Summary

Thanks JM for present of 12 copies [of first part of Journal of researches, 2d ed.]. MS [of second part] will be sent to printer Monday or Tuesday.

Summary

On marking and shipment of fossils.

Has met the artist, J. M. Rugendas.

Discusses British and French relations with Rosas government [of Argentina].

Summary

Raises some points for revision of CD’s Journal of researches.

Southern island floras. "The more I ponder upon Insular Floras the less inclined I am to admit the mutation of species to any very great amount."

Summary

"It is evident that you have not time now to pay me a visit, & indeed as Mrs Darwin is in daily expectation of her confinement I could hardly have asked you … When I saw your name & that of many other naturalists at Cambridge, I wished much to have been there; but my strength so often fails me, that I expected more mortification than pleasure …

I should have liked to have heard the Crater-of-Elevation discussion; after having read both sides, I cannot subscribe to that view; but I think there remains something unexplained about those many vast circular volcanic ruins …

I presume it is very unprobable [sic] that there will ever be a second German Edition of my Journal … I have largely condensed, corrected & added to the Second English Edition, & I am sure have considerably improved & popularised it".

Summary

A son [George Howard Darwin] was born on Wednesday.

Sends queries on Galapagos flora.

Discusses JDH’s comments on [Journal of researches].

CD feels that with his views on descent "really Nat. Hist. becomes a sublimely grand result-giving subject".

"How differently people view the same subject, for I look at insular Floras … as leading to an opposite view to yours."

Summary

Notes the islands, where known, on which CD’s Galapagos beetles were found. Remarks that in none of the species whose place of origin is known, does he have specimens from more than one island.

Summary

Sent MS [of second part of Journal of researches] to William Clowes [printer] on the 7th and has had only three sheets for correction. Asks JM to see to it that Messrs Clowes send a sheet a day, as CD’s health is uncertain, and he cannot do more at last moment if sheets accumulate.

Summary

Thanks for facts on solitary islands having several species of peculiar genera; "it knocks on the head some analogies of mine".

Has long been trying to discover in how many flowers crossing is probable, but finds it difficult to show "even a vague probability of this".

Will JDH proof-read Galapagos chapter of Journal of researches?

Gives information on his Galapagos collection; explains why it differs from others.

Summary

Informs CD about characteristics of certain species of Galapagos birds.

Summary

Discusses colour of Zenaida from the Galapagos.

Summary

CD has bought a farm in Lincolnshire. Criticises primogeniture and stamp laws on land purchase.

Announces birth of G. H. Darwin.

Summary

Sent last sheet [of second part of Journal of researches] to printer yesterday. Will send half of MS for next part in four or five days.

Summary

Discusses names and distributions of Pacific shells. [Lists by CD and Edward Forbes record names and ranges of shells collected by HC in the Galapagos.]

Summary

Answers CD’s queries about the number and distribution of species in certain fish genera.

Summary

Comments extensively on CL’s book [Travels in North America (1845)]. Lyell’s views on slavery, the clergy, education, and coalfields. Has difficulty in tracing Lyell’s course. Comments on geological portions, especially CL’s comparisons of living and fossil organisms to those of South America and Tasmania; animal formation of carbonic acid and effects of vegetable decay; Indians’ use of lumber. Discusses water-borne transportation of wood, fruit, and seeds. Notes distribution of Arctic flora.

Summary

Sorry to hear about condition of JDH’s grandfather.

Sends proofs of Galapagos chapter of Journal of researches.

Grieves to hear labels are displaced on his plants.

May he annotate [F. Gérard’s] L’espèce [(1844), extracted from Dictionnaire universel d’histoire naturelle, ed. C. D. d’Orbigny (1839–49)]?

Summary

CD’s criticism of his book [Travels in North America (1845)].

Compares invertebrate animals of Tasmania and England.

Mentions views of C. J. F. Bunbury on climate of the Carboniferous period.

Robert Brown says Australian flora has the widest range.

Summary

Has again overrun his limits [in MS of third part of Journal of researches]. Sends JM a proof sheet of his account of Cape of Good Hope for decision whether to strike it out and save four pages.

Favourable notice of Journal has appeared in Gardeners’ Chronicle.

Summary

Will be pleased to provide a testimonial for J. D. Hooker, who is seeking the Chair in Botany at Edinburgh, but fears he himself is so little known that it could only be of the smallest service. Has asked Lyell to write to J. F. W. Herschel giving an opinion of J. D. Hooker.

Summary

Discusses the power of land covered with snow to radiate heat.

Criticises CL’s discussion of slavery [in Travels in North America (1845)]. A review of CL’s book is in Gardeners’ Chronicle.

Mentions John Lindley’s views on carbonic acid gas and extinction;

refers to the discussion of multiple and single creations in Humboldt’s Kosmos.

The origin of volcanic craters of elevation.

There is a popular demand for a new edition of Principles.

Praises palaeobotanical work of C. J. F. Bunbury.