Has begun to write about science again after a long absence. Intended to revise small part of her On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences, but it became quite long. Wants JH's advice on it.

Orchid paper in press.

Asks CD to correct MS of his Primula paper [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 8 (1865): 78–126].

Gives G. Dennen’s explanation of why he attempted to lend Percival’s savings at 10%: to assist his brother then repaying a loan made at 10%. Meeting [of trustees] to be called soon.

No summary available.

Is sending a sample of thallium. Answers to JH's queries regarding cobalt.

Sends a capsule of Dendrobium cretaceum. [See Orchids, 2d ed.]

Thanks for the thallium. Further regarding his 'cobalt steel' and its uses. Fluorin glass.

GB’s address [Proc. Linn. Soc. Lond. (1863): xi–xxix] pleased him as much as Lyell’s book [Antiquity of man] disappointed him on species question. GB has done a "real good turn to the right side".

No summary available.

Has heard from Julius von Haast that some of his letters were lost before leaving New Zealand. Haast’s enclosure for CD has been forwarded.

Haast and James Hector have both sent accounts of their travels in New Zealand.

Suggests JH send copies of JH's letters from the Athenaeum to members of Parliament because JH has more influence than JT.

Glad to hear of JS’s orchid paper [Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh 7 (1863): 543–50].

Suggests experiments on peloria.

Wants to count seed of the self-fertile red cowslip with equal stamens and styles.

Can send account of Hottonia.

Recalls the long walks in Cambridge with the "expectant senior wrangler". Cannot accept invitation (related to meetings of the BAAS) because of continuing bad health, his own and that of his children.

His observations of varieties of Verbascum.

Reference to Abbé Correa in the Life of Sir J. E. Smith.

No summary available.

Sends his tranformist book [De la création: essai sur l’origine et la progression des êtres, 5 vols. (1838–41)]; his admiration for CD’s work.

Herbert Spencer’s work disappointing – "all words & generalities".

Letter did not reach him as he had left town for Clifton. Hopes to reach town in time to see JH's son [John] before he leaves. Unable to meet him at Greenwich as he had to return with [Andrew S.] Waugh.

Discussion of, and thanks for, CLB’s new work, Races of the Old World [1863]. Special interest in p. 388 on colour and constitution; CD mentions questions sent previous year to surgeons serving in tropical countries regarding diseases and colour of hair and skin.

CD describes first observation of gyratory motion of tendrils: explains its adaptive function is to find objects to hold on to.