Returns CD’s lists [sent with 2184]. Confusion in genera of Silene is great in continental botanic gardens. One would have to know whether C. F. v. Gärtner had the right names for species in his experiments.
Discusses the difficulties of breeding mules by crossing canaries and finches.
Discusses the relative growth of native and foreign weeds.
Responds to CD’s article on kidney beans [Collected papers 1: 275–7]. Sends beans as evidence of crossing.
More on kidney bean crosses.
Reports on wheat in the stomach of fish he caught.
In reply to CD’s query [see 2072], JDD describes what little is known about the crustacea of the Antarctic and southern lands.
Knows of no species of the cold temperate south identical with those of the cold temperate north.
Is looking forward to returning home [from Moor Park hydropathic establishment]. News of other patients and the books she is reading. Although feeling well, cannot walk much.
Sends specimens of Tortrix, which illustrate the extraordinary variation of markings in two or three species. In every family of Lepidoptera there seem to be species extremely prone to vary and in some localities they vary more than in others.
The variations of Peronea caused A. H. Haworth and J. F. Stephens to create 30 or 40 species based on colour and markings. HD was first to be convinced these would be reduced to two.
Discusses species that closely resemble one another;
cites species that differ in variation in different localities;
in some double-brooded species the broods differ markedly in size and colour.
Encloses his list of varieties of Peronea.
Describes his work, which demonstrates that hybrids of Cactus are fertile.
Discusses the ranges of alpine species in U. S. and considers the possible migration routes of such species from Europe.
Lists those U. S. genera which he considers protean and describes the U. S. character of some genera which are protean in Europe.
Describes how he distinguishes introduced and aboriginal stocks of the same species.
Discusses difficulties involved in deciding which genera are protean in the light of some comments by H. C. Watson.
Comments on species with disjoined ranges; does not feel, despite CD’s expectations, that they tend to belong to small families.
Gives the proportion of U. S. trees in which the sexes are separate [see Natural selection, p. 62].
Believes, with CD, that extinction may be an important factor in explaining plant distributions, but sees no reason why the several species of a genus must ever have had a common or continuous area. "Convince me of that, or show me any good grounds for it … and I think you would carry me a good way with you". It is just such people as AG that CD has to satisfy and convince.
Feels that the crossing of individuals is important in repressing variation and perhaps in perpetuating the species, but instances some plants in which it cannot, apparently, take place.
States he has "misgivings about the definiteness of species". Believes there is some inherent tendency for plants to originate varieties. Cross-fertilisation is likely in most cases but sees difficulties with plants like Adlumia.
Sexes of algae.
Hybrid varieties of pheasant and common fowl. Reply to CD queries.
Replies to more queries about fowl hybrids.
Will attend to any subject in Jamaica about which CD wants information.
Crithagra brasiliensis and canary refused to pair.
A collection of Jamaican land Mollusca will be presented to the British Museum.
Hurricanes are a considerable influence on diffusion of birds and insects.
