Requesting two books, Lafitau 1724 and Tanner 1830.

CD thanks the editor of a picture book "for … the photographs of your striking pictures, & for the honour which you have done me by the introduction of my name and likeness into one of them".

On the results of Robert Bunsen’s journey to Iceland, which he compares in detail with his own research.

"I have for the present given up Geology, & am hard at work at pure Zoology & am dissecting various genera of cirripedes, & am extremely interested in the subject." "I always, however, keep on reading & observing on my favourite work on Variation or on Species, & shall in a year’s time or so, commence & get my notes in order."

Sending the membership certificate for Francis Maitland Balfour.

Acknowledges receipt of a publication from a German author. Hopes that the German will not be too difficult to understand in an "important & abstruse" subject.

Sends autograph and wishes EE success in his scientific studies and career.

Suggests MJ does not worry about the differences in opinion between ecclesiastics and scientists.

Requesting a volume of the Philosophical Transactions said to contain two papers by Erasmus Darwin, also a third paper if it can be found.

Requesting parts or volume of the Philosophical Transactions due to him.

No summary available.

Sending a Royal Society certificate of candidacy for his son Francis.

Queries account for book "Fauna Neapol. II"

"The number of worms in your garden is astonishing … it will be an interesting observation, how soon the land is again stocked with worms, & whether the grass grows better before this happens. – I neglected to observe whether worms distruct [disturb?] the roots of grasses. – You will probably be able to borrow … my book On the Formation of Vegetable Mould … in which … you will find a good deal about the natural history of worms."

Sends photograph in case recipient collects them.

Returns book by Friedrich Rolle. Author has sent copies.

Sends stamps to the value of 1s. 1d. and asks for parcel to be sent to 6 Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square, London.

CD sends off his notes [corrections and additions to his Journal of researches] which he hopes ED will introduce [in German translation].

On ED’s planned edition [German] of CD’s Journal of researches.

Informs him of his forthcoming volume, Volcanic islands.

"I am well acquainted with your paper on Chatham Island ["An account of the Chatham Islands", J. R. Geogr. Soc. 11: 195–215], & … those passages on the very curious fact of the apparent specific differences of the birds there & at New Zealand".

Thanks ED for recognition of his "small labours in Natural History… . praise from men, like yourself, is the only, though quite sufficient, reward I ever expect or wish to obtain for my works. – I have lately had the extreme satisfaction of hearing that Hooker speaks highly of the accuracy … of my statements". Refers to Humboldt and Owen.

"You will have been sorry to have seen in the newspapers, the disturbances & fightings with the New Zealanders. – I have lately been much interested in reading your chapters on the slow decrease in numbers … of these poor people. The case appears to me very curious, especially as the decrease has commenced or continued since the introduction of the potato – the relation between the amount of population & of food is hence inverted. It would have been a case for the great Malthus to have reflected on".

Delighted to be able to contribute Infusoria to ED’s "great countryman Ehrenberg". Includes a list of eight substances from his collection described in detail, which Ehrenberg might find useful in his researches.

[With the notation "If not there to be forwarded by favour of Prof. Liebig" on the address.] "I am very glad to hear that you are going to edit a German Geological Journal".