Summary

At the suggestion of J. D. Hooker CD offers his opinion on the value of a proposed collection to be made at the Galápagos. The display would not be attractive or appealing to amateurs in natural history, but the scientific value of good collections of every species would be very great if those of each island are rigorously kept separate.

Summary

Has just returned from collecting in Central America and is planning to go to the Galapagos to gather specimens in all branches of natural history.

Summary

JDH encourages a Mr Salwyn [Osbert Salvin] to collect in Galapagos; would like CD to add his encouragement.

Summary

Lyell is "half-hearted but whole-headed" for CD’s theory. George Bentham wholly converted.

Bates’s book delightful but has a Darwinistic bias.

Cameroon plants.

JDH defends Bates against J. E. Gray’s slanders.

Summary

Asks whether he ought to write to CD while he is ill.

Wonders if he might use Haast’s notes on introduced animals for a notice he is preparing ["Note on the replacement of species in the colonies and elsewhere", Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 4 (1864): 123–7].

Summary

Flora of Cameroons shakes JDH’s faith in ability to explain past or present migrations. Sees need for a major novel explanation such as natural selection, glacial cold, or continental connections.

Lyell in a bad way about feud with Falconer.

JDH’s opinion of Wallace, Bates, J. E. Gray, Owen, Asa Gray, Lubbock, and Bentham.

Bentham’s Linnean Society address [see 4118].

Summary

Thanks for CD’s testimonial.

Summary

CD thanks OS for answering his questions and especially for giving the case of the sandpiper; "such little facts are my delight". [See 6253.]

Summary

Publication Committee of Zoological Society has granted CD use of woodblock from the Society’s Proceedings.

Summary

AG’s application for an appointment to Assistant Keeper at the British Museum.