Summary

Thanks for Lectures on the elements of comparative anatomy [1864].

If Owen wrote article on "Oken" [Encyclopaedia Britannica, 8th ed.] and French work on archetype he never did a baser act [see ML 1: 246 n.].

Bad health lately.

Summary

The signatories warn the RHS that in offering prizes for collections of specimens of wild English plants, the Society will cause serious injury to varieties already threatened without any real promotion of scientific botany.

Summary

Thanks LA for Methods of study [1863].

Is gratified that he has not taken a personal dislike to CD, though he is strongly opposed to nearly everything CD has written.

Summary

Instructions concerning the payment of the principal and interest of the mortgage to Mr Childe.

Summary

CD has told Scott not to hope for help from JDH.

Health improving.

Hopes to write Lythrum paper soon.

Summary

Observations on [length of style and length of filament and stigmas of] Pulmonaria.

Summary

Thanks for CD’s consoling letter. His mind cannot concentrate after losing his position, and he feels "an inward dread of life’s future". Would have been glad to work for CD. Understands why Hooker cannot recommend him.

Summary

Discusses DJB’s MS concerning the origin of species.

Summary

No doubt that Owen wrote "Oken" and the archetype book, which appeared in its second edition in French.

Pressures of work and family.

Summary

CD is right about variability [of Pulmonaria]. Encloses observations and diagrams of additional plants.

Summary

Another plea to take Scott on at Kew. Emma begs CD not to employ him at Down.

Has just received a long article on the Origin from D. J. Brown, an Edinburgh baker [see 4464].

Summary

Again refuses to help Scott as "unfitted" to make his way in the world. Scott is unwilling to take his part in the "struggle for life", unlike Tyndall, Faraday, Huxley, and Lindley, who established themselves. Scott’s work is not science, but "scientific horticulture".

Summary

Writes about a land transaction.

Summary

CD thinks JDH takes a hard view of Scott’s character, but will not argue further.

Leersia.

Working on homomorphic and heteromorphic crosses in Primula.

Summary

JDH on John Scott.

Curious about the rationale of pollen prepotence.

Working on variation in New Zealand flora.

Summary

Emma prepares JDH for his visit to Wedgwood factory and Barlaston.

Summary

Forwards a letter from H. W. Bates to JDH announcing HWB’s appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society.

Summary

Will send grasses CD asked about.

Reports observations on brood of Australian chicks he is hatching.

Summary

On rereading the Origin, offers a criticism on two grounds: 1. Blending inheritance; 2. The tendency of species to elude competing species. Also competition within species eliminates the weak and thus preserves the species.

Summary

Recalls being introduced to CD when [undergraduate] at Cambridge.

Sends CD some of his pamphlets

and expresses support of Origin.

Has discovered there are "3 sexes" in the solitary Cynips as well as social insects.