Asks JSH to inquire about drift-wood at Kerguelen Land.

Hooker’s observation on similarity of Kerguelen plant species to those of Tierra del Fuego strikes CD as a great anomaly, so he is searching for an answer, "however improbable".

Requests authoritative information on erratic boulders and marks of glaciers in New Zealand, and especially in southern islands.

In response to CD’s query, HCW says he cannot supply "any list of species as the flora of a single and sterile soil". Suggests a possible source of information, and provides some figures for Britain, but these apply to diverse soils.

Sends a count of the number of species of flowering plants and ferns on the islands of Fayal and Flores in the Azores.

Grief at the death of Edward Forbes.

JDH’s "grand speech" on receiving the Royal Medal.

Thanks for Lady Holland’s kind present. Will only lend it to his sister-in-law and his aunt.

Is Bentham’s list of aberrant genera biased by exclusion of genera with many species?

JDH’s belief that Aquilegia varieties are one species is consistent with their great interfertility.

Bentham’s list of aberrant genera: CD’s worry that he eliminated large genera a priori is half right. He eliminated those large, anomalous genera that virtually constitute natural orders. JDH criticises CD’s tabulations of aberrants.

Difficulty of distinguishing affinity and analogy in plants.

Debates aberrant species, e.g., Ornithorhynchus and Echidna, with JDH. CD argues they are result of extinction having removed intermediate links to allied forms.

Studying effects of disuse in wings of tame and wild ducks.

Tabulations showing that number of species in a genus is not correlated with number of genera in an order.

List of most anomalous Leguminosae [from George Bentham].

Thanks for subscription to Down Coal and Clothing Club, whose finances are improving.

Discusses his account. Mentions health of children.