Little work remaining in calculations for JH's nebulae. Likes JH's plan to represent 'the quantification of different qualifications' by numbers. Hold payment until work is done. Astounding disturbances in 'magnetic curves' (1841-1857). GA now accepts usefulness of magnetic observatories.
Agrees Max Müller’s book [see 3752] is interesting but cannot see how it will further his "cause".
A book by J. W. Colenso [The Pentateuch and book of Joshua critically examined, pt 1 (1862)] has just appeared and will "make a noise".
Would like some observations made on Cypripedium.
Will not publish yet on Lythrum as he must make many more crosses; the mid-styled is fertile with half of its own stamens.
Would like to try a few experiments on tendrils.
About some major variations in terrestrial magnetism readings.
The reductions are essentially complete; encourages JH in his part of the work and concludes 'It will be a noble work' [see JH's 1862-11-5].
JDH admits he wrote Gardeners’ Chronicle and Natural History Review articles on orchids [Gard. Chron. (1862): 789–90, 863, 910; Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 2 (1862): 371–6].
JDH’s objections to CD’s idea of how Greenland was repopulated. Temperate Greenland has as Arctic a flora as Arctic Greenland – a fact of astounding force. Why should certain Scandinavian species be absent? Migration by sea-currents can no more account for the present distribution in Greenland than can special creation.
Regrets the delay in his reply, but JH's letter was misdirected. It appears that his own theories are neither original nor correct and thanks him for his opinions.
Asks whether T. A. Knight’s tall blue and white marrow peas were raised by Knight himself.
Also asks whether anyone who has saved seed peas grown close to other kinds observed that the succeeding crop came up "untrue" or crossed? CD would expect that such crossing would occasionally happen.
Marquis of Bute [J. P. C. Stuart] purchased property of CB's sister [Mary Anne Hollier] in Cardiff. [Charles] Few & Co., managers of property, sent title for CB's and JH's signatures. Sorry that JH was troubled again by pressure from CB's nephews for money.
At the suggestion of Charles Lyell, requests JH's support for his plan for public school reform. Concerns include teaching of modern languages and time allotted for natural science. Calls for firm grounding in mathematics, including a thorough study of Books I-IV of Euclid's Elements of Geometry.
Regarding financial affairs. Is having trouble with his eyes. Has done little of late.
Accepts an invitation to dine with GA, and adds comments about problems JH is having with his vision.
So JDH did write the Gardeners’ Chronicle review [of Orchids]! CD guessed it from the little slap at R. Brown.
Dawson’s lecture has nothing new. Absurd to assume Greenland under water during whole of glacial period. Suggests absence of certain plants in Greenland due to seeds not surviving in sea-water. Suggests an experiment on vitality in sea-water of plants that might be in Greenland. Is more willing to admit a Norway–Greenland land connection than most other cases.
Urges JDH to warn Tyndall on his glacial theory of valleys in Switzerland.
Is working on cultivated plants.
Sends a copy of the first part of A. D'Orsan's new work on Our Satellite. Intends to bring it to the notice of the R.A.S. at their next meeting.
AG has Cypripedium to send to CD.
Civil War and English feelings.
No summary available.
Is the editor of Good Words and is trying to build up the quality of its contributors. Would be grateful if JH could be induced to contribute some articles.
Lord Rosse agrees with JH regarding Melbourne telescope. His only objection to proposed increase in size is because of the added expense.
No summary available.
Recognizes the force of JH's arguments but wrote his paper not for a reputation in science but for protection of his character as a gentleman.
CD is mistaken in considering Acropera unisexual, with only male flowers [Orchids, pp. 203–10]. JS has successfully fertilised two A. loddigesii flowers. One is ripening. Dissection of the other shows the pollen accomplishes fertilisation without contacting any stigmatic surface. Abortive ovules found in flowers that did not become fertilised when pollinated. JS suggests Acropera has both unisexual male and hermaphrodite flowers.