William Yarrell has assured him that call ducks cross freely with common varieties. CD would like a seven-day duckling and an old one that dies a natural death.
CD is depressed – all his experiments are going wrong, "all nature is perverse and will not do as I wish it". Feels he is getting out of his depth.
Mentions his paper ["Transportal of erratic boulders", Collected papers 1: 218–27]. Discusses ice-borne rock. Reference to unpublished paper on icebergs [?"Power of icebergs to make grooves", Collected papers 1: 252–5]. Remarks on scoring by icebergs. Comments on judgment of theories by Geological Society.
JDH to be appointed Assistant Director at Kew.
On where to publish seed-salting paper. Floating problem perhaps more important than germination.
CD upset because salted seeds do not float.
Asks WDF to induce schoolboys to collect eggs of lizards and snakes for him. He will see whether they float and stay alive on sea-water.
Reports on his experiments on action of sea-water on seeds and the bearing of his investigations on the theory of centres of creation and Edward Forbes’s theory of continental extensions to account for distribution of organic forms. CD’s experiments confirm germination powers were retained after 42 days’ immersion by seven out of eight kinds of seeds.
Has filled up CD’s paper [see 1674].
Distribution and relationships of alpine flora in U. S.
He may insert his request for lizards’ eggs in Gardeners’ Chronicle.
His study of mongrel chicks is to ascertain whether the young of domestic breeds differ as much as their parents.
Has already sent a communication on means of distribution of plants by sea to Gardeners’ Chronicle [Collected papers 1: 255–8].
Will be obliged if any reader can provide eggs of lizard Lacerta agilis. Wants to ascertain whether they float in sea-water. Offers reward of a few shillings to boys for collecting.
Discusses his account.
CD’s seed paper in Gardeners’ Chronicle [Collected papers 1: 255–8];
CD attacks Forbes’s "Atlantis".
Considers solutions to floating problem. Decides to test Azores seeds.
Photographs and drawings of CD.
Plant movement experiments with Hedysarum gyrans.
No summary available.
Sends a letter of praise for the family Herschel, including especially JH and his father, William.
Was in London last week, but was unable to see JH as he had returned to Collingwood.
JH, 'completely broken in health,' ceased to be Master of Mint in Apr. 1855. Successor is Professor [Thomas] Graham of University College. Keep Master informed of stock of dies for coins in Sydney. Glad that EW's office as deputy-master is independent of colonial government. Regards to Charles Elouis and J. Triskett.
Final pay approved for JH. Thomas Graham has not yet received full authority [as JH's successor]. Production of Crimean Medal. No success in finding Benjamin Wyon's model of Kaffir Medal in War Department. Encloses reply from Philadelphia Mint regarding new weighing machine. Shipment of copper to Sydney branch mint. Cost of producing Kaffir ribbon. Wyon's dies are breaking.
Sign and return three enclosed letters from Cambridge University Commissioners to Lord Palmerston [H. J. Temple], John Russell, and Lord Chancellor [R. M. Rolfe] regarding amended Cambridge University bill.
Returns three letters [related to Cambridge University Commission], approved and signed. JH is 'utterly incapacitated from writing.'
Circular regarding coinage of florins, approved by W. E. Gladstone, plus enquiry sent to English bankers and JH's abstract of replies from bankers, are all stored at Mint. [James] Wilson may obtain copies there. Will forward GR's letter of 14 May 1855 to Mint and ask that these papers be located.
Encloses papers sent to JH from Treasury. R. F. Suft has responses from principal bankers in England; send copies of these at once to [James] Wilson.