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 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.

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.

Plans to come to Down on 27 May.

Accepts invitation for 23 June.

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