Thanks CD for five dollars and two-year subscription to Index, and for permission to quote CD’s compliments on Truths for the times.

Discusses the significance of the node. Believes, with CD, that it has no independent importance but is merely the consequence of the presence of a leaf. Does not believe a distinction can be made between whorled and alternate leaf arrangements on the basis of the number of leaves springing from a node. The node, as the starting point of a leaf, is subject to any disarrangement which takes place among the leaves.

Comments on Brace’s work [The dangerous classes of New York (1872)].

Thanks CD for his offer to communicate the results of his experiments with Pelargonium to the Linnean Society. Prefers to continue experimenting for at least another season before doing so.

Corrects a factual error in his previous letter [8418].

Sends specimens illustrative of the "nodal" question.

Discusses the mutual sterility of some varieties of Pelargonium.

CD not nominated by French Academy.

Responds to CD’s comments on his MS on phyllotaxy.

The initial variation required by his theory would be a slight twist of the bud-axis; believes the frequent twisting of stems and branches renders such a variation possible.

Admits he placed too much emphasis on the importance of frost. He should have spoken more generally of "vicissitudes of climate".

F. C. Donders coming to congress. Wants to arrange visit.

Thanks for her pains over corrections [for Expression].

CD cannot improve style [of Expression] without great changes. "I am sick of the subject, and myself, and the world".

Thanks HF for his essay ["Über den Einfluss der Naturwissenschaft auf das Recht", Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik 18 (1872): 248–77]. CD gives views favouring competition among trades unions and the working classes.

Foreign translations, illustrations, and other arrangements for Expression. Foreign publishers must be bound not to publish before the English edition is out.

Mentions work he did in the Sandwich Islands. Asks to visit and bring shells.

On ARW’s "crushing" review [Nature 6 (1872): 237–9] of C. R. Bree’s An exposition of fallacies in the hypothesis of Mr Darwin.

Comments on other reviews and exchanges.

Invites JTG to visit.

Mentions visit from F. C. Donders.

Queries and suggestions for arrangements about foreign editions of Expression.

CD must see proofs for lettering on the plates [for Expression] to ensure that it matches the text.

May FG have lunch with CD Thursday [1 Aug] and arrange about rabbits?

Comments on EAS’s work [? Die Coniferen und die Gnetaceen: eine morphologische Studie (1872)].

Discussion of the charge made for the plates [for Expression].