Summary

Discusses affairs at Down and Southampton.

Summary

Discusses business matters relating to WED and the bank.

Summary

Discusses seed capsules [of Epipactis palustris?].

Sorry AGM is in bad health.

Summary

Finds no trace of nectar in Stanhopea saccata.

Summary

Thanks JL for identifying Catasetum saccatum.

Writes of his interest ("more than almost anything in my life") in orchids, but fears he is rash to publish.

Summary

Asks whether WED has signed the articles of partnership in the bank.

Has been working at orchid drawings with G. B. Sowerby, Jr.

Summary

Asks DO to look for nectar in Stanhopea saccata labellum. CD’s theory predicts nectar should be present, but afraid there is none.

Summary

Subscribes to present for Mrs J. T. Quekett only on condition that no public testimonial is planned for JTQ.

Summary

Sends thanks for an informative letter;

would be grateful for any orchids; names some he would particularly like.

Summary

Continued discussion of Jamieson’s Glen Roy theory. Mentions river erosion of glaciers. Quotes from old letter to CL [1116].

Is working hard on orchids; fears subject is too complex for the public.

Summary

Tells of a shooting competition at Down.

Has been working hard at orchid drawings with G. B. Sowerby, Jr.

Summary

Thanks for JG’s book [An introduction to the Trochilidae, or family of humming-birds (1861)], which he has read carefully. Hopes someday to use the information on the close alliance of species in large genera.

CD repudiates hybridity of birds in nature.

Intends to extract the cases of "races" or doubtful species. They show that "determination of species is not a simple affair".

Summary

Thanks AG for notes on hollies.

Replies to an argument for design. Feels it monstrous to consider orchids created as they are now seen, since every part reveals modification on modification.

Summary

Comments especially on the "intermediate shelf" problem of Glen Roy; views of Jamieson and Milne. CD "cannot help a sneaking hope that the sea might have formed the horizontal shelves".

Summary

Orchid anatomy: movement in Mormodes column.

Summary

Would JM object to size of Orchids being same as W. N. Hutchinson, Dog breeding [1850]? Prefers little book, not to look pretentious.

Summary

Likes the idea of matching Orchids with Origin. Begs for large print and spacing so that the book will not look "ridiculously small".

Summary

Would like to quote JR on the trigger mechanism of Catasetum in Orchids

Summary

Mr Campbell (recommended by H. Spencer) would be a treasure but doubts any man has patience to experiment at another’s suggestion.

Jocular comments about THH’s audacity in doubting Catasetum.

Summary

Asks H. W. Newman whether the queen humble-bee is fertilised on the ground or in the air, and whether the fertilisation often takes place as late as September. [Newman’s reply follows CD’s letter.]