Summary

Sends notes on lack of variation in seedlings of trees and shrubs

and on climbers changing their character with age.

Summary

Sends notes on variation in plants.

Summary

Provides further detail on his smooth-leaved holly tree with a spiny-leaved branch; his gardener asserts no budding or grafting has taken place.

Summary

Observations on expression and variation in Asian peoples: when colour of beard and hair differ, beard is always lighter. Differences in swimming strokes. Polydactylism.

Has just sent Hooker a paper on Sikkim tree-ferns [Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 30 (1875): 1–44, read 1870].

Has had fever since the end of the rains.

Summary

Glad to know about C.B.

Thinks better of Nature than JDH does.

Likes Academy.

Is reading Anton Kerner on Tubocytisus [in Die Abhängigkeit der Pflanzen von Klima und Boden (1869)].

The genealogical tree reveals the very steps of the formation of the species.

Mlle Royer has brought out a third edition of her translation of the Origin without informing CD, so corrections to fourth and fifth English editions are lost. Has arranged for a new translator of the fifth English edition.

Summary

Asks JDH to consult colleagues learned in physiology for answer to query: when a large piece of bark is removed from a tree, does the bark ever regrow in isolated points [separate] from the growing margin of the surrounding bark? Query bears on Pangenesis and on power of repair in plants.

Summary

Reports a case of a smooth-leaved holly tree with one branch of prickly leaves; is willing to supply more details.

Summary

Praises Variation and Pangenesis.

Reports observations on parrots and cockatoos.

Summary

Describes the floral structure and fertilisation of some melastomes;

discusses the direct agency of insects in modifying the structure of flowers.

Summary

Sends seeds of Lathyrus and suggests an advantage of climbing plants is to shed their seeds in places secure from animals.

Contrary to F. Delpino, in JTM’s experience Ophrys aranifera is not sterile. However, seed germination is poor.

In a densely overgrown plot Convolvulus sabatius, not normally a twiner, becomes one.

Continues his extensive study on variability in Arbutus, and speculates on selection in fruit shape.

Summary

Is forwarding potted specimens of Drosophyllum.

Will make inquiries about sheep.

Summary

Has corresponded with Macmillan about Nature.

Will get the Kerner book.

Mere guesses must determine which form to fix on as the type.

Raises questions about the genealogical tree.

Serves Mlle Royer right.

Lyell declines Royal Society Presidency; now look to W. R. Grove. Long postscript on JDH’s views about knighthood.

Summary

Thanks for CD’s ["Fertilization of orchids", Collected papers 2: 138–56].

Although Thomas Meehan’s paper ["Variations in Epigaea repens", Proc. Philadelphia Acad. Nat. Sci. (1868): 153–6] shows great variability in this genus, JTM sees a need to qualify the generalisation that there is as much variation in the wild as under domestication. He knows no evidence for a constant proportion between variability in the wild and under cultivation.

Observations on correlation between leaf size and exposure to sun and shade.

Has evidence for two varieties of Ophrys apifera in England, which live in mutually exclusive colonies.

Summary

Responds to questions about sex ratios at birth and mortality in either sheep or cattle.

Summary

Encloses a letter [from J. Croll?].

Has been unable to find a paper CD wanted.

Is leaving shortly for Paris.

Summary

Sends a single specimen of Drosophyllum lusitanicum with description from F. de Avellar Brotero’s Flora Lusitanica [1804].

Discusses Portuguese ferns,

inherited mutilation,

and the earth’s geological history.

Evolution of behaviour and beauty by natural selection.

Summary

Sends paper on the "Origin of genera".

J. Decaisne, in last week’s Gardeners’ Chronicle, on the apple, cannot mean there are no intermediates between Malus and Pyrus.

Summary

AR, gardener to the King of Prussia, has read Variation and wishes to send CD observations.

Summary

Acknowledges receipt of CD’s Primula paper [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 10 (1869): 437–54].

Nectar-sucking birds fertilise tropical flowers.

Writing a "Dualistic apologia for Pangenesis" [see translation in Sci. Opin. 2 (1869): 365–7, 391–3, 407–8].

Homology of the orchid rostellum.

Summary

Reports reviews of Facts and arguments for Darwin [1869].

Is preparing for a French translation of Orchids.

The case of Abutilon which is sterile with some individuals is remarkable.

Has sent FM’s account of the monstrous Begonia to the Linnean Society.