Summary

Confesses to intense hatred of the bee [orchid] for its anomalous perpetual self-fertilisation.

Summary

Was aware of Maine’s view but never thought of its extension to morals. Cannot avoid thinking that personal property like flint tools must have "strictly belonged to individuals as much as a bone to a dog".

Summary

On private property, with regard to tools and arms; comments on Maine’s book and the history of law regarding property.

Summary

Sorry he will be away when CD comes down.

Congratulations on Henrietta Darwin’s engagement.

Summary

Parallel between CD’s account of morality [in Descent], of social instinct preceding selfishness, and Henry Maine’s account of notions of property of a community preceding individual property [in Ancient law (1861)].

Summary

Observations on orchids. Ophrys apifera; confirms CD’s observation on pollinia.  The nesting of ducks in trees is an example of change of instinct and habit.

Summary

CD thinks better of "cousin paper" than GHD does.

With respect to GHD’s "viscous work", remembers endless discussions of movement of viscous matter 20 years back, apropos of movement of glaciers.

Summary

Discusses financial and other arrangements for marriage of Horace Darwin and Ida Farrer. Mentions anticipated inheritance of children.

Summary

Lectured on mental evolution in Newcastle.

Has conducted interesting research on locomotor systems of echinoderms.

Summary

Comments on Hermann Crüger’s paper, sent by CD, on fertilisation of orchids [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 8 (1865): 127–35].

Observations on dichogamy in grasses (wheat, rye, barley).

Has not yet read CD’s reply to his article on Pangenesis [Collected papers 2: 158–60].

Summary

Sends an enclosure [a statement of CD’s finances and estimate of the inheritance his children may expect] for HD and Ida to read; CD very pleased to be able to leave his children comfortably provided for.