CL’s comments on Origin. Mentions corrections to last chapter suggested by CL.

Comments on lack of peculiar bird species on Madeira and Bermuda. Emphasises importance of American types in Galapagos.

Denies necessity of continued creation of primitive "Monads".

Denies need for new powers and any principle of improvement.

Discusses gradations of intellectual powers.

Adaptive inferiority and extinction of groups of species and genera.

Asserts that climate is less important than the struggle with other organisms.

Suggests an experiment involving primroses and cowslips.

The chapter on hybridisation.

Rudimentary organs.

Gives opinion of Lamarck’s work.

Cites cases of leguminous plants whose cleistogamic flowers produce more seed than perfect flowers. [See Forms of flowers, p. 326.]

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

Inquires about the nature of some money recently paid to him.

Comments on MS by C. S. Bate. Bate not aware of other work on Cirripedia; cites Bate’s errors. Would Bate allow CD to use his drawings in Living Cirripedia? [See Living Cirripedia 1: 9–16.]

Lists plants of Metia or Aurora Island collected during visit in Sept 1839. Flora same as that of neighbouring Tahiti.

Announces birth of his fourth son, Leonard.

Hooker’s imprisonment.

Birth of Leonard Darwin.

Barnacles will never end; on to fossils.

Is sending JSB sponges.

He returns the Plumularia on which the beautiful Scalpellum ornatum was attached. [See 1229.]

Comments on paper by CHLW.

Considers effect of heat on bending of strata, and producing volcanoes and elevation.

"I can have no doubt that speculative men, with a curb on, make far the best observers."

Results of crosses in Phlox.

Replies to CD’s questions regarding impregnation of peas, beans, cabbages, and other plants by insects, wind, etc.

On Himalayan stratigraphy. Believes JDH’s observations of glacial action are the first ever done east of Urals.

Barnacles and the species theory; impressed with variation.

Effect of CD’s species sketch on JDH’s view of willow systematics.

Thanks CSB for drawings of [cirripede] larva and for permission to cite unpublished paper ["On the development of the cirripedes", Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 2d ser. 8 (1851): 324–32]. Describes method of preserving specimens. Mentions Balanus common on tidal rocks at Tenby.

Thanks CSB for cirripede larvae.

Has been unwell.

Cannot see transverse articulation referred to and does not believe in it.

Sends species synonyms.

Discussion of Chthamalinae.

Suggests using asphalt to seal specimen containers.

Comments on mouth of larva.

Discusses share dealings and investment matters.

Discusses the [CD/Emma] marriage trust.

Writes concerning marriage trust.

Sends record of pigeon flight from London to Antwerp. [Lord W. Lennox, Merrie England (1857), p. 185.]

Wants catalogue of small islands that contain peculiar plants. Thinks complete floras of islands in various stages of depression [subsidence] would provide good data.