Discusses WED’s growing interest in botany; would be grateful for certain observations.

Is much concerned about Horace’s illness.

Has sent Orchids MS to printers

and will work a little at dimorphism.

Thanks WED for eyeglass.

Reports on health of Horace and family matters.

Has finished Orchids.

Hooker has written about WED’s going to Kew.

Wants WED to forward dried Malaxis to G. C. Oxenden.

Has been dissecting Viola flowers.

[Letter from Emma Darwin to WED, verso p. 3.]

Leonard has scarlet fever; CD is sorry WED is unwell.

Reports some observations on the fertilisation of wheat which WED might follow up.

Lenny [Leonard Darwin]’s illness.

Polymorphism in valerian and Lythrum salicaria.

Leonard’s illness.

Polymorphism in valerian and Erythraea.

Discusses dimorphic plants, valerian and Erythraea. Would like to look at them; suggests WED draw up a paper on them.

Discusses Lythrum, "a really wonderful case"; asks WED to make observations and collect specimens; sends a diagram which shows what crosses he believes are fertile.

Would like George to watch bees visiting the flowers; wants some pods from different forms to compare shapes and count seeds.

Asks WED to send some specimens [of Lythrum?].

[Letter from Emma Darwin to WED on verso.]

Gives advice as to whether certain meteorological observations would be worth making.

Asks WED to make some observations on differences in pods of Lythrum.

Thanks WED for observations on Lythrum.

Discusses family affairs.

Discusses a crossing experiment.

Has been counting the seeds in pods [of Lythrum?].