JDH writes to Asa Gray about his taxonomic work on the Rubiaceae family, he mentions the classification of Hedyotis, Gardeniae & Gouldia. JDH regrets the number of specimens, especially African ones, in the herbarium that remain unexamined. He is working on [William Henry] Harvey's book on Cape Genera: he will do the ferns & Lycopods but not the lower Cryptogams, [William] Munro is doing the grasses. Gay's herbarium has arrived. JDH apologises for trouble with a case of [Francis] Boott's Carices [Carex] sent to Gray. Cannot answer [Charles] Wright's letters on Rubiaceae until he has finished his systematic work on the order. Is critical of [August Heinrich Rudolf] Grisebach's work, especially on Melastoma, also mentions Wright's Cuban Melastoma. Suggests the Smithsonian Institute would undertake a particular publication[?] for Gray. Thanks Gray for seeds incl. Picea amabilis & Pera. Discusses the fact that the United States of America & the United Kingdom have different systems of Government. Asks if Gray has read [Charles] Darwin's last book [THE VARIATION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS UNDER DOMESTICATION [?]] & gives his opinion, at length, on the chapters on heredity through Pangenesis - he considers heredity self evident from observation of propagation & inherent in the acceptance of the theory of natural selection. In a post script JDH adds that he has for sale all the sets of Boott's Carices & reduced rate copies of his book [ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE GENUS CAREX]. Proceeds of books sold through JDH will go to Boott's grandmother, who will have the care of his children. Discusses Gray publishing a supplemental part to Boott's book, comprised of additional drawings lithographed by Walter Hood Fitch's nephew, John Fitch, & outlines potential cost.
