Summary

CD regrets he has to turn down an invitation because of his ill health.

Summary

Sends a copy of the paper [with A. R. Wallace, "On the tendency of species to form varieties" (1858), Collected papers 2: 3–19] about which his correspondent asked; CD’s parts were written years ago and not intended for publication; he gave permission for publication of the extracts. Wallace’s paper seems to him excellent.

Summary

Writes about dealings through John Lubbock regarding [a banking partnership for] WED.

Summary

Arrangements for a meeting.

Summary

Sends "the dates of the principal events of my Life" requested by EW [for use in his Men of the time (1862)].

Summary

Asks to meet JL for a final talk about the banking partnership for William Darwin.

Summary

Thanks HF for offer of valuable specimen, but CD has no aquarium. Suggests the Zoological Society would be the best place for it.

Will keep HF’s note among a very few precious letters.

Summary

William Darwin can go to Southampton any time should the banking proposition come to anything. CD is sure he would work hard.

Summary

Writes regarding the possibility of banking partnership for WED; second note arranges a meeting between the involved parties in London.

Summary

His thanks to "Eques" of Argyllshire for his remarkable information on the inheritance of colour in horses. Acknowledges the difficulty of defining dun. Requests further information.

Summary

Reports his experiment with fertilising the large periwinkle (Vinca major), which he had never known to produce seed. He found that the pollen could not reach the stigma without the aid of insects, which in England never visit the flower. CD produced seeds by inserting a fine bristle, like the proboscis of a moth. Asks readers to repeat this experiment with other species that do not habitually seed and to report the result.

Summary

Noting that he is not an M.D., he would be much gratified should the University of Breslau think fit to honour him.

Summary

Discusses pollen-masses found on various insects.

Summary

Asks whether GG can help CD get specimens of Corallorhiza.

Summary

Asks for specimen of Orchis pyramidalis for his work on insect fertilisation of orchids.

Summary

Thanks GB for specimen [of Orchis pyramidalis].

Discusses a great difficulty with orchids: "Insects visit several species which never secrete an atom of honey." [See Orchids, p. 44ff.] Does GB know whether nectar is ever secreted and reabsorbed promptly?

Summary

Thanks GG for his efforts. Corallorhiza would be most valuable.

Leaves for Torquay on 1 July.

Summary

Thanks BSM for orchid specimens. Discusses various species of Orchis and Ophrys.

Summary

There have been delays, but William Darwin’s banking position is nearly settled.

Is going to Torquay, where he will write up his work on orchids.

Summary

Suggests procedures for breeding experiments with hollyhocks. Recommends C. F. v. Gärtner [Bastarderzeugung (1849)]. [See also 3151]