Asks whether he ought to write to CD while he is ill.
Wonders if he might use Haast’s notes on introduced animals for a notice he is preparing ["Note on the replacement of species in the colonies and elsewhere", Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 4 (1864): 123–7].
CD too ill to write.
Has evidence of long life of seed transported on a partridge’s foot.
Sends a squib by Samuel Butler on the Origin.
CD would be pleased to sit for a bust by Thomas Woolner for JDH, but he is too ill now.
Emma’s views on slavery and the Civil War.
John Scott is gratified at Bentham’s proposal that he become an associate of the Linnean Society.
Request for plants.
CD’s continuing ill health.
Request for plant.
Receipt of Oliver’s letter.
Emma prepares JDH for his visit to Wedgwood factory and Barlaston.
Health very bad. All scientific work stopped for 2½ months.
E. B. Tylor’s Early history of mankind [1865] impresses him.
Would like JDH’s opinion of last number of Spencer’s [Principles of] Biology [vol. 1 (1864)], especially on umbellifers. CD not satisfied with Spencer’s views on irregular flowers.
ED reports on CD’s health.
Mrs Hooker will not come with him to Down on Saturday.
Would like to come to Down on 20th or 21st.
Woolner is unwell.
Pleased to come on 17th.
Is arranging the Aucuba experiment.
Sends some letters for CD’s perusal.
Asks what CD thinks of Huxley’s address [Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 25 (1869): xxviii–liii].
Would be glad to have Drosophyllum plants.
His mother very ill.
Mrs Hooker back from Bavaria.
Hopes marriage [of Henrietta] went well. Is accused of saying he would rather go to two burials than one marriage.
Has heard from Huxley who is threatening to "thin out" Mivart. Huxley is reading Francisco Suarez and finds Mivart misquotes or misunderstands him.
Work will prevent his visiting Down as he had planned.
On his mother’s death.
Informs JDH of CD’s death.