Regrets not seeing CD before leaving on trip [to the U. S.]. CD’s move from London will be a privation for CL.

Returns charts on coral reefs.

Recalls Cuvier’s reaction to Principles of geology.

Comments on Wallace’s article in the Quarterly Review [see 6684].

Not opposed to ARW’s idea that Supreme Will might direct variation.

Quotes passage in letter from ARW arguing for causes other than selection in determining human abilities.

Discusses excavation of lakes by glaciers.

J. P. Lesley does not believe ice-sheets involved in eroding Appalachians.

Asks Lyell to put a question to CD: "To what far distant origin can the configuration of the skin surface [the symmetrical but different curves] at the last points of the fingers and toes be traced?"

Sends, for signature, a statement approving change in rules of the Leopoldino Academy [Dresden] to be forwarded to CD to sign.

Hopes that Charles Lyell has enjoyed his excursion.

Thanks for the extract from the American paper.

CD’s criticism of his book [Travels in North America (1845)].

Compares invertebrate animals of Tasmania and England.

Mentions views of C. J. F. Bunbury on climate of the Carboniferous period.

Robert Brown says Australian flora has the widest range.

No summary available.

Criticises at length the concept of submerged continents attaching islands to the mainland in the recent period. Notes drastic alteration of geography required, the dissimilar species on opposite shores of continents, and differences between volcanic islands and mountains of mainland areas. Admits sea-bed subsidence, but not enough to engulf continents. Denies that theory can explain island flora and fauna.

Considers Edward Forbes’s idea a check on study of dissemination of species.

Response to Origin. Praise for summary of chapter 10 and chapter 11.

The dissimilarity of African and American species is ‘necessary result of “Creation” adapting new species to the pre-existing ones. Granting this unknown & if you please miraculous power acting’.

C. T. Gaudin writes of Oswald Heer’s finding many species common between Miocene floras of Iceland and Switzerland. Interesting for CD’s migration theory.

Circular requesting recipients to sign an enclosed [missing] statement [relating to appeal for Naples Zoological Station] if they approve of it.

Ask JR to advise the Queen to issue Her Royal Commission of Inquiry into the best methods of securing the improvement of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.