No one could have thought about evolution and not about representative species; yet no one discussed it fully until Origin, including von Baer.

Did not know of Leopold von Buch’s Description physique des îles Canaries [1836] when Origin was published.

"As far as I know no one ever discussed the meaning of the relation between representative species before I did & as I suppose Wallace did in his paper before the Linn. Soc. [1858]."

Condolences on death of CD’s brother Erasmus. Recalls first meeting CD in Erasmus’ rooms over 40 years ago.

Erasmus’ death and CD’s sentiments on death.

Praises JDH’s York address.

S. B. J. Skertchly has paralleled Axel Blytt’s work in Cambridgeshire fens.

JDH too cautious on southern glacial period.

Is Kew interested in Azores plants collected by Arruda Furtado, a local inhabitant and an evolutionist?

Comte de Paris requests an orchid from CD for his huge collection.

JDH responds to CD’s criticism of York address.

Arruda Furtado could work on mystery of buried cypress trunks in the Azores.

Comte [de Paris] will have plants next summer.

Arruda Furtado will send his mountain plants from Azores.

Visiting his son Horace.

Studying action of carbonate of ammonia. Finds similar looking Euphorbia root cells react differently.

Intrigued by Dischidia rafflesiana, whose pitchers manufacture manure-water that nourishes adventitious roots. Does JDH know histologist for detailed study?

Julius von Wiesner’s criticism of Movement in plants "vivisects" CD in "a most courteous but awful manner" [Das Bewegungsvermögen der Pflanzen (1881)].

Pleasure in reading Earthworms.

Buying land to build a cottage.

Finishing palms for Genera plantarum after three years’ work.

On plants CD requested.

Frank should work on Dischidia.

Work on palms.

Overloaded with reading.

Profuse thanks for plants.

Specifies which euphorbs he wants. Euphorbs’ alternate rows of ammonium carbonate reactive/non-reactive cells are worth more study.

Cannot read signature on letter sent via JDH from Lima.

Benjamin D. Jackson will edit new Steudel’s Nomenclator.

JDH’s impressions of Lyell’s Life and letters, edited by Mrs K. M. Lyell [1881].

Thanks CD for his endowment of new Steudel’s Nomenclator [later to become Index Kewensis].

K. White’s gruesome ballad "Gondoline" frightened JDH as a child.

B. D. Jackson’s plan for new Steudel Nomenclator approved. JDH asks for CD’s cheque.

Politics at Kew led to a letter of thanks to CD from the First Commissioner for his gift.

CD sends cheque for £250 [see 13620].