Summary

Responds to Owen’s remarks that his book [Origin] is not likely to be true because it attempts to explain so much. CD describes how, for fear this might be so, he resolved to give up the work if he could not convince two or three competent judges. He is sensitive because of unjust things said by a distinguished friend [A. Sedgwick]. Value of his views now depends on men eminent in science.

Summary

Has written to Royal College of Surgeons, exactly as RO recommended, concerning disposition of his South American fossil bones. He fixed on the British Museum, rather than Paris, to receive plaster casts, because he was on board a King’s ship. Suggests RO propose another set for Paris, where they would be more useful than at BM. Has scarcely begun unpacking his cases.

Summary

Dissected beak of Rhynchops shows no extensive innervation. But beak may nevertheless be a sensitive organ of touch as CD suggests.

Summary

Sends remaining proofs of RO’s description of Toxodon [Fossil Mammalia] and a revise of first part. Will Owen want a second revise? CD has made "plenty of remarks".

Summary

Sends perfect revise of "Toxodon" [Fossil Mammalia] which he has read and marked.

Summary

CD sorry RO is not well and fears work on Macrauchenia may have contributed. Thinks new name very good. Other details concerning publication [of Zoology, pt 1, no. 1].

Summary

Delighted by RO’s discussion in this sheet. RO should return revises to printer and get remaining ones.

Summary

Would like to call upon RO to discuss the last engravings sent by George Scharf. CD assumes that the revise of Toxodon [see 395] was received.

Summary

Sends RO a box of fossils from William Darwin Fox, from the Isle of Wight.

Summary

Thanks CD effusively [for Journal of researches] – "the most delightful book in my collection".

Summary

Asks RO whether he has any MS [of Fossil Mammalia, no. 4] ready and to see that the plates are finished.

Summary

Sends a proof title page and asks RO to send a list of plates and contents [of Fossil mammalia] to the printer, Mr Stewart.

Summary

Sends elephant tooth from Africa. Suggests it may be interesting in light of his [mistaken] memory of Cuvier’s opinion about tusk brought from Peru by Humboldt.

Summary

CD and [Emma Darwin] are invited to "a holiday musical evening".

Summary

Informs Owen of the fossil finds of F. J. Muñiz in south America.

Summary

Invites the Owens to stay at Down, joining Falconer and a few others.

Summary

A specimen of Machairodus offered for sale by F. J. Muñiz.

Discusses possible publication in England of paper by Muñiz describing the skeleton.

Sends pamphlet on scarlatina in the Pampas.

Summary

Asks to visit RO to talk about mammifers of the [Rio] Plata.

Summary

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

Summary

Pleased at RO’s praise of Coral reefs.

Has read with very great interest RO’s "Report on the archetype" [Rep. BAAS 16 (1846): 169–340]. RO should give name to every letter or number in his woodcuts.