Sends Lord Enniskillen’s account of origin of the Irish yew: transplanted from the wild; propagated by cuttings thereafter. Offspring recently raised from seed are intermediate between common and Irish [weeping] yew.

[Recto is a list of Galapagos shells, by island, signed GBS. Verso is another list of shells in EF’s hand.]

Thanks for earth samples. Discusses Infusoria in samples from Galapagos and Cape Verde Islands. Would like samples from other sites. Will send further results of investigations.

Thanks for shipments of earth samples. Sends copy of article describing Infusoria in samples ["Einige vorläufige Resultate … über das Verhalten des kleinsten Lebens in den Oceanen", Ber. k. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin (1844): 182–207]. Asks for more information and samples, especially from the soundings of Ross’s expedition.

Suggests there is a direct relation between temperature and abundance of plant species.

Discusses the connection between climate and vegetation. Believes that an equable climate is unfavourable to increase of species either by importation or modification of existing forms; illustrates his view with reference to particular floras. Hopes to acquire facts to support CD’s idea that isolation is important in producing new forms. Considers the floras of islands some of which do have distinctive species but others of which do not. Agrees that the wide ranges of cryptogams are a consequence of their means of dispersal. Asks for references to works on original creation and species mutability in order to get the best notions of "the (mad) theories of some men from Lamarck’s twaddle upwards".

Has never heard of species of same genus [of parasites] being found on both birds and mammals, or different genera and species being found on animals in the domestic and wild states. Implications of this for relationship of aperea and guinea-pig.

Sends notes on Infusoria for Ehrenberg.

Comments on distribution of species in natural orders that have local distributions. Intermediate forms between species of Lycopodium.

Differences in variability of species within a single genus. Further observations on Lycopodium.

Interested in Humboldt’s river with different floras on opposite banks, and other unexplained cases of very local distributions.

Would like to visit on the weekend of 7–8 December.

Differences in floras of St Helena and Ascension.

[Notes on conversations with J. D. Hooker.] Geographical distribution; diffusion and distribution of species. Island and mountain floras; means of migration (high-roads, icebergs).

Discusses microscopic examination of rock specimens taken from Pampas deposit and from Chilean tuff. Says he finds organic remains only in the tuff.

Thanks for CD’s comments on "sketch".

Lengthy discussion of geographical distribution and island floras.

Has been "delighted with" [Robert Chambers’] Vestiges [of creation (1844)].

Galapagos flora work goes on well.

Notes on Galapagos Coleoptera.

Sends names of species found in banks of marine shells near Buenos Aires. Shells identified by G. B. Sowerby (elder). [See South America, pp. 2–3.]

Sends information on Gryphaea orientalis. [See South America, p. 212.]

Says tuff collected by CD in Pampas and Chile contains organic remains. Wants to examine specimens further and hopes for Government support in doing so.

Reports on an ancient town on Ascension, which is now at sea-level and approachable only by boat.

Sends comparison of the floras of Society and Sandwich Islands.

Sends results of chemical tests on specimens [of salt, see South America, pp. 73–5].

Encloses abstract from Justus Liebig on composition of bones and their ability to withstand decay.