JDH advises Sir William Thiselton-Dyer not to despair of the Linnean Society. He states that it is for younger men to take the society forward. He is encouraged by the accession of new members. He has given Allman his approval of [John] Gwyn Jeffreys as the Treasurer. JDH is making geological observations in the Malverns & Cotswolds with [Reverend William Samuel] Symonds. JDH thinks tickets have been sent to 'all the men...[Thiselton-Dyer] mentions'. Either JDH or White can provide ticket to the Royal Society soiree for Mr Vines.

JDH informs Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer that he has 'caught' a lord who wants to become a member of the Linnean Society: Lord Arthur Russell M.P.. Wallace of Colchester also hopes to join soon. JDH mentions that Charles Lyell's family are pleased he is to be buried in Westminster Abbey even though it will cost them £300. JDH is sending Reeve [his publisher] statement of correction for the FLORA OF BRITISH INDIA.

JDH thanks Sir William Turner Thiseton-Dyer for his offer to assist JDH with the Macmillan Science Primer [BOTANY]. JDH's plan for the book is to write a series of short introductions to plants incl. some on physiology. The book would be in two parts: facts for the pupil & things they must observe for themselves. JDH asks Thiselton-Dyer to help him write the physiology introductions, he has already written one on cell contents but thinks Thiselton-Dyer could do it better.

Disapproves of Huxley’s article [review of Ernst Haeckel’s Anthropogenie] in Academy [7 (1875): 16–18].

Huxley strongly dissuades JDH from writing to Mivart because of his Presidency of Royal Society. JDH will hold his letter until he hears what Bentham says.

Tyndall, T. A. Hirst and Spencer dissuade him from writing to Mivart, but he will let him feel his disapproval.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Is on the eve of another row with the Office of Works about his application for assistance.

JDH wins over Douglas Galton and Lord Henry Lennox on assistant secretary for himself.

Has called on Murray and told him Quarterly Review had disgraced itself by attacking George and CD.

JDH is behind with correspondence as usual, he has been promised some assistance by the Treasury. He thanks Asa Gray for delicate notice of JDH's wife. States Romneya seeds are acceptable. Describes the recent poor health of [Charles] Lyell, including epileptic fits. Mentions books for the Linnean & Horticultural Societies. Sargent has written & JDH has received his trees. Expresses how touched he is by Mrs Gray's letter to his sister. Notes Sechium is: 'all right'. The Catalogue of Scientific Papers is on the agenda for the next Library[?] meeting. From what Henry has written JDH is not clear whether the collections of [William] Jameson were bought or lent. Jameson died on the road from Guayaquil to Quito, he was over 80 & did not have sufficient money or food for the trip. Jameson's family did not support his botanising, he had family in Quito & Dundee & his representative is probably a son who was living in Chile. JDH asks that this letter be forwarded to Miss Grace Ellis, a friend of Tyndale. Tyndale has sent JDH some "wood-hangings".