Replies to CD’s questions on plant hybridisation and laws of inheritance. Rejects predominant transmission of characters by established forms. Males show predominance, but congeniality of parents’ constitution to climate and soil more important. No correlation between hybridisation and variability, cultivation, and geographical distribution. Rejects reversion.

Describes experiments in Hippeastrum in which pollen from another species proved more fertile than plant’s own pollen.

Did not intend to say that crossing is inimical to fertility.

Urges JSH to describe Galapagos species in a paper on the flora of the islands.

Has been interested in geographical distribution and would be interested to have a paper by JSH on the general character of flora of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia.

"I keep on steadily collecting every sort of fact which may throw light on the origin & variation of species."