Summary

Further observations concerning the fertilisation of Coronilla by bees.

Reflections concerning the influence of cultivation (i.e., ploughing) upon variation.

Summary

Hopes affairs will enable him to get back to flowers.

Huxley’s letter [about the fund raised for him] was noble. Would like to have seen CD’s to him.

Summary

Observations on effect of water on leaves.

Coronilla.

Summary

Suggests a reference to Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 1 Dec 1873, p. 497, when THF takes up Coronilla.

Summary

Observations on Coronilla.

Summary

Asks JDH why so many plants are protected by a thin layer of waxy matter or with fine hairs.

Wrote to John Smith for a plant of Oxalis sensitiva, but it has not acted well.

Rejoices over Ayrton’s retirement. Hopes W. P. Adam, his successor, is a good sort of man.

Summary

Recommends Hermann Müller’s Die Befruchtung der Blumen [1873].

Summary

Asks THF to examine old flowers of Coronilla for holes bored by bees.

Is investigating whether drops of water injure leaves.

Summary

Thinks THF has solved the mystery of Coronilla.

Summary

Comments on HM’s book [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)]. Particularly glad to read historical sketch and discussion of work of C. K. Sprengel.

Summary

Asks JDH to inquire of gardeners at Kew what they think about injury to plants from watering during sunshine. Wishes to experiment. He is already convinced that drops of water do not act as burning lenses.

Summary

Has been working hard on Mimosa albida. Could JDH ever make its opposite leaflets shut up close, as in sleep, when he irritated them? CD doubts they do, except in sleep. Thinks movement a protection against water.

Has examined only one specimen of Eucalyptus.

Cannot believe JDH’s results from cutting a hole in pitcher in his Nepenthes experiment.

Summary

Thanks GJR for copy of his book [Christian prayer and general laws (1874)].

Discusses breeding and sterility.

Discusses experiments to test Pangenesis. Cites useful references.

Suggests GJR visit Kew gardens.

Summary

Movement of plants to shake off water: FM’s invaluable observations.

Inquires about "bloom" on leaves.

Fertilisation of Melastomataceae, roles of the two sets of anthers.

Summary

Observations on bees’ biting holes in Lathyrus.

Suggests an experiment FD could carry out with Drosera.

CD is working on Mimosa, and "everything has turned out as perversely as possible".

Summary

Thanks for letter and documents [about potato experiments]. Will send testimonial letter to James Caird to be circulated among possible financial supporters of JT’s work.

Summary

In response to CD’s query, answers that he has frequently heard discussions at the Horticultural Society of a saccharine secretion from leaves of the lime and has no doubt it really does occur. [See Cross and self-fertilisation, p. 402.]

Summary

A circular letter forwarding to subscribers a copy of Huxley’s letter of thanks [8873].

Summary

Quite agrees with JDH on inadvisability of Huxley’s taking on the Edinburgh lectures.

Is awaiting JDH’s memorial to the Board [of Works?] on his burdensome duties.

Glad to hear JDH finds ease in his work.