Summary

Encloses Ehrenberg letter, Galapagos seaweed, and specimens of Conferva.

H. Denny would like specimens of Antarctic Pediculi.

Summary

Encloses pamphlet from Ehrenberg who asks about deep-sea soundings from JDH’s voyage.

Summary

Encloses letter from Ehrenberg [758] about Infusoria.

Intends to visit Kew.

Summary

Thanks for shipments of earth samples. Sends copy of article describing Infusoria in samples ["Einige vorläufige Resultate … über das Verhalten des kleinsten Lebens in den Oceanen", Ber. k. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin (1844): 182–207]. Asks for more information and samples, especially from the soundings of Ross’s expedition.

Summary

Thanks for earth samples. Discusses Infusoria in samples from Galapagos and Cape Verde Islands. Would like samples from other sites. Will send further results of investigations.

Summary

Has at last received first letter CGE wrote.

More specimens being sent.

Sends his sketch of paper ["Fine dust in the Atlantic Ocean" (1846), Collected papers 1: 199–203].

D’Orbigny considers Pampas clay deposit result of debacle. CD cannot doubt it is slow, estuary deposit. Would be grateful for information on this point.

Summary

About the researches of Ehrenberg. "I have … sent him several packets of objects from my voyage & that of Dr. Hooker".

Summary

Would like sketch returned [see 775].

Would be particularly thankful for result of CGE’s observations on earth of Pampas.

Asks that Ernst Dieffenbach return copperplate and woodcuts.

Summary

Astonished that dust sample contains Infusoria. Thinks dust is volcanic. Will write account of falling dust [see 775]. Offers further samples.

Summary

Encloses letter from Ehrenberg [762], who wants information on deep-sea soundings from JDH’s voyage, and on isolated islands.

Summary

Acknowledges note and parcel for Ehrenberg.

Considers why different areas have different numbers of species. Gives an example opposing JDH’s view that paucity of species results from vicissitudes of climate. CD has concluded that species are most numerous in areas that have most often been divided, isolated from, and then reunited with, other areas. Cannot give detailed reasons but believes that "isolation is the chief concomitant or cause of the appearance of new forms".

Summary

Sends a specimen of rusty wheat from the banks of the Plata.

Asks for bits of peat he collected

and a bit of the paint used by Fuegians to colour themselves.

He will send these to C. G. Ehrenberg for analysis.

Summary

Thanks for information on printing charges

and for clarifying "typical forms".

In a few days CD will go away for six weeks.

Summary

Would like copy of "Galapagos flora" when published ["Plants of the Galapagos Archipelago", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 20 (1851): 163–233].

Will keep JDH’s Pacific island notes till his return.

Summary

CD has heard from Lyell that JM is inclined to publish a second edition of Journal of researches. His agreement with Henry Colburn leaves CD free to publish with anyone. Will have no further relations with Colburn. Discusses details of proposed revisions.

Summary

Sends specimens of grasses from Ascension Island for CD to forward to Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg.

Includes list of indigenous flowering plants of Ascension Island.

Summary

Previous letter [missing] on Edinburgh position was ill-tempered. Friends assure him that he ought to be thankful for opportunity to try for professorship.

Reports meeting with Humboldt in Paris.

Summary

Sends an essay ["Mikrogeologische Studien über das kleinste Leben der Meeres-Tiefgründe aller Zonen und dessen geologischen Einfluss", Abhandlungen der Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin (1873): 131-98.]

with expressions of admiration. CGE is confident their differences will not estrange them.

Remembers with gratitude the [Atlantic] dust that CD made available to him in 1844 [see 747].