Summary

Discusses Darjeeling position. Thanks CD for advice.

Will send orchid paper [see 4087].

Summary

Has written to G. Dennen to ask him for an explanation regarding his behaviour in a financial transaction involving the savings bank of which JTA and CD are trustees.

Summary

Thanks for CD’s paper [not named].

Inquires whether Lychnis, as an hermaphrodite, is more susceptible to fungus, disease, other weaknesses.

Summary

Sends abstract from Edinburgh Courant of his orchid sterility paper [see 4087]. Balfour altered title to obscure its theoretical nature.

Sends specimens showing curious variation.

Summary

CD’s encouragement of John Scott, who has found a case of self-incompatibility in orchids, like William Herbert’s in Crinum.

Nägeli on phyllotaxy.

CD’s observations on broom fertilisation.

Summary

Has not yet received any reply from Dennen.

Summary

Recommends that CD visit Dr MacLeod’s [hydropathic] establishment near Ilkley.

Summary

Asks CD’s help with problem that arose when he tried to impregnate an orchid following CD’s text in Orchids.

Summary

Sends letter from G. Dennen. GD improperly proposed to a depositor, Percival, to lend his savings at 10% to Dennen’s brother; asks CD whether matter should be brought before bank trustees.

Summary

AG’s review of Alphonse de Candolle’s paper [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 35 (1863): 430–44] is excellent.

Does not AG consider that orchids oppose Oswald Heer’s view that species arise suddenly by monstrosities?

Infers that AG cannot explain the angles of phyllotaxy; has been looking at Carl Nägeli on the subject.

Reports Gaston de Saporta’s belief that natural selection will ultimately triumph in France.

Is working slowly at Variation.

Reports his observations on the imperfect flowers of Viola and Oxalis.

Summary

Acknowledges receipt of £235 7s. 9d.

Summary

Thanks JS for abstract of orchid sterility paper from Edinburgh Courant. His case of individual sterility will be of highest use to CD. Criticises JS’s writing. Points out weaknesses in the organisation of his argument and the use of inflated, imprecise language.

Summary

Convinced length of stamens has no relation to powers of fertilisation in many plants.

Suggests experiments on Pelargonium and Phlox.

Advises about use of microscope.

Summary

CD is right on heterostyly in Primula. High praise. Has confirmed it with Primula polyanthus.

Summary

Sends sprig of Linum luteum corymbiflorum [?]. CD is right about its being dimorphic.

Will try some odd strawberry crosses this summer.

Summary

Glad to hear of the plant; CD instructs WED to make further observations. If it is a good case he will insist on WED’s sending a communication to the Linnean Society.