Summary

Sends his MS "The real presence" [on transubstantiation] for CD’s comments.

Summary

Translation of Für Darwin has been published [Facts and arguments for Darwin (1869)].

Discusses dimorphic plants, commenting on FM’s observations on Oxalis.

Is greatly interested in Eschscholzia, which seems somewhat more self-sterile in Brazil than in England.

Thinks FM’s grass is "most wonderful".

Summary

Last letter was written to be passed on for Lushington’s edification. "(Standing on the points of my toes and my tail very stiff)." Is tiring of controversy as a waste of time. Begins to understand CD’s sufferings over Origin.

Summary

Thanks GM for offer of observations. Would be interested to know when the horns of merino rams first appear,

and has long wished for living specimens of Drosophyllum.

Summary

Sends CD a paper ["Ant-agency in plant structure", published in Spruce Notes of a botanist on the Amazon and Andes, ed. A. R. Wallace (1908)] on plant structures he believes are the work of insects; asks him to forward it to the Linnean Society [read 15 Apr 1869].

Writes of his support for the Origin, before which he had been much concerned by the delimitation of so-called species.

Summary

Thanks for specimen of Drosophyllum.

Describes capacity of various plants to catch flies.

Cannot name fern specimen.

Laugher pigeon descended from Columba livia.

Discusses tailless dogs.

Believes astronomical phenomenon responsible for oscillation of level of earth’s crust.

Would WCT like copy of Orchids?

Expected plants [Drosophyllum] have arrived.

Summary

Dedication of Malay Archipelago to CD.

Comments on scientific papers.

Summary

Describes how the offer of C.B. was made. He declined a knighthood. Murchison and Lyell are trying to get him made Knight Commander of the Star of India, but he does not think there is a chance. The Duke [of Argyll?] might do it, but does not like JDH’s Darwinism.

Next Presidency of Royal Society discussed: all (Brodie, the X Club botanists, et al.) are agreed on Lyell.

Everyone is disappointed with Nature.

What did CD think of "Huxley’s rhapsody on Goethe’s ditto" [Nature 1 (1869): 9–11]?

Summary

Observations on birds entering the country in spring. Some have clods of earth on their feet.

Summary

Thanks for information about bird migration.

Comments on canary hybridisation.

Summary

Transmits letter [from Fritz Müller].

Has been asked to permit a French translation of Orchids and Journal of researches.

At work on sexual selection.

Summary

Insectivorous plants; Drosophyllum lusitanicum.

Descriptions of the local sheep.

Summary

Haeckel wants British specimens of calcareous sponges. Can THH tell him to whom he can apply?

Health not improving – cannot climb even a hill.

Has heard THH’s article on Comte ["Scientific aspects of Positivism", Lay sermons (1870)] is a splendid success.

Summary

There is no hurry for information. Delighted that FCD is making experiments.

It was a sincere pleasure to make FCD’s acquaintance.

Summary

Apologises for passing on what he agrees were offensive remarks in V. Lushington’s letter. Has told VL he had no right to make them. Asks THH to make allowance for red-hot disciples defending the master.

Summary

Drosophyllum plants recovering [from trip]. Describes experiments on them.

Summary

FM much gratified by the appearance of Für Darwin translation.

Discusses dimorphism in Rubiaceae.

Summary

Honoured to be mentioned with Alexander von Humboldt, who was an inspiration to him.

Summary

"My health got so bad I could do nothing at Down".

Gives information about migration of male and female birds.

Summary

Glad BDW has proved his case on dimorphism of Cynips.

Interested in galls

and BDW’s Cicada articles [Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia (1864)].