Writes to CD as "Brother Benedick" and sends hearty good wishes for health and happiness in marriage. They are sending a little silver candlestick for a wax taper.

Asks WW to alter, before printing, the passages in WW’s Presidential Address to the Geological Society [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 3 (1839): 93] which pointedly allude to the delay in publication of CD’s Beagle journal; they might annoy FitzRoy, who, as Captain, has a right to first use of the papers of all officers on board.

Supports John Lawrance’s application to become a fellow of the Geological Society.

Returns Whewell’s presidential address to the Geological Society of London (Whewell 1839), and suggests that ‘rules’ be changed to ‘customs’.

Has finished earthquake paper ["Volcanic phenomena in South America" (1840), Collected papers 1: 53–86]. Gives instructions about a woodcut. There should be an outline map.

Sends his congratulations and best wishes on CD’s marriage.

Formal request for F. Lutké’s charts of the Caroline Islands and any charts by Beechey of the Lagoon Islands [Ellice Islands] that the Society might possess.

Has objected to loading Narrative with advertisements, but thinks CD’s Zoology and Geology might be advertised. Mentions other details of the final stages of publication.

Questions on breeding of plants: variation in established versus new varieties; predominance of wild species and old varieties when crossed with newer forms; predominance of males versus females; correlations between ease of hybridisation and tendency to vary and undergo cultivation; reversion; correlations between hybridisation and geographic distribution.

In WH’s Amaryllidaceae [1837], does he intend to say crossing is inimical to fertility?

[Sent via J. S. Henslow; note to amanuensis Syms Covington.]

Sends a book [his translation of Goethe’s Hermann u. Dorothea] as a wedding gift.

[Note forwarding 503.]

Lord Fitzwilliam’s gardener does not believe in hybrid ferns.

Thanks WW for wedding gift.

Expresses admiration for his History of the inductive sciences [1837].

Acknowledges, on behalf of the Geological Society, receipt of the Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France, vol. 9, feuilles 29, 34.

Sends fee for admission to the Geological Society and a signed obligation.

Asks for some Anthus skins to examine [for Birds]. Fears they may turn out to be all one species. Sends details from his notes on Falkland Island specimens.

Answers to [Questions about breeding].

As Secretary of the Geological Society of London, CD formally expresses thanks for the American Philosophical Society’s Proceedings, vol. 1, no. 6.

Writes, as Secretary of the Geological Society, to thank GAM for his presents, a slab of anthracite with plant impressions (from Philadelphia) and some fossils from Cornwall.

Presents the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the now published second and third numbers of the first part of the Zoology.

Introduces Syms Covington and recommends him for employment in Australia.