Asks for CD’s "candid criticisms" of his paper [on Variation].

Thanks for criticism of his paper [on Variation].

If external conditions induce variability, what is the internal cause?

Does not agree with Duke of Argyll that "Origin of Species" is an incorrect term.

Sees playfulness of animals as a mark of the Deity’s creative playfulness.

Will visit soon.

Thanks for Casimir de Candolle’s paper ["Théorie de l’angle unique en phyllotaxie", Arch. Sci. Phys. & Nat. 23 (1865): 199–212].

Asks CD for references to animal breeders in order to test the hypothesis that mimicry arises through direct action of mental impressions received through the sense of sight.

Supports natural selection and Pangenesis.

Sends information from a Kent sheep-breeder.

Thanks for a paper on phyllotaxy.

Observations on fertilisation of Lapageria rosea by E. G. Henderson, florist of St John’s Wood.

Experiments with Lapageria.

Has frequently defended evolution and natural selection among his clergy brethren.

Now elicits CD’s views on chance.

Refers GH to vol. 2, p. 431 of Variation for the "perplexed conclusion" at which CD has arrived on variation and design. Has nothing to add to this statement.

Asks whether CD’s conclusions on cross- and self-fertilising plants agree with his own as set out in a notice in Nature [14 (1876): 543–4].

Floral structure. The order of the development of the whorls and its relationship to a protandrous or protogynous condition in flowers.

Thanks for CD’s book [Cross and self-fertilisation] and information on protandry and protogyny.

Health better, but paralysis lingers.

Considers some flowers especially adapted for self-fertilisation, and believes all flowers are self-fertilising under some conditions. Gives examples of plants in which he believes all flowers are cleistogamous. Believes self-fertilisation is the primordial condition of flowering plants.

Discusses various authors’ interpretations of the structure of the embryo of grasses.

GH no longer believes in the value of cross-fertilisation in plants.

Disagrees with GH over the value of cross-fertilisation.