Summary

[Valediction only.] CD note on verso: Athenaeum/48/p. 839 "E. Forbes on genera being continuous in time––good––fact".

Summary

Though correspondence has never ebbed so low, CD is constantly in his thoughts.

Observations on cheetahs used as domesticated hunting animals.

Finds geographical barriers sometimes separate species, but also finds species that remain separate where there are no barriers to migration.

Colour "individuates" isolated animal species.

Plains and alpine animal distribution show altitude not strictly analogous to latitude.

Impact of timber cutting on climate has led to extinction of crocodiles.

Will discuss coal formation in letter to Edward Forbes.

CD often asked whether isolated mountains in southern latitudes had closely allied representatives of Arctic and north temperate plants; JDH has found a representative barberry.

Making for Darjeeling via Calcutta.

Summary

Agrees to pay Mr Mason as requested.

Summary

Will forward recommendation of Edward Cresy to Edwin Chadwick, but thinks there will be no further need of engineers.

Summary

Brian Hodgson reading CD’s Journal of researches with delight.

Forwarding breeding pamphlets.

JDH recommends P. S. Pallas on degeneration.

CD’s facts on sex in barnacles startling.

Hugh Falconer’s health.

Summary

Is sorry that any person has misunderstood his intentions. JEG read his papers on cirripedes at the Zoological Society without intending to interfere with CD’s work; he merely wished to record his old observations, made before CD commenced his study, and thought that by so doing he was helping CD. [See "Description of a new species of Anatifa" and "On Thaliella", Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. (1848): 44.]

Summary

Concerning the measurements of Balanus specimens with respect to growth.

Summary

Hugh Falconer’s misbehaviour.

Waiting out rains at Brian Hodgson’s.

Will make botanical transverse section of Himalayas from plains to snow.

Arrangements to pass Sikkim Rajah’s territory.

No evidence of glacial or diluvial action in sub-Himalayan mountains. No evidence of detrital coal formation.

Hodgson’s replies to CD on introduced species and hybrids.

Summary

He can distinguish varieties of guinea-fowl as soon as birds are hatched.

Behaviour of Malay hens.

Summary

Gives details of the illness of R. W. Darwin.

Summary

Informs CD of the death of their father and the funeral arrangements.