Heterostyly in Linum perenne. Believes the American form may be a distinct species.

TMR believes rate of limestone formation is same now as in past.

He expects his address [of 10 Oct 1876] on geological time [Proc. Liverpool Geol. Soc. 3 (1878): 211–35], which contradicts William Thomson’s view of the earth’s age, to appear soon.

No summary available.

Will call on addressee when he is next in London.

A Quaker essayist and poet who seeks to reconcile science and religion sends some samples of his work.

Letter from Gaston de Saporta.

Germination of onion.

Discusses various authors’ interpretations of the structure of the embryo of grasses.

Discusses the structure of grass embryos; states differing theories regarding which part of the seed corresponds to the cotyledon.

Reports butterfly species that apparently mimic each other and gives details of some odoriferous species.

[Letter copied in Raphael Meldola’s hand from original sent to Meldola with 11449.]

Doubtful that great heat would favour development of lower organisms.

On crossing Aegilops.

Thinks WB’s proposal a very good one. CD could suggest two or three subjects for essays with respect to the vegetable kingdom, but they would require a long course of experiments "& unfortunately there is hardly any one in this country who seems inclined to devote himself to experiments".

Thanks for the specimens: the bulbs have been planted.

He has not attended to the colouring matter of plants, but he will ask H. C. Sorby if he would like the specimens.

Thanks for specimen of Aegilops flour.

Comments on ASW’s papers.

Cites paper by Wilhelm Rimpau on self- and cross-fertilisation in wheat ["Die Züchtung neuer Getreide-Varietäten", Landwirtsch. Jahrb. 6

Wants CD to forward to Chancellor of Exchequer a letter which explains the progress he has made in his potato crossing. Wants to print a CD letter to arouse public interest in the work.

Encloses letter from R. A. Blair concerning goose with abnormal wing. Hopes WHF will look at bones.

Has sent CD a paper partly relating to Dr Creighton’s curious observations ["Some points of science and practice concerning cancer", Br. Med. J. (1878) pt 1: 219–24].

JDH informs Asa Gray that he has resigned as President of the Royal Society. JDH believes [William] Spottiswoode, mathematician & engineer, will be his successor. He explains why he is glad that it will not be [George] Stokes. He hopes that John Evans will be elected treasurer. George Engelmann has written to JDH about his Abies & about Juniperus. JDH disagree with Engelmann that the Sierra Nevada juniper is the same as Juniperus occidentalis of Colorado, he explains in detail the different characteristics & habit of each species including a small sketch of the roots. JDH congratulates Gray on his hypothesis regarding distribution of North American Flora, which ties in well with a lecture JDH is giving on the subject at the Royal Institution. His theme will be meridional distribution & he will compare the effect of the Alps with the American mountains. JDH credits the Mediterranean with less importance as a barrier to another Pliocene than Gray does. JDH has been comparing the flora of the Eastern United States with that of California & is amazed at the differences e.g. in order Caryophyllea. In his lecture JDH will cover Gray's researches on the Japan Flora, his own on Arctic flora, their shared travels in America & subsequent private work. JDH is surprised by the number of Asian types in the flora of West America not present in East America & wonders if they are the result of two Asiatic migrations in different periods. JDH asks Gray's opinion of the last volume of THE LIFE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE CONSORT & expresses his own surprise at its revelations regarding unconstitutional political manoeuvring by Prince Albert & Queen Victoria, especially in relation to the Crimean War. JDH comments on the reversal in popularity of Gladstone & Disraeli, JDH suspects Gladstone's charges about the ministry intending to help the Turks has moved opinion. JDH is not a Tory but thinks the Liberals have made a mess of things.

Asks CD’s opinion on number of copies to be printed of Cross and self-fertilisation [2d ed.]. Now that it is revised, they will stereotype.

Type of Forms of flowers stands, awaiting CD’s corrections, before stereotyping and printing of more copies.

RC regrets delay in supply of Origin.

Will bring photograph of goose with abnormal wing to London.