Summary

Requests a number of books to be sent by the carrier on Thursday morning.

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

Lists pairs of Oxalis species with differing proportions of stamens and styles.

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

Has been idling and enjoying the scenery.

"At dinner we were all sticking bits of ice together by their points, marvelling at the phenomenon and talking of you."

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

Thanks for correspondent’s Untersuchungen [? Über das Klima und die Vegetationsverhältnisse des Tertiärlandes (1860)]. CD has always considered subject interesting and important.

Summary

Thanks for information about Major Owen’s mortgage.

Summary

CD is obliged for the securing of [Ferguson’s illustrated book of domestic poultry]. Since he has already been given a copy, may he return this one?

Summary

Reports events at Down;

has been doing good work on the homologies of orchids.

Summary

Orders journal volume [Mémoires présentées par divers savans à l’Académie des Sciences 4] from librarian.

Summary

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

Summary

[Letter printed in REG, Tabular view of the primary divisions of the animal kingdom.] Dedicates his book to CD in testimony of his admiration of CD’s successful attempt to throw light on "the mystery of mysteries of organic nature".

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

Is obliged to Mr Bennett for information, the same relayed through Consul General Mr Crowe.

CD is interested in information that provides insight into the colour of the aboriginal horse and the possibility that the offspring of a cross between differently-coloured breeds revert to the colour of the aboriginal parent. He has examined crosses between pigeons for this purpose and would welcome any analogous facts resulting from crossing of distinct breeds.

Summary

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

Summary

Thanks JL for information about Acropera luteola.

Also thanks for the Gongora; cannot avoid the impression it is male.

Summary

Knows nothing of the habits of earwigs. Thinks Edward Newman may be trusted on the point [as to whether or not earwigs can fly].