Asa Gray’s anonymous review.

"Intensely interested" in orchid homologies; like a "game of chess".

CD’s reaction to review of the Origin [by Samuel Wilberforce] in Quarterly Review [see 2881].

Casual observations on Drosera.

Wants to know author of good review of Origin in London Review [& Wkly J. Polit. 1 (1860): 11–12, 32–3, 58–9].

Athenæum will reprint Gray’s discussion.

Owen wants to be civil, and sneer behind CD’s back.

Those, like Rudolph Wagner, who want to go halfway on theory, are "booked to go further".

Anatomy of orchids.

Huxley says K. E. von Baer goes "a great way with me".

Observations on Drosera: plants can distinguish minute quantities of nitrogenous substances.

CD has a low opinion of British entomologists.

Lyell’s ingenious difficulties with natural selection show he is in earnest.

Asks JDH to observe beetles and variation of stripes in mules on his Syrian tour.

Thanks JDH for agreeing to observe coats of asses and mules in Middle East.

Asks for observations on vigour of plants as JDH ascends mountains.

Ad hominem article in Athenæum [review of John Tyndall, Glaciers of the Alps, 1 Sept 1860, pp. 280–2].

Reports extensive experiments on Drosera.

Observations on orchid anatomy.

Welcomes JDH home from Middle Eastern expedition.

Has found some funny evidences of transmutation in Cliffortia. Sketches gradual passage "from very unlike to same" – e.g., from three-leafed form to two-leafed.

Preparing new edition of Origin and asks for JDH’s corrections and criticisms.

Third edition of Origin will answer reviewers.

Drosera experiments detailed.

Hopes for W. H. Harvey’s conversion.

Henry Fawcett’s article on Origin [Macmillan’s Mag. 3 (1860): 81–92] quotes JDH’s Oxford speech.

On JDH’s suggestions for new edition of Origin.

Gray’s Atlantic Monthly articles to be published [in England] as a pamphlet.

Analysing results of last spring’s Primula experiments, CD infers pollen of short-styled plants "suits" long-styled plants.

Sends JDH note on adaptation of an Australian Compositae for dispersal in dry climate. Is it too trivial to publish? [Collected papers 2: 36–8].

Feels his poor stomach "saved" him from overworking his head.

Comments on the travels of JDH.

Genera plantarum a most worthy undertaking.

Criticisms of the Darwin–Hooker understanding of HCW’s views of convergence.

CD’s opinion of minor critics and commentators on Origin.

H. C. Watson’s notion of genera converging is dismissed.

Changes in admission to Athenaeum.

Slowly working at his volume on Variation.

Experiments on insectivorous and "sensitive" plants.

Henrietta’s continuing poor health. JDH’s suggestion to rub her with cod-liver oil.