HA’s paper on leaf arrangement is almost ready; asks CD to communicate it to the Royal Society. Seeks permission to quote from CD’s notes.

Has sent phyllotaxy paper to G. G. Stokes with the letter from CD to show credentials.

Will not have time to read new Sachs edition CD offered.

Thanks for CD’s sponsorship of paper [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 21 (1873): 176–9].

Thanks for congratulations on appearance of abstract of HA’s paper [Nature 7 (1873): 343–4].

Explains again his theory of "contraction with twist" by which compact buds and a spiral phyllotaxy have evolved. Explains how the peculiar phyllotaxy of the teasel is explicable by this process of "condensation".

The Royal Society referees have rejected HA’s phyllotaxy paper, and it will not be printed in Philosophical Transactions. HA is not sorry for he has found new facts which limit the applicability of his views. Now believes that the original leaf arrangement was not necessarily always two-ranked but rather that existing arrangements have developed from a variety of forms with differing numbers of leaf-ranks.

Illustrates, with reference to different species of Gasteria, the role of twisting in the development of leaf arrangement.

Comments on the form and function of a muscle in the rectal region of animals.

Discusses the scratching action of dogs.

Has been discussing spontaneous generation with William Robinson of the Garden. Reports having found grubs that developed in an undamaged, hard-boiled egg. Has similarly treated eggs if CD wants to investigate.

Has been told CD wants photo of him; sends one. Requests a portrait photo of CD for his album. KEvB apologises for his English and his shaky hand; he is 88 years old.

Calls CD’s attention to the fact that Huxley’s view [in Lessons in elementary physiology (1866)] of lymphatic fluid as overflow from blood supports CD’s view of secretion of tears in Expression.

Has studied CD’s books and accepts evolution without giving up belief in creation of first forms.

On theory in Descent, suggests offspring of the original [human] progenitor dispersed before a human stage arrived at; this would account for races and languages with no discernible common origin.

Suggests raising money to help Anton Dohrn complete the Naples Zoological Station, which is in danger of remaining unfinished.

Because of current interest in hereditary instinct, relates incident about a baby alligator, just emerged from its shell, attempting to bite a human.

Encloses A. R. Wallace’s reply [in which he says he will undertake revision of Descent if CD wishes]. HWB says this shows that Wallace is unaware of the scope of revision; suggests need for well-defined terms.

Sends extracts, from his forthcoming book [The naturalist in Nicaragua (1874)], about the secretion by plants of honey to attract the protection of ants. Invites CD’s comments.

Thanks for CD’s regrets at AWB’s leaving Nature.

Plans English editions of Asa Gray’s books [How plants grow; How plants behave].

Other publication plans.

Thanks for reference to Hermann Müller on fertilisation [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)].

Publication plans.

Believes some flowers fail to produce seed because of the access of too great a quantity of pollen. Asks for CD’s opinion and references.

Thanks CD for promised observations on his book against evolution [La théorie Darwinienne et la création dite indépendante (1874)].

Thanks for copy of Wyman’s book.

His own recent researches [on pollen] at high altitudes were inspired by CD’s account in Journal of researches of distances dust may travel.

Thanks for suggestion to try effect of dry heat on pollen and for other new information on pollen. Will begin new experiments soon, hoping to cure hay-fever.