Extreme interest in MS of HF’s paper on the American fossil elephant [Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 3 (1863): 43–114].

Pleased HF does not believe in immutable species. Significance of proboscidean group verging towards extinction. Comments on natural selection preserving type despite variability. Natural selection solves problem of how every part of each creature has become adapted.

Hopes to visit CD with Mellersh and Wickham the week after next.

Inquires whether previous letter was received by CD.

Although their views differ, HF is glad they can discuss those differences without offending.

Thinks Max Müller’s Lectures on the science of language [1861–4] will do a real service to CD and natural selection.

Has found Lythrum, and sends some. Wants to know what CD thinks of frog discussion between Sandars and James. Asks CD to send objects for microscope demonstration. Means to go see the London Exhibition again. Has finished reading Orley Farm and returns it.

Thanks for opinion on Drosera. After working for a time on a subject he is absolutely incapable of judging its value.

Has found a case in Lythrum of a necessary triple alliance between three hermaphrodites; the strangest case of propagation recorded among plants or animals.

Asks for L. thymifolia to see how a trimorphic form passes or graduates into dimorphic.

Questions JDH on Linum perenne.

Has found 33 hybrids in one field between Verbascum thapsus and V. lychnitis. The perfect series of varieties would have justified running the species together, but every one of the intermediate forms is sterile.

No summary available.

Doubts he has a chance of being elected F.R.S. because he is 58.

Will send a skull.

Discusses length of pistils, and measuring seeds and pods for botanical work.

The BAAS meeting at Cambridge was exhausting.

Owen came to attack him but was beaten; his paper fell flat.

A "society for propagation of common honesty in all parts of the world" was established at Cambridge [THH’s "Thorough Club"?].

Thanks for a contribution ["On the so-called ""auditory-sac"" of cirripedes", Nat. Hist. Rev. (1863): 115–16; Collected papers 2: 85–7]. Is sending a proof.

This year’s lecture to working men to be devoted to CD’s book.

Sends comments on Lythrum.

Has sent two Impatiens flowers; curious to know what CD makes of the floral whorls and their vascular bundles.

Cassia is another genus that has different [coloured] anthers in same flower.

Continues to work on Welwitschia.

Feels as CD does about his work, which after a time seems flat and stale. He could never have done what CD did in his Orchids.

CD’s facts about Verbascum have horrible bearing on JDH’s practice of lumping species together.

Requests Linum, for dimorphism study.

Reviewer of Orchids [Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 2 (1862): 371–6]is correct about the organisation of the book; he wonders who the reviewer is.

If Wickham remains in town and CD is well enough, BJS thinks they might come about the 22d.

Thanks for Aldrovanda reference and Cassia.

Has wasted labour on Melastomataceae without getting a glimpse of the meaning of the parts.

Wants seeds, from their native land, of Heterocentron or Monochaetum.

Is beginning to change his view about rarity of natural hybrids.

Arranges to come to Down on the 21st if CD is well enough.

Sends CD the reference for GB’s summary of Targioni-Tozzetti’s work [see 3760].

Hopes for a communication to the Linnean Society from CD "this winter".

Believes the [Lythrum] seeds have been sent to CD by Stratton [Curator, Cambridge Botanic Garden]. They have none of the others requested.