Summary

CD sends seeds found by W. Kemp of Galashiels with explanation and request that they be planted and a report sent to him, so that Kemp may publish his discovery if results are interesting.

Summary

Will be happy to report on seeds sent by CD. Suggests names.

Summary

Spoke to Henry Warburton, W. H. Fitton, and E. B. Greenough on CD’s idea of a Government grant for publication [not identified].

Will read at next meeting his paper on erect Nova Scotia fossil trees [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 4 (1843–5): 176–8].

E. P. Halstead reports on shores rising off Burma and Bay of Bengal.

Unpacking his U. S. fossils.

Phillips looked at beds below coal in Pennsylvania. Result is the usual different species found but with complete representation of forms.

Summary

Replies to queries by CD. Describes Clipperton Rock [SW. of Mexico] and Cocos Island. Mentions possible species of Cactornis. Discusses depth of water at Bow Island [Hao, Tuamotu Archipelago], and occurrence of coral formations at various islands.

Summary

Regrets that he can offer little aid. If he sees Captain FitzRoy, he will give him GAM’s letter to read at leisure.

Summary

Thanks Jackson for putting him on list for Council of Geographical Society, but he is unable to serve.

Summary

Has not yet heard from R. Brown, but John Lindley thinks species will probably turn out to be common ones.

Summary

Describes alterations being made at Down House. Accepts father’s offer to lend him money.

Summary

Thanks father for loan. Explains difficulty of acquiring the land through which the approach to Down House now runs.

Summary

Describes siege [of Montevideo].

Reports on appearance and habits of horses and cattle of Falkland Islands; wild rabbits and pigs. Geology of the Falklands, especially of West Island. Discusses supposed discovery of coal. Has sent fossil specimens to CD.

Summary

Capt. FitzRoy has read GAM’s letter to CD regarding an appointment for GAM’s son and is disposed to help, but has resolved to make no appointments until he arrives in New Zealand [as Governor].

Summary

Sends notes on volcanic islands for LH to read and return.

[Letter could be an inaccurate contemporary copy to which the copyist interpolated details, or a forgery. The address "Down House Orpington Kent" occurs nowhere else.]

Summary

Requests information as to means of sending two pamphlets to a professor in the United States.

Summary

Discusses poor impression of plates [for Reptiles by Thomas Bell].

Summary

Offers to pay for use of plate of map of S. America and for three woodcuts, for German edition of Journal of researches [1844].

Summary

CD gratified that ED wants to translate his Journal. Will send a copy of Coral reefs, which contains a fuller treatment of topic. Perhaps ED would insert a note to this effect. Can lend woodcuts from Coral reefs if ED wants. CD will send a few corrections; he wants to amend way he criticised Agassiz’s glacier theory.

He is also enclosing a questionnaire concerning differences between races or varieties and species, about which he intends to publish sometime.

Summary

Testimonial letter for GRW for position at British Museum.

Summary

Says Colburn will allow German publisher to use copperplate and woodcuts [for Journal of researches]. Has been delayed in corrections owing to death of a relative [Josiah Wedgwood II].

Summary

CD will be gratified to learn that RBH has recognised a species of Cactornis as a native of Bow Island [Hao, Tuamotu Archipelago].

Summary

Classification consists of grouping beings according to descent from common stocks. Analogies are resemblances between forms not inherited from common stocks. Neither number of species nor grade of organisation should be considered in classification. Admits that caution is necessary in admitting a few species to form a group of rank equal to one containing many species.