Invites CD to visit offices of the Field; editor wishes CD to place natural history inquiries there.

CD sends thanks for information; will write about the fins.

His health is weak and he is "almost smothered" with facts and inquiries, so is trying to restrict the scope of his present work, on variation under domestication.

Is sending JH a list of 38 nebulae, their positions reduced to 1830, and described using the terms that JH uses. Comments on some of the difficulties in identifying the nebulae, and includes reference to other astronomer's work.

Answers TR’s query about stomata.

CD will use "weeping trees" as an example of how inexplicable the laws of inheritance are, and asks for facts on character of seedlings.

No summary available.

Suggests collecting seeds at different heights from British Columbia.

Describes experiment on seeds from short anthers.

C. V. Naudin writes he has discovered cause of hybrid sterility.

Asks JJB for date of his article in the Field dealing with the regeneration of fishes’ fins; additional questions about the fish.

Wrote to [A.] Sawitsch regarding Russian pendulum experiments. Encloses Sawitsch's reply. Discusses experimental possibilities.

Answers D. Beaton’s criticism of Gärtner’s work, defending his results in crossing experiments and vindicating the memory of "one of the most laborious lovers of truth who ever lived".

Thanks JH for the efforts made on behalf of his brother, Adalbart Adolf Mühry. [The London Medical Relief Fund was only intended for residents of England, and so could not help.]

Is pleased that CD has [Roland] Trimen to collect specimens of Cape orchids. Suggests directions for securing dry specimens of what he draws.

Identifies Disa barbata and D. Cornuta of the Ophridiae.

His observations of "selection" in growth of seedling trees.

Informing JH that TN's father died this morning.

Warren de La Rue has suggested that WB apply for a government grant to further his researches on the lunar surface. Would be grateful for his support.

Thanks CL for "the great book" [Antiquity of man (1863)].

Richard Owen "ought to be ostracised by every Naturalist in England".

CL’s book will "give the whole subject of change of species an enormous advance".

Thinks he may be appointed Commodore commanding the Squadron on the west coast of S. America. Wishes to leave England for his health’s sake.

No summary available.

Hopes CD has received a copy of his [Manual of] Geology [1862]; justifies his assertion that geology provides no evidence to support the view that life has evolved through a method of development from species to species.

Agrees that the pendulum should be observed at major Indian stations because Russians did not avail themselves of offered vacuum apparatus and pendulums.

Hopes they might meet as WDF has to come to town.