Summary

Asks JDH to look at stigma of Leschenaultia biloba; it seems certain there is no stigma within the bud. Case would be important.

Singular case of peculiar structure now remodified into the functional condition of a Campanula.

Summary

Sorry to hear of JDH’s household troubles.

Will try to get a couple of flowers of Leschenaultia to send him.

"What a good case that of the Cameroons"; the 4000ft [elevation] is much to CD’s "private satisfaction".

Sends JDH a copy of Orchids.

Summary

Yellow anthers of Heterocentron produce on the same plant thrice as many seeds as the crimson anthers. Crimson anther seeds produce dwarf plants, others rise high up. Monochaetum ensiferum facts are still more strange. Wants to investigate the case, and asks for a plant of the Melastomataceae just before flowering.

Has JDH a Rhododendron boothii from Bhutan with pistil bent the wrong way?

Summary

Leschenaultia seems very odd. Will try with pollen left on for 48 hours. Illustrates diversity of structures for same purpose.

Bentham’s and Oliver’s good opinion of Orchids is reassuring.

Anxious to experiment on Melastomataceae; thinks it will give important results.

Wants Leschenaultia formosa to try whether viscid outside surface can be fertilised.

Summary

Has received Melastoma and Vanilla.

Has seen again the two sets of plants of Heterocentron raised from two lots of pollen from same flower – a marvellous difference in stature.

"But oh Lord what will become of my book on variation: I am involved in a multiplicity of experiments."

Observations on Viola.

CD’s fancied dimorphism of Oxalis is all a confounded mistake; only great variability in length of pistils.

Found Henslow’s life [L. Jenyns, Memoir of the Rev. J. S. Henslow (1862)] interesting but fears the public will think it dull.

Summary

Discusses Leschenaultia, finds no stigmatic surface in the indusium.

Gives information on where to obtain paper for drying plants and where to obtain a microscope.

Summary

Has dissected Leschenaultia biloba flowers. Finds no stigmatic surface in the indusium. Describes what is the apparent stigma but has found no pollen-tubes to confirm it as the real one.

Summary

Household problems – stolen silver, maids. His house for some months has had reputation for being not a little disreputable.

On Cameroon plants.

Summary

Does not know Rhododendron boothii; is sending Rhododendron keysii, a remarkable form. Will send Melastomataceae anon.

Summary

Sends two flowers of Vanilla and two Melastomataceae.

Has worked on Cameroon list ["Mountain flowering plants and ferns of the Cameroons", in Burton, Abeokuta and the Cameroons Mountains (1863) 2: 270–7]

and Genera plantarum.