Summary

Writes of domestic matters

and asks WED to observe cart-horses for traces of dark stripes on spine and cross-stripes on shoulder.

Summary

CD intends to enter WED at Christ’s College.

Thanks him for inquiries made about horses.

Summary

Has been at Moor Park since Tuesday. Is passing his time watching ants.

Summary

Has come to heavy grief about bees’ cells, unless Huber is wrong [François Huber, New observations on the natural history of bees, new ed. (1841)].

Discusses cart-horses and stripes on a Belgiman [Belgian?].

Summary

Relates domestic affairs.

Thinks his bees’ cell theory will hold good.

Summary

Discusses bees’ cells

and WED’s botanical interests.

Summary

Relates events at home;

hopes WED gets the scholarship.

Summary

Discusses domestic affairs.

Is working at the abstract of his book [Origin].

Asks WED to examine birds’ feet for dirt sticking to them, as this may represent a means of seed dispersal across seas.

Summary

Sends £20. Family news.

Answers WED’s questions about CD’s Journal of researches: Galapagos "productions" all came from America, but "they have since been modified by my principle of Natural Selection".

Summary

Writes to WED about his living arrangements at Christ’s College; reminisces about his own Cambridge days.

Summary

Glad WED has begun under George Henslow in the way that he has. CD wishes he had had such practice under J. S. Henslow.

Has had luck in his search for striped horses.

Summary

Discusses matters relating to WED’s first term [at Cambridge].

Summary

Approves of WED’s moving into CD’s old rooms [at Christ’s College]. Gives fatherly advice on Cambridge’s temptation to idleness. Christmas plans.

Health poor of late.

Summary

Sends WED a bank draft.

Summary

Discusses events at Moor Park and domestic matters.

Summary

Sends cheque.

Summary

Writes of events at Down: mostly of playing billiards on their new table.

Summary

Discusses WED’s plans for the summer.

Summary

Reports events at Down.

Is busy with proofs [of Origin];

is anxious to hear how WED does in his examinations.

Summary

Discusses affairs at Down and WED’s coming trip to the Lakes.

Is getting on very slowly with his "confounded proof-sheets" [of Origin].