Summary

Further comments on Jamieson’s theory of the formation of the roads of Glen Roy; paper by Jamieson dealing with glaciation in Scotland ["On the ice-worn rocks of Scotland", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 18 (1862): 164–84].

Comments on paper by A. C. Ramsay on the glacial formation of lakes ["On the glacial origin of certain lakes", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 18 (1862): 185–204].

Criticises remarks by John Tyndall on glacial formation of Swiss valleys.

Summary

Thanks for Aldrovanda reference and Cassia.

Has wasted labour on Melastomataceae without getting a glimpse of the meaning of the parts.

Wants seeds, from their native land, of Heterocentron or Monochaetum.

Is beginning to change his view about rarity of natural hybrids.

Summary

Arranges to come to Down on the 21st if CD is well enough.

Summary

Asks for news of HWB and his book.

There has been sickness in CD’s family; one of the boys [and Emma] had scarlet fever.

Has had a letter from Edwin Brown of Burton who is working on classification of Carabi.

Summary

Sends CD the reference for GB’s summary of Targioni-Tozzetti’s work [see 3760].

Hopes for a communication to the Linnean Society from CD "this winter".

Summary

Lythrum salicaria is coming out clear.

Would be glad of Nesaea seed.

Is disappointed with Melastoma, but is sure there is something curious to be made out.

His experiments with poisons on Drosera lead him to conclude that it possesses something analogous to nervous matter.

Comments on natural hybrids of Verbascum.

Deplores the Civil War and the feelings it has fostered in Britain.

Summary

Believes the [Lythrum] seeds have been sent to CD by Stratton [Curator, Cambridge Botanic Garden]. They have none of the others requested.

Summary

Discusses German editions of Origin and Orchids.

Sends publication dealing with leaves.

Relates amusing case of paternity confirmed.

Summary

CD needs first volume of the second series [of Trans. R. Hortic. Soc. Lond.].

Summary

Rolle has done great service by publishing his book [Ch. Darwin’s Lehre von der Entstehung der Arten (1863)].

Summary

Still working on book and has completed 620 out of 700 pages.

Rewrote memoir [on mimicry in Amazon Lepidoptera] for Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. [23 (1862): 495–566].

Edwin Brown, HWB’s earliest naturalist friend, will have a hard time classifying Carabi as he is unable to travel.

Summary

Thanks for last note. Assures HWB that all writers have problems similar to his.

Plans to inquire at Linnean Society for HWB’s paper.

His family, including Mrs Darwin and Leonard, are now well.

Summary

Does CD want Masdevallia?

Sends addresses of persons in S. America who would send Melastomataceae seeds.

Has ordered Matthieu Bonafous on maize [Histoire naturelle du maïs (1836)].

Summary

Confirms arrangements for his trip to Down.

Summary

Effect on seed production of differences in distance between Lythrum plants.

Summary

Sends observations on Lythrum. Reports bad health of Maud Atherley.

Summary

Would like JL to call.

Summary

Has sent Masdevallia and other plants.

J. J. F. W. v. Parrot’s Ararat [(1834), trans. W. D. Cooley, in The world surveyed in the XIXth century, vol. 1 (1845)] refreshing in its simple faith in the ark.

Summary

CD’s health is bad.

Would like to visit CD on Friday.

Summary

Asks WED to make some observations on differences in pods of Lythrum.