Summary

Questions on breeding of plants: variation in established versus new varieties; predominance of wild species and old varieties when crossed with newer forms; predominance of males versus females; correlations between ease of hybridisation and tendency to vary and undergo cultivation; reversion; correlations between hybridisation and geographic distribution.

In WH’s Amaryllidaceae [1837], does he intend to say crossing is inimical to fertility?

[Sent via J. S. Henslow; note to amanuensis Syms Covington.]

Summary

Thanks WW for wedding gift.

Expresses admiration for his History of the inductive sciences [1837].

Summary

Acknowledges, on behalf of the Geological Society, receipt of the Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France, vol. 9, feuilles 29, 34.

Summary

Asks for some Anthus skins to examine [for Birds]. Fears they may turn out to be all one species. Sends details from his notes on Falkland Island specimens.

Summary

As Secretary of the Geological Society of London, CD formally expresses thanks for the American Philosophical Society’s Proceedings, vol. 1, no. 6.

Summary

Writes, as Secretary of the Geological Society, to thank GAM for his presents, a slab of anthracite with plant impressions (from Philadelphia) and some fossils from Cornwall.

Summary

Presents the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the now published second and third numbers of the first part of the Zoology.

Summary

Introduces Syms Covington and recommends him for employment in Australia.

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CD’s servant [Syms Covington] will work his passage to Australia.

Returns a curious stone, of which he hopes to publish an account. [See Volcanic islands, p. 38.]

Summary

CD has heard from the Treasury; they will pay the account [for the Zoology] as soon as Smith, Elder & Co. like.

Summary

CD is led to believe there are no true permanently inbreeding, sexually reproducing beings. Thanks for replies to breeding questions.

Asks for clarification of Hippeastrum crosses: is selfing or crossing with individual of same species intended and was increased fertility due to constitution of foreign parent or due to the pollen coming from another plant? Has WH known any hybrid or mongrel to revert or to vary in a manner unlikely to be effect of soil?

Sends Journal of researches.

Summary

Returns proof sheets and requests revises. Gives his opinion of Mr Walkers’s work.

Summary

Transmits, as on former occasions, the Smith, Elder & Co. account for the now published third number of the third part of the Zoology.

Summary

Asks for details of Smyth’s Island discovered by WHS – particularly whether the islets form a ring surrounding a lagoon. [See Coral reefs, p. 158].

Summary

Gives his opinion of a MS on geology. It is not really a scientific work. It might sell well, but CD’s opinion on success of sale is worthless.

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Presents the Smith, Elder & Co. account for the fourth number now published of the second part of the Zoology.

Summary

Hopes to publish volume on coral formations in a few months.

He and Emma live quietly, having given up parties.

Asks WDF if he remembers the Darwin family motto. He means to have a "seal solemnly engraved".

Summary

Urges JSH to describe Galapagos species in a paper on the flora of the islands.

Has been interested in geographical distribution and would be interested to have a paper by JSH on the general character of flora of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia.

"I keep on steadily collecting every sort of fact which may throw light on the origin & variation of species."

Summary

Gratified by AvH’s letter.

Sends data on temperature of the sea in the Galapagos, South Pacific, and the Abrolhos Islands.

Summary

Asks if WHM would be interested in the meteorological observations of the Falkland Islands made by B. J. Sulivan on a recent survey. Such observations are rare and appear to CD to have many points of interest.