JDH discusses his and others’ experiments on survival of seeds. Impressed with resistance of some seeds and rapid decomposition of others. He wonders about "vitality" in the abstract.

JDH recounts discussion at Royal Society over Günther’s paper on distribution and affinities of gigantic tortoises ["Description of the living and extinct races of gigantic land-tortoises, Parts III and IV", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 25 (1876–7): 506–7]. Huxley suggests they are Miocene relics.

Royal Society will publish Frank’s Dipsacus paper [but see 10971 and 11073].

Thiselton-Dyer will review Cross and self-fertilisation.

JDH reports on Frank’s reading of his Dipsacus paper at the Royal Society. Huxley slept through much of it, but JDH is well pleased with it.

Oliver cannot, as CD has requested, hunt for trimorphic flowers in the Herbarium’s collection of Oxalis specimens. He would help Frank if he comes.

JDH’s view of Thiselton-Dyer’s engagement to his daughter, Harriet.

JDH is pleased to help with "bloom" questions.

Responding to CD’s request for assistance with his study of "bloom", JDH sends seeds, a list of available plants, and a list of English wild plants with "bloom".

JDH has to entertain the Emperor of Brazil [Pedro II], who wants to meet CD.

JDH finds the Emperor, once an energetic man, all used up.

JDH recounts circumstances of his receiving Star of India (K.C.S.I.).

Emperor of Brazil continues to press JDH for a meeting with CD.

JDH’s daughter, Harriet, marries W. T. Thiselton-Dyer.

JDH has just returned from U. S., where he worked on N. American geographical distribution with Asa Gray.

Sent rare cycad seeds for CD’s cotyledon study.

Welwitschia seed germinated at Kew had ordinary cotyledons. JDH thinks mature Welwitschia leaves are original cotyledons.

JDH cannot attend at the bestowal of CD’s honorary doctorate at Cambridge.

O. C. Marsh is rash to suggest all vertebrate types originated in America.