Summary

Discusses the possible explanation of why fly-orchid plants in a correspondent’s garden had no pollen-masses removed while Orchis maculata had all of its pollen-masses removed. CD points out that different orchids are fertilised by different insects. The insects needed to fertilise the fly-orchid may not have inhabited the site of the correspondent’s garden.

Summary

Gives notice of returning books by a carrier and thanks for assistance.

Asks whether Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville’s Ostéographie (1839–64) includes rabbits or hares.

Summary

Asks for advice about the mortgage to Major Owen for £20,000.

Summary

Variations in nature arise from unknown causes, accidentally or spontaneously, and are preserved by natural selection if beneficial.

Summary

Wishing to purchase a copy of Ferguson’s illustrated series of rare and prize poultry, including comprehensive essays upon all classes of domestic fowl (Ferguson 1854).

Summary

Chauncey Wright’s review of Origin: A. Gray asks that THH append a list of philosophical books on subject if he accepts it for Natural History Review.

Sends Gray’s pamphlet of his (republished) reviews [Natural selection not inconsistent with natural theology (1861)] for notice.

Summary

Thanks for information about Major Owen’s mortgage.

Summary

Distribution of AG’s pamphlet.

Insectivorous plants.

Informs AG of his [CD’s] notice on Pumilio in Gardeners’ Chronicle [5 Jan 1861; Collected papers 2: 36–8].

Summary

Asa Gray’s pamphlet.

Ill health.

Summary

Invites Mrs Huxley and the children to spend a fortnight at Down.

MS of Chauncey Wright’s review has not yet arrived.

[P.S. missing from original.]

Summary

Sends correspondence between Dr Erasmus Darwin and Josiah Wedgwood I [of Etruria] on glaciers.

Also a pamphlet [Asa Gray, Natural selection not inconsistent with natural theology (1861)] containing "the best account" of the Origin.

Summary

Sends pamphlet by Asa Gray [Natural selection not inconsistent with natural theology (1861)]. Hopes AM may get it noticed in any natural history periodical in Edinburgh.

Will send AM a corrected [3d] edition of Origin. AM will find little alteration in the parts he attacked, which, to the best of CD’s judgment, did not seem to require correction. Assures AM that he does not send his new edition out of bravado.

Summary

If JM disapproves of inserting CD’s geological works on back of title-page [of Origin, 3d ed.], he should strike them out. CD cares little. Reminds him to insert "additions and corrections" in advertisements. Sends list for presentation copies.

Asks whether his Journal of researches has sold at all satisfactorily.

Summary

Would like to borrow WBT’s collection of fowls’ skulls.

Asks for WBT’s opinion of G. Ferguson, the author of a poultry book [Ferguson’s illustrated book of domestic poultry].

Summary

Comments on JL’s Seasons with sea-horses [1861]. Thinks JL bold to defend his bear–whale illustration.

Summary

Praise for DO’s paper on Hamamelidaceae ["On Sycopis", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 23 (1862): 83–9, read 15 Mar 1860]. Everything points to its being a "bankrupt" family.

Hydropathy at Malvern may take him from Drosera. Requests Dionaea and Cypripedium.

Summary

Believes AG’s pamphlet will do natural selection "right good service".

Summary

CD expresses his gratification that a geologist of AG’s standing and influence subscribes to the idea of the mutability of species.

Summary

A bee’s sting always remains behind.

Summary

Thanks for skulls

and information about Ferguson.

Is working on rabbits’ skeletons.