Hopes to make observations on moths pollinating clovers.

Going for hydropathy. Too ill for Oxford BAAS meeting.

Pollination by minute insects.

CD proves his view regarding Goodenia stigmatic surfaces by dissection and following pollen-tubes up to grains.

JDH reports on the debate on the Origin at Oxford [BAAS] meeting.

CD, ill and despondent about hostile reviews, is cheered by JDH’s account of Oxford battle, particularly by willingness of JDH and Huxley to fight for CD’s theory in public.

Reread JDH’s letter "with infinite pleasure".

Plans to visit Kew.

CD will visit Kew on way home from E. W. Lane’s hydropathy establishment.

Birth of JL’s child.

Hyaena remains show how recently Sicily was joined to Africa.

Reports on the Oxford meeting of BAAS.

Cases of "dioecio-dimorphism" as in primroses are widespread. AG always considered them the first step toward bisexuality.

Eldest daughter [Henrietta] very ill.

CD enjoys Owen’s having had "a good setting down".

Floral anatomy; pistil curvature and pistil movement. CD’s rule that bent pistils occur in "gangway" into nectaries.

The book JDH is planning, which he and CD discussed at Kew, should deal with plant reproduction.

Responds to HGB’s critique of Origin [appended to German translation of Origin]. Comments on English reviews.

Discusses Charles Daubeny’s views on sexuality of plants [Rep. BAAS 30 (1860) pt 2: 109–10]. "There is no greater mystery in the whole world, as it seems to me, than the existence of sexes, – more especially since the discovery of Parthenogenesis."

Says apropos of the FitzRoy Bible incident [at Oxford BAAS meeting], "I think his mind is often on verge of insanity."

Asa Gray’s articles in Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences [10 Apr 1860] excellent; considering asking Athenæum to reprint them.

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].

Is puzzled what to think about the [Natural History] Review. Doubts that it is wise that JL and Huxley should give up time to it: "if it would stop your doing original work you ought not, even pro bono publico, undertake the new work".

Reports on Henrietta’s health.

The Quarterly Review [108 (1860): 255–64] quizzes CD "capitally" and he read it with thorough enjoyment.

CD mistaken, in Origin, p. 73, in saying that only humble-bees visit red clover.

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.

Tells of Etty’s [Henrietta]’s illness and progress; their future plans.

Mentions some responses to the Origin; the naturalists are fighting over it in North America.