Summary

News of family and friends.

Word that William Clift thinks CD’s latest fossils are of much value.

Summary

Has sent all of CD’s directions to William Clift.

Erasmus has been very ill, but is now quite safe and well again. Caroline and Susan are with him.

They have heard FitzRoy is promoted and the Beagle is coming home.

Summary

They learn from a garbled report in the Times that CD’s specimens have arrived in Cambridge.

William Clift, at Royal College of Surgeons, delighted by CD’s letter about the bones that were sent to Plymouth.

Strange coincidence that Royal College of Surgeons has the front portion and CD has sent home the remainder of a skull, of which a drawing can now be completed.

Other news of family and friends.

Summary

News of family and friends. Hensleigh Wedgwood’s scruples about swearing oaths.

Summary

Heights of various places in Chile.

Summary

Thanks for her letter of March, which gave him his first explanation of the interest in the [Megatherium] head he had sent.

Wants E. A. Darwin to tell William Clift not to remove numbers or markers on any specimens. The British Museum has first claim on any of his specimens; CD cannot at present say where any should go.

Summary

Became ill two weeks before on his return from Santiago after an interesting trip and some geology – though snow kept him out of the Andes. FitzRoy has had to sell the schooner; he was discouraged by the Admiralty, and the expense was too much for him to bear personally.

Summary

Thanks AS for a copy of his book, Discourse [on the studies of the University, 5th ed.].

Thinking of not sending his eldest son [William] to a classical school.

Summary

News of family and friends.

Summary

Birds has gone to the printer.

Continues "to collect all kinds of facts about ""varieties and species"" " for his "some-day work".

Would be grateful for descriptions of offspring of crossbred domestic animals.

Summary

Is searching for a tooth of Carcharias which he might have left with RO.

Summary

Gives a map of part of Chile between Santiago and San Fernando. Suggests places and people that CD might profitably visit [en route].

Summary

Questions on breeding and habits.

Summary

Mentions family news;

sends a little magazine [missing] dealing with South American mission and showing "what teaching and the gospel of Christ is doing for those poor Natives".

Summary

Sends detailed report on the prospects for a settlement on the coast of Patagonia, pointing out many problems, and recommending instead the Falkland Islands.

Summary

Describes his appointment, the Beagle, his companions, and the objectives of the voyage. Gives his schedule before departure.

Summary

Looks forward to seeing volcanoes in Galapagos Islands.

Has altered his views on Cordillera formations as a result of another trip. Discusses his theory of their origin and history.