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

Encloses quasi-hybrid Laburnum.

Suggests a new view of symmetry of flowers.

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

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

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

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

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

A specimen of Machairodus offered for sale by F. J. Muñiz.

Discusses possible publication in England of paper by Muñiz describing the skeleton.

Sends pamphlet on scarlatina in the Pampas.

Summary

Honoured by GL’s review of Volcanic islands.

Sends copy [of South America].

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

Delighted that Brongniart thinks Sigillaria aquatic, and that E. W. Binney thinks coal is a sort of submarine peat. Thinks coal-plants will prove to be aquatic, though JDH will sneer at this.

Has acquired a new microscope.

Summary

F. J. Muñiz has offered fossil bones collected around Buenos Aires to the Royal College of Surgeons. He believes he can complete their Megatherium skeleton and provide other specimens. CD feels he should be encouraged in his work.

Summary

Responding to GG’s offer to aid CD’s natural history researches on New Zealand, CD suggests that limestone caverns should be examined for fossils and that observations on the presence and range of erratic boulders in New Zealand would be very valuable.

Summary

Discusses David Milne’s Glen Roy paper ["On the parallel roads of Lochaber", Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh 16 (1849): 395–418]. Rejects Milne’s theory that outlet of Glen Roy is blocked by detritus. Impressed by Milne’s discovery of an outlet at the level of the second shelf. Believes this strengthens theory that lakes were formed by glacier blocking Glen Roy. Offers arguments against glacier theory.

Summary

Memorial presented by members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science and other scientific societies, submitting that natural history is inadequately provided for by the present constitution of the Board of Trustees of the British Museum.

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

Quotes from South America [p. 167] on the foliation of metamorphic rocks.

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.