Summary

JDH discusses his and others’ experiments on survival of seeds. Impressed with resistance of some seeds and rapid decomposition of others. He wonders about "vitality" in the abstract.

Summary

CD notes growth of Royal Society may force it to hire officers.

Speculates on cold resistance of bacterial germs.

Will communicate to Royal Society Frank’s paper on the ingestion of solid particles by the protoplasmic protrusions of Dipsacus glands.

CD working on plant dimorphism.

Summary

JDH recounts discussion at Royal Society over Günther’s paper on distribution and affinities of gigantic tortoises ["Description of the living and extinct races of gigantic land-tortoises, Parts III and IV", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 25 (1876–7): 506–7]. Huxley suggests they are Miocene relics.

Royal Society will publish Frank’s Dipsacus paper [but see 10971 and 11073].

Thiselton-Dyer will review Cross and self-fertilisation.

Summary

CD thinks A. Günther’s tortoises are relics of closely allied forms, once widely distributed. Expressed this view to AG a few months ago. Cannot explain their restriction to volcanic islands.

Summary

JDH reports on Frank’s reading of his Dipsacus paper at the Royal Society. Huxley slept through much of it, but JDH is well pleased with it.

Summary

CD counters Thiselton-Dyer’s objection to protoplasmic filaments of Dipsacus protruding beyond cell-wall, as Frank’s paper claims, by citing white "blood cells passing through vessels".

Has received Moseley’s collection of photographs.

Summary

Oliver cannot, as CD has requested, hunt for trimorphic flowers in the Herbarium’s collection of Oxalis specimens. He would help Frank if he comes.

Summary

CD apologises for his burdensome request of Oliver.

Criticises JDH’s notice on Forsythia, which JDH said was dioecious. Forsythia sent to CD from Kew was heterostylous.

Summary

CD regrets not being able to see JDH.

Summary

CD has again become interested in "bloom" on plants; requests JDH’s help with seeds and plants.

Summary

JDH’s view of Thiselton-Dyer’s engagement to his daughter, Harriet.

JDH is pleased to help with "bloom" questions.

Summary

Responding to CD’s request for assistance with his study of "bloom", JDH sends seeds, a list of available plants, and a list of English wild plants with "bloom".

Summary

CD thanks JDH for assistance with "bloom" study.

Summary

JDH has to entertain the Emperor of Brazil [Pedro II], who wants to meet CD.

Summary

CD cannot see the Emperor of Brazil because he is in Southampton, but he sends sincere respects for the Emperor’s role in assisting science.

Summary

JDH finds the Emperor, once an energetic man, all used up.

Summary

JDH recounts circumstances of his receiving Star of India (K.C.S.I.).

Summary

Emperor of Brazil continues to press JDH for a meeting with CD.

JDH’s daughter, Harriet, marries W. T. Thiselton-Dyer.

Summary

JDH has just returned from U. S., where he worked on N. American geographical distribution with Asa Gray.

Summary

Welcomes JDH home from American expedition.