Has just arrived in London, and would like to visit the following morning at breakfast time.

Description and defence of his view of the tosca in Banda Oriental, along the Rio Uruguay and at the Rio Negro, taking issue with A. D. d’Orbigny. Refers to the pumice in the Patagonian Territory. Two tables show the layered tosca formation along the Uruguay.

Thanks CL for his book [The student’s elements of geology (1871)].

Is correcting proofs [of Descent].

Asks about CL’s new book [Travels in North America (1845)].

Discusses views of A. D. d’Orbigny on elevation.

Mentions reading W. H. Prescott [History of the conquest of Mexico (1843)].

Remarks on fossils described in A. D. d’Orbigny’s Voyage dans l’Amérique méridionale.

Asks CL whether he has talked with John Murray concerning 2d ed. [of Journal of researches].

Mentions conversation with Hugh Cuming about South American shells. Has had G. B. Sowerby (elder) look at some specimens.

Comments on CL’s Principles of geology, 11th ed.

Discusses natural selection in man.

Comments on migration as a factor in evolution. Suggests pamphlet by August Weismann on the subject [Über den Einfluss der Isolierung (1872)].

Thanks him for interesting letter from a Mr Wood on heredity in fruit-trees.

Comments on enclosed discussion of S. American geology by Agassiz. Mentions elevation of Patagonia and glaciation.

Hopes that Charles Lyell has enjoyed his excursion.

Arranges a visit to CL.

Sends the first part of Journal of researches [2d ed.]. Explains his dedication of book to CL. Describes revisions.

Has received CL’s book [Travels in North America, 2 vols. (1845)].

Offers condolences on the death of CL’s wife.

Thanks CL for copy of Antiquity of man [4th ed. (1873)]; will read the modified or new parts.

Thanks for the extract from the American paper.

Comments extensively on CL’s book [Travels in North America (1845)]. Lyell’s views on slavery, the clergy, education, and coalfields. Has difficulty in tracing Lyell’s course. Comments on geological portions, especially CL’s comparisons of living and fossil organisms to those of South America and Tasmania; animal formation of carbonic acid and effects of vegetable decay; Indians’ use of lumber. Discusses water-borne transportation of wood, fruit, and seeds. Notes distribution of Arctic flora.

Discusses the power of land covered with snow to radiate heat.

Criticises CL’s discussion of slavery [in Travels in North America (1845)]. A review of CL’s book is in Gardeners’ Chronicle.

Mentions John Lindley’s views on carbonic acid gas and extinction;

refers to the discussion of multiple and single creations in Humboldt’s Kosmos.

The origin of volcanic craters of elevation.

There is a popular demand for a new edition of Principles.

Praises palaeobotanical work of C. J. F. Bunbury.

Discusses apple specimens received from CL; reversion to crab state. Cites passage on subject in Variation.

Comments on letter from Mr Wood on inheritance in fruit-trees.

Would like to cross flowers of "Hawthornden" with many distinct varieties.

Discusses American Negroes and their parasitic lice. Henry Denny’s need for lice specimens.

Discusses effects of racial crosses in man.

Describes his trip to Yorkshire.

Comments on Sedgwick’s review [of Vestiges of creation].

Mentions Humboldt’s Kosmos. Criticises Humboldt’s geology.

The coral-reef book has been invaluable [J. D. Dana, Corals and coral islands (1872); used by CD in Coral reefs, 2d ed. (1874)].

Thanks for Saturday Review.