Thanks GB for his "Report on [the recent progress and present state of] systematic botany" [Rep. BAAS (1874): 27–54] and for the way in which he refers to CD’s book.

Thanks WTT-D for his present of Sachs’s book [Textbook of botany (1875)].

Discusses corrections to Variation.

Extends invitation to E. Ray Lankester to visit Down.

Would be obliged for correction of references in Variation [1st ed.].

Has read CD’s book on Drosera [Insectivorous plants] and found that it presents new material and is very interesting.

Has discovered that the parasites he thought he had found in Melipona nests are in fact true females. It is remarkable that they differ so greatly from the sterile females and males of their species.

CD obliged about the Schrankia

and thanks WTT-D for details of last number of Gardeners’ Chronicle.

Suggests WTT-D read account of Bignonia capreolata in forthcoming Climbing plants.

Plans experiments [on Melastomataceae]. Describes similar experiment performed on Monochaetum. Interested in meaning of differently coloured stamens.

Thanks for information. Absorption of ammonium carbonate by glandular hairs.

Encloses manuscript [missing] by George King ["Sport in Paritium", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 15 (1877): 101–3].

Sends thanks to Hooker for correction of name. Mentions other errors.

Wants Imantophyllum for crossing experiments.

Is glad WTT-D thinks George King’s notes worth sending to the Linnean Society.

Discusses blackballing of E. R. Lankester [at Linnean Society]. Reports on his attempts to persuade other Fellows to support Lankester’s election.

CD’s attempts to get support for Lankester among Fellows of the Linnean Society. He has encountered opposition to the Council.