Summary

Has read JDH’s paper ["Plants of the Galapagos Archipelago", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 20 (1851): 116–233] and thinks it the best essay on geographical distribution he has ever met with. Comments on the paper.

Summary

Hopes JDH can come to stay in January.

Thanks for the corallines.

Mention of JDH’s capital speech.

Summary

Can JDH come on 16 Jan? CD will ask the "old set" to come and also the Lyells.

Summary

Promises to vote for Lankester.

Acknowledges faults of R. L. Tait’s paper.

Summary

McLachlan has as strong a claim to be F.R.S. as any entomologist, but Garrod’s work is of higher quality.

Summary

Daughter Henrietta’s illness prevents a trip to London.

Summary

CD preparing new English and German editions of his early geology [of the voyage of the Beagle] books. Asks for Hooker’s copies as he no longer has his own.

Summary

CD and family suggest inscriptions for Lyell memorial at Westminster Abbey.

CD communicating H. Airy’s paper on phyllotaxis to the Royal Society.

Frank observes pod-like emanations from glands of insectivorous plant ingesting solid insect particles [see 10520].

Summary

Returns Mrs Lyell’s versions of Lyell memorial inscription. Disapproves of religious tone.

Summary

Asks JDH not to think of looking at his species sketch until he has leisure.

Summary

Asa Gray’s directed variation would make natural selection superfluous.

CD has read new theological reconciliations of Darwinism and religion.

Summary

Cirripede observations.

Would like to hear what JDH has to say about his species sketch.

Summary

CD grieves over death of Frank’s wife Amy; worries that it will weaken Frank’s determination to pursue his scientific work.

Summary

CD thanks JDH for his condolences. Amy’s baby will live with the Darwins.

Summary

Can JDH come to 7 Park St. on Wednesday?

Summary

Frank, who has been reclusive and very hardworking, is returning from Wales after a period of mourning for Amy.

Summary

Asks JDH to find young imperfect flowers of Hoya. CD has observed seed set although there was no trace of anthers.

Summary

Illness has delayed his departure. Will try to call on JDH on Thursday.

Summary

Thanks for JDH’s notes on species sketch. Proposes to drive to Kew to discuss them with him.

Summary

Plants received from JDH.

Requests he verify an identification by Fritz Müller.