Summary

Thanks correspondent for a remarkable instance of inheritance [not specified].

Summary

With some hesitation CD’s solicitor advises acceptance of partnership offered to William.

Summary

Asks JL’s advice about details of William’s proposed banking partnership. CD’s solicitor is suspicious of Atherley’s long-term intentions.

Summary

Thanks CL for orchids acquired from a collector.

Discusses role of Providence in variation. Does CL honestly think it applies to variations in domestication? If not ordained there, sees no reason for it in nature either.

Summary

Instructions to a book seller.

Summary

JL is thinking of moving to Brighton.

Summary

Found NA’s A survey of human progress [1861] on his return home after two months’ absence. Is glad to see NA kept his intention of publishing on this subject.

Summary

Would welcome any facts on correlation, or GM’s criticisms. Explains how natural selection could produce apparent correlation of characters, but feels GM’s Pelargonium example must arise from the leaves and petals being similarly affected at an early stage by an unknown cause.

Summary

Bentham has sent a damaged spurless Orchis pyramidalis; asks CL to send another. Fears they are irregular monsters. [See Orchids, pp. 47–8.]

Summary

JL’s kindness has laid William and himself "under an enduring obligation". One clause in the partnership agreement seems harsh but will probably never signify.

Summary

Thanks CD for his letter about GM’s review of the Origin.

Sends instances of correlative organisation and functions which he finds difficult to believe could have accumulated by gradual modifications.

[Letter erroneously dated 1862 by GM.]

Summary

Gives some observations on the sensitivity of Drosera species and comments on cases of "dioecio-dimorphism".

Summary

Asks for return of his MS [unspecified].

Summary

Has visited T. V. Wollaston, who is working hard but lives too solitary a life.

There are further legal complications with William Darwin’s partnership and CD’s solicitor wants to call on JL.

Summary

Has found hundreds of Spiranthes.

Summary

Has found function of rostellum: modified stigma guarantees attachment of pollinia.

Summary

Personal regards.

William Darwin will make a botanist.

Summary

CD awarded honorary doctorate of medicine and surgery by the University of Breslau. [See 3194a.]

Summary

As a general rule CD thinks it best to deposit specimens in the British Museum, and "bitterly regrets" he did not send all his specimens there. Nevertheless he agrees to sending his crustaceans to the Oxford Museum.

CD is at work on Orchids. He would be greatly obliged if JOW could send him specimens of pollen-masses attached to head or base of proboscis of moths.

Asks for reference to Morren’s paper that JOW mentioned before [see 2862].

Summary

Orchid anatomy. Requests Lindley’s work on orchids [The genera and species of orchidaceous plants (1830–40)].