Summary

Asks JDH to verify an observation on Dicentra – what CD thought was a branch in the young plant now looks like a gigantic leaf in the old.

Concurs on Spencer’s clever emptiness.

Ramsay exaggerates role of ice. Sorry to hear that Tyndall grows dogmatic.

Admits difficulty of making case for Wallace’s Royal Medal at this time.

Will soon finish the first draft of Variation.

Summary

JDH is making inquiries for CD on temperate climbing plants.

Discusses politics of Royal Society Council in awarding CD the Copley Medal.

Summary

JDH’s "shock" that CD was awarded the Copley Medal.

Oliver, Thomson and JDH independently concur mature tendrils of Dicentra are foliar, though JDH remembers they were axial in the spring. Expects he and CD were fooled, but will have to look again next spring.

Praises CD’s Lythrum paper [Collected papers 2: 106–31].

JDH completing F. Boott’s work on Carex [Illustrations of the genus Carex].

JDH now does suspect Mrs Boott is illegitimate daughter of Dr Erasmus Darwin [see 4389].

Summary

CD’s Lythrum paper has given him as much satisfaction as working out complemental males in cirripedes.

Response to award of Copley Medal.

Letters from Germany and France support natural selection.

Now that climbing plants are done, CD asks for Drosera.

Summary

The plants from the Cape did not show climbing habit in native country; WHH believes it a consequence of their being grown under disadvantages of climate.

Summary

Congratulations on the Copley Medal.

Summary

Gives Lyell’s report of conversation with Sabine about the grounds for the award of CD’s [Copley] Medal.

Summary

Congratulates CD on the Copley Medal.

Summary

Prescribes carbonate of ammonia with horseradish. CD is to avoid any magnesia. Recommends CD go without medicine for a time and avoid the "evil habit" of taking too much water.

Summary

The Copley Medal is considered a great honour, but such things make little difference to CD, except for the several kind letters he received. It shows that natural selection is making some progress.

His health is poor.

Work is crawling on Variation;

occasional botany recreative.

Summary

Council of the Royal Society have awarded CD the Copley Medal.

Summary

Hopes CD will be able to receive the Copley Medal in person. HF sees it as doubly significant in recognising CD’s work and as a protest against the profession of religious as opposed to scientific faith.

Summary

"Read a letter from Mr Darwin suggesting the Translation of Gaertner’s work [Bastarderzeugung im Pflanzenreich (1849)]."

Summary

Wishes AM success in undertaking his work on geographical distribution [The geographical distribution of mammals (1866)]. CD has no suggestions to make as he has not recently attended to the subject.

He is still weak after his long illness and supposes he will ever remain so.

Summary

Is sure that any of CD’s friends would be proud to accept the medal on his behalf.

Summary

Prescribes "syrup of phosphate of iron". Requests a urine sample.

Summary

Has analysed CD’s urine and suggests he omit the alkaline powders. Continues to prescribe iron phosphate.

Summary

Identifies a climbing plant that CD saw at the Society’s gardens.

Summary

About buying shares.

Summary

Has forwarded RT’s paper on Bonatea to the Linnean Society [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 9 (1865): 156–60].

The Oxalis sent by RT flowered but CD has made out only two forms; he thinks there ought to be three, so would welcome more seed.