Summary

On the results of Robert Bunsen’s journey to Iceland, which he compares in detail with his own research.

"I have for the present given up Geology, & am hard at work at pure Zoology & am dissecting various genera of cirripedes, & am extremely interested in the subject." "I always, however, keep on reading & observing on my favourite work on Variation or on Species, & shall in a year’s time or so, commence & get my notes in order."

Summary

Comments on manuscript [? "On slaty cleavage", J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 5 (1849): 111–29]. Discusses phenomenon of cleavage. Will write to J. D. Forbes about DS’s paper.

Summary

Comments on investigation of coral reefs by A. A. Gould, particularly the reefs around Tahiti. Mentions description of reefs of Tahiti by W. Forbes.

Hooker’s view of work by C. J. F. Bunbury.

Summary

Has received copy of CL’s Principles [7th ed.].

Comments on reading Annales des sciences naturelles.

David Milne’s and Robert Chambers’ views on Glen Roy.

Mentions sales of South America.

Describes visit to his father at Shrewsbury.

Summary

Comments on article by David Milne ["On the parallel roads of Lochaber" (1847), Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh 16 (1849): 395–418]. Refers to his paper on Glen Roy [Collected papers 1: 87–137]. Comments on Louis Agassiz’s article ["The glacial theory and its recent progress", Edinburgh New Philos. J. 33 (1842): 217–83]. Cites his own observations on glaciers in N. Wales. Discusses possibility of ice barrier creating lake. Notes objections to theory of an ice barrier. Defends his own theory that the roads are sea-beaches. Suggests questions for further investigation.

Summary

Encloses quasi-hybrid Laburnum.

Suggests a new view of symmetry of flowers.

Will discuss coal and species sketch at Oxford [BAAS meeting (1847)].

Summary

Corrects a misunderstanding of his description of salt deposits [in South America, pp. 74–5]. The salt referred to was from Rio Negro, and was coarsely crystallised and free of other saline substances found in sea-salt. CD believes its lesser value in curing meat is owing to the absence of muriates of lime and magnesia and suggests that it might be worth while to add them to the Rio Negro salt.

Summary

Sends copy of South America.

Will consult BS’s article in the Bulletin.

Recommends article by Daniel Sharpe ["On slaty cleavage", J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 3 (1847): 74–105].

Cites his description of thin laminae in volcanic rocks in Volcanic islands. Suggests similar process may have affected metamorphic schists.

Thanks him for offer of his book [Lehrbuch der physikalischen Geographie und Geologie (1844–7)]. Since he reads German poorly, BS should send book only if short and inexpensive.

Summary

Asks CL to address a letter to Charles Maclaren.

Discusses recent publication by David Milne on erratic boulders [Edinburgh New Philos. J. 42 (1847): 154–172].

Views of Bernhard Studer on foliation of gneiss in the Alps. Asks CL to tell Leonard Horner of Studer’s views.

Summary

Responds to LH’s comments on South America.

Discusses inclination of lava stream.

Sketches in second edition of Journal of researches more accurate than in first.

Summary

Thanks for H. C. Watson’s interesting letter. Disagrees with him on intermediate varieties.

CD has read latest numbers of JDH’s The botany of the Antarctic voyage [pt I, Flora Antarctica (1844–7)]; notes several sentences against "us Transmutationists".

Summary

Mystified by the origin of coal-plants.

Milne’s Glen Roy theory is absurd but, oddly, it has staggered CD in favour of Agassiz’s ice-lake theory.

Summary

Bernhard Studer has been at Down. Studer will not be able to join HDelaB’s Ordnance Survey working party.

CD is glad to hear about very old rocks under Silurians. "There is something grand and mysterious at these depths."

Summary

Accepts AC’s offer to conduct hybridisation experiments, and offers suggestions.

Sends book [Journal of researches, 2d ed. (1845)].

Summary

Discusses enclosed figures on elevation of terraces in several Scottish glens as surveyed by William Kemp and David Stevenson. Comments on Robert Chambers’ view of the terraces. Mentions a letter on the terraces, originally written for publication, which he has asked Robert Jameson [editor of the Edinburgh New Philos. J.] to destroy.

Summary

Writes concerning Charles Stokes’s purchase of stock in the Leeds and Bradford Guaranteed Railway.

Is glad that JW III is settled for life at Leith Hill Place.

Summary

If FJM wishes to sell the fossils he has discovered, CD suggests he appoint some agent to dispose of them.

Is surprised at the account of the earthquake in the pampas.

Offers to send his South America.

Greatly admires FJM’s zeal

and would welcome any information on the domestic animals of La Plata.

Summary

Flattered by JBJ’s discussion of coral reefs [in Voyage of H.M.S. "Fly" 1 (1847): 347–8]. CD has always thought his Coral reefs "too bold and speculative", so he is gratified "when anyone who has had opportunities of observation does not give his verdict against it".

Summary

Honoured by GL’s review of Volcanic islands.

Sends copy [of South America].

Summary

Comments on paper by DM ["On the parallel roads of Lochaber", (1847) Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh 16 (1849): 395–418]. "I am not in the least convinced about the Barriers … [but] I am very much staggered in favour of the ice-lake theory of Agassiz & [William] Buckland." Will "send a letter to the Scotsman, in which I give briefly my present impression".

Cites facts mentioned in South America possibly of use to DM.