CD in London to meet with naturalists about his collections. Lyell and Owen are helpful, but no one else, except R. E. Grant, seems to want to examine his specimens.

Alerts JSH to boxes of specimens and letter of 30 Oct on the way by wagon.

Thomas Bell has expressed interest in CD’s Crustacea and reptiles.

CD’s ignorance about his botanical specimens embarrasses him.

Asks whether JSH is disappointed with Galapagos plants.

Fragment glued to CD’s notes on rock specimens. The recto refers to one of CD’s specimens, the verso mentions his Keeling Island plants.

Publication plans for the account of the Beagle expedition – CD to have the third volume for his journal.

News of naturalists and their interest in his specimens. Queries about plant specimens, including one on whether seeds from Keeling Island would endure salt water.

Plans to apply to Government for assistance with publishing Zoology.

Robert Brown has taken an interest in the fossil woods.

CD is at work on his journal. Has not begun his geology yet. Has seen much of Lyell.

CD to read paper on formation of coral islands at Geological Society. Lyell seems prepared to give up [his view].

Publication of the Narrative is now definite. Feels he should have published journal after the geology and zoology of the voyage.

Robert Brown, as well as JSH, is interested in edible fungi from Tierra del Fuego.

Upon the advice of Captain Beaufort and with embarrassment to himself CD asks JSH whether he would be perfectly willing personally to take the letter requesting government assistance directly to Thomas Spring Rice [Chancellor of the Exchequer].

Encloses CD’s letter and documents [see 360a and 361a] with request that they be reviewed by the Chancellor personally.

He would also like to discuss Cambridge politics if an interview can be arranged.

Has been "cramming up learning to ornament my journal with".

Sends a list of questions on his botanical specimens. Needs answers for Journal of researches, which he expects to go to press in August.

Botanical queries for Journal of researches, which is about to go to press.

Reports his successful interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer [Thomas Spring Rice] about a grant for publishing [Zoology]. Thanks JSH for help with this; "you have been the making of me from the first".

Doctors have urged him to knock off all work and go to the country. Arranges proof-reading with JSH, while he is at Shrewsbury.

Proof-reading arrangements for Journal of researches. CD’s difficulty in writing correctly.

CD’s reasons for his reluctance to take the Secretaryship of the Geological Society.

CD’s work [on Zoology] is going smoothly. Marvels at finding himself an author [of Journal of researches]. Part so far printed has a good many errata.

Asks JSH to look over the prospectus [for Zoology]. Has one more chapter of Journal of researches to finish.

Sends rock specimen for W. H. Miller. Asks JSH to see whether there is any geology in P. B. Webb and Sabin Berthelot, Histoire naturelle des Îles Canaries [1835–50]. Finds his work on geology growing so large that it will take more than one volume and asks whether this will make publication aid more difficult.

Has accepted Secretaryship of the Geological Society.

Will not come to Cambridge because "as long as I continue well I cannot bear to leave my work for half a day".

Declines Ray Club dinner; too busy with Zoology.

Thanks JSH for presenting his work to Cambridge Philosophical Society.

Asks him to get an answer from W. H. Miller on specimen of crystallised mineral.

Relates plan for an appendix to his Journal of researches which will include facts of species of birds’ being different in different islands of the Galápagos and also of the lizards and tortoises on the islands. Asks JSH whether he can supply parallels in the plant life.

On his 15th wedding anniversary JSH writes to CD wishing him happiness as great as JSH has had in his marriage, and adds some advice.