Sends date of his mother’s death – 7 Apr 1859.

Was completely mystified by conjuring performance of [John Nevil] Maskelyne.

CD’s father has given him £200 to settle his debts.

He is delighted by a magnificent anonymous gift of a microscope.

Sees a good deal of the Henslows who are expecting a child soon.

CD still talks of the "Canary scheme"; he is learning Spanish.

Thanks CD for Insectivorous plants.

Is coming to London and hopes to visit Down.

Poverty keeps him at Shrewsbury.

The Canary scheme still goes, CD is studying Spanish and geology.

Jenyns has started CD on Diptera.

Can WDF recall the sex of the deaf white cats.

Will send his insects and two or three from Henslow.

The Canary scheme takes place next June.

Is grieved WDF thinks him capable of telling falsehoods.

Caroline [Wedgwood] has been ill for the last 20 months.

James Paget to be consulted about William Darwin’s brain concussion.

Reports on upward projection of Pulmonaria flowers.

Congratulates W. E. Darwin, who is about to be married,

and CD for the LL.D. conferred upon him by Cambridge.

Working hard on physiology of plants.

His son George sees no reason to change his view on marriage of cousins.

George’s astronomical work is too deep for CD.

Congratulates CD on his birthday.

WDF has been suffering from bronchitis.

CD and Frank Darwin hard at work on physiology of plants.

Letter of condolence on reading Times report of death of WDF’s daughter.

Thanks CD for his condolences. Reminisces about their youth.

On the death of his naturalist friend, W. C. Hewitson.

Informs CD that in his experience with peas he has never found the seed to deteriorate.

Sends family news;

describes what remains of his "menagerie" and tells of his interest in the framework of his son’s German badger-hound.

Fears he cannot give much information for CD’s book [Erasmus Darwin]. Recounts how his mother’s health was improved by Erasmus Darwin’s treatment. Remembers being attacked as a boy by an angry lady whose beautiful teeth were extracted by Dr Darwin "to cure some nervous spasms".

Received offer of post as naturalist in the Beagle in the same mail as WDF’s last letter. Outlines details of prospective voyage. Not certain, but thinks he probably will go.

Expresses pleasure that all is well with their friendship, which he prizes.

Has no letters or papers [of Erasmus Darwin].

Suggests CD cite some of Erasmus Darwin’s poems to answer the charge of atheism [see Erasmus Darwin, p. 44].

Recounts a story of a remarkable cure by Dr Darwin, showing his sagacity and daring.

His memory of his recently deceased father is a treasure to him.

Thanks WDF for information on the water-cure. Dislikes the thought of it.

Reports results of his experiments with tied-up fruit-trees.