Summary

Requests photograph.

Summary

CD need not worry about having discarded the partridge’s foot.

Summary

Asks for comparison of otter-hounds’ feet with those of other dogs.

Changes in oysters.

Summary

Reports on personalities at the Bath meeting of BAAS [Sept 1864].

Summary

Lyell thinks an expedition should be sent to the caves in Borneo, supported by the sale of surplus specimens; thinks "our progenitors" may well be there.

Summary

Surprised at Kölliker’s misunderstanding; of Flourens he could have believed anything.

Family news.

Summary

Salmon and trout increase in size with river.

Wishes to show CD fish hatchery near Hampton Court.

Quoted CD’s book on self-destruction within species in a salmon arbitration case.

Summary

Has heard that the yeast in CB’s brewery has failed. Asks for confirmation and answers to some questions.

Summary

Thanks for CD’s consoling letter. His mind cannot concentrate after losing his position, and he feels "an inward dread of life’s future". Would have been glad to work for CD. Understands why Hooker cannot recommend him.

Summary

Asks CD to sign certificate nominating Flower for Royal Society.

Summary

Sends a poem about sowing kidney beans.

Summary

Sends 2d ed. of his Physical geology [1864]; hopes that he will burn the 1st because of its errors.

ACR is convinced he is right about denudation of the Weald.

Summary

Forwards a letter from his head brewer, Laurence Burleigh, on yeast. They seldom exchange yeast with other brewers, and he doubts whether weak yeast from one brewery will ferment strongly in another.

Summary

JDH is making inquiries for CD on temperate climbing plants.

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

Summary

Glad to hear CD well again.

Will send Lythrum hyssopifolium flowers from Botanic Garden if they are in bloom; does not know where to find wild specimen, but thinks they are same as garden type.

Is finishing his course of lectures, which was attended by 35–45 people.

Summary

JDH suggests Scott go to India; he will write letters of introduction.

Conversation with Herbert Spencer.

George Bentham would like to know how CD’s view of hybridism diverges from Charles Naudin’s.

Summary

Sends dandelion [enclosed] with peculiar form of achene; suggests this solitary "sport" must have arisen by sudden jump from normal type.

Summary

JDH explains why he cannot take Scott on at Kew.

John Tyndall cannot answer CD’s questions on glaciers. Edward Frankland’s ignorance. In JDH’s opinion, heaviness of winter snowfall is the greatest element in size of glaciers and this is a function of low mean temperature. Discusses descent of glaciers.

Summary

A regular column is to appear in the Proceedings of the Royal Horticultural Society on successful and failed interspecific crosses.

Summary

Asks how he can identify pollen-tubes.

Has succeeded in impregnating orchids of widely different genera with each other’s pollinia. "Is not this something new?"

Offers to exchange Catasetum for other varieties.