Summary

On geological works of Tschudi and Buch.

"My health keeps indifferent & I do not suppose I shall ever be a strong man again: everything fatigues me, & I can work but little at my writing: this summer, however, I shall get out my geology of S. America".

"I found Bronn’s Geschichte, which you recommended me, very useful, for references to facts on variation".

Summary

Is pleased JDH will attend to polymorphism and also with the botanical relation, as stated by JDH, between Africa and Java.

Would welcome any information on impregnation in the bud.

Summary

CD’s suggestions for improving a paragraph by JDH.

On distribution of certain species and their variation relative to a central, typical form.

Summary

CD brought some plants in spirits from Tierra del Fuego. Did JDH see them?

Problems of explaining formation of coalfields. Comments on recent work on coal formation.

Summary

Responds to LH’s comments on South America.

Thinks it unsound to designate a geological epoch after man. Doubts people’s confidence in date of man’s introduction.

Criticises A. D. d’Orbigny’s theory of elevation of the Cordillera.

Lists sections of South America of special interest.

Summary

Acknowledges receipt of draft. When does JH want the money for the new farmhouse? Bankers are Robarts, Curtis & Co. JH to pay them the rent directly.

Summary

B. J. Sulivan has just arrived with fossil bones from Patagonia. Wants to arrange meeting.

Summary

Does not remember where specimens came from. CD picked fossils most likely to contain Infusoria. Discusses composition of Tertiary strata of South America from which they came. Questions WCW’s statement that they contained siliceous matter.

Summary

Regrets he cannot visit JDH.

Has been talking with Lyell about coal, which he finds utterly perplexing.

Is delighted with the generalisations in latest numbers of Flora Antarctica.

Summary

Is slaving at South America – ¾ finished.

Has discovered geologists never read each other’s works – "the only object in writing a book is a proof of earnestness … Geology is at present very oral".

Summary

Comments on forthcoming edition [7th (1847)] of CL’s Principles. Mentions other books relevant to CL’s needs by Hooker, H. G. Bronn, Edward Forbes, and J. G. Kölreuter. Discusses his own books on volcanoes and the geology of S. America.

Mentions expected visit to Down by the Lyells.

Summary

Thanks RM for "Dynamics of earthquakes" [Trans. R. Irish Acad. 21 (1848): 50–106]. It has cleared up his ideas on undulations. Now wishes he had said nothing about them in Journal of researches. Sends his paper ["Certain volcanic phenomena in S. America", Collected papers 1: 53–86]. Wishes RM would investigate Chile. Speculates whether earthquakes coincide with moon or tides.

Summary

Discusses proposed survey of Glen Roy. Mentions Glen Roy theories of Agassiz and William Buckland. Includes a memorandum calling for a careful survey of the parallel roads of Glen Roy. Mentions M. A. Bravais ["On the lines of ancient level of the sea in Finmark", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 1 (1845): 534].

Summary

Has nearly finished South America.

Pleased to hear JDH has worked out identical and representative species of N. Temperate and Antarctic regions.

Geoffroy Saint Hilaire’s "loi du balancement" as applied to plants.

CD jaded by, but has nearly completed, South America.

Summary

CD sends a copy [of South America] to Gardeners’ Chronicle and refers to a passage on Patagonian salt; asks for backing and specific information supplementing his suggestion that an added chloride would increase the salt’s preserving power.

Summary

Discusses enclosed MS of CD’s review [of G. R. Waterhouse, A natural history of the Mammalia, vol. 1 (1846); Collected papers 1: 214–17].

Summary

Comments on LJ’s Observations [in natural history (1846)].

Discusses variation among British birds, and the conflicting treatment of bird species by C. W. L. Gloger and C. L. Brehm.

Describes collecting incident of his student days involving Carabus.

Mentions squirrels eating insects.

Astonished to hear of terrestrial Planaria.

Comments on BAAS meeting in Southampton.

Summary

Concerned about Father’s health.

Forwards a letter from FitzRoy.

Dr Erasmus Darwin’s scientific prophecies are the talk of London.

Summary

CD has been stomachy and sick, but not very uncomfortable.

Working on proofs [of South America] and cannot keep printer supplied with manuscript.

His thoughts of her, and news of the children who are at Down with him.

Summary

News of progress in remodelling. He and Etty [Henrietta] miss the rest of the family.

Was sick, but "two pills of opium righted me".