JDH delighted by letter from [Charles] Darwin [CD]. [Brian Houghton] Hodgson reading CD’s journal & has some pamphlets on breeds etc for CD from the ASIATIC SOCIETY JOURNAL. Wonders if CD knows of Pallas’ memoir on degeneration of animals. JDH in very good health. [Hugh] Falconer has been unwell but is much better & is trying to get his English time to count towards his length of service. JDH wishes the Darwin’s were all well. Finds CD’s fact about male & female barnacles startling. The Surveyor General [Colonel Waugh] has announced measurements of one of the Himalayan mountains [Kanchenjunga] which make it the highest in the world.