A. G. Butler has named the specimens sent by CD with Fritz Müller’s letter.
Sends several facts relating to sexual selection, mimicry, and hybrids.
Discusses the possibility that mimicked and mimicking forms have descended from originally allied forms and have diverged in structure but not in appearance.
CD is urged to increase to 20 his shares in the Artizans, Labourers & General Dwellings Co. Ltd. Many prominent people have done so.
On colours and breeding of rabbits.
Endorses revised statement about Butler’s odd hereditary habit;
describes a séance at William Crookes’s.
Feels it would be worth while but difficult to investigate mimicked and mimicking forms for structural similarities that would indicate a closer alliance in the past.
Data relating to experiments; shrinkage of earth on drying.
Comments on action of eyes in a person lost in meditation. Asks about Charles Bell’s explanation [in Anatomy of expression (1806, 1844)].
Comments on FG’s description of a séance at the house of William Crookes.
Will use FG’s words about [H. M. Butler’s] hereditary habit [in Expression, p. 33 n. 8].
Sends two vines for CD’s experiments, with instructions for grafting.
Mentions a hybrid plum–peach.
Sends, for signature, a statement approving change in rules of the Leopoldino Academy [Dresden] to be forwarded to CD to sign.
Would like to do Russian translation of Expression.
May come to England.
Has forwarded CD’s letter to Crookes.
Requests letter recommending him for the Chair of General and Comparative Physiology at the Royal Veterinary College.
JDH asks Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff to speak in 'the House' [of Commons] on behalf of RBG Kew as its scientific function & JDH's role as Director are under threat from [Acton Smee] Ayrton. [Ayrton Controversy]. JDH has attended a committee meeting of the Cabinet at Lord Rippon's, attended by Rippon, Lord Halifax & Mr Cardwell. Ipecacuanha has been introduced to Sikkim, India: propagated from plant RBG Kew sent out in 1866. The Edinburgh plants are still at Calcutta [Kolkata].