Delighted that Brongniart thinks Sigillaria aquatic, and that E. W. Binney thinks coal is a sort of submarine peat. Thinks coal-plants will prove to be aquatic, though JDH will sneer at this.
Has acquired a new microscope.
CD defends his position on submarine coal formation and coal-plants against JDH’s strong objections.
Thinks JDH should arrange his facts against the aquatic formation of coal.
CD would like to call on JDH.
CD proposes to call for tea if he is well enough on Thursday.
Discusses accounts.
Cannot visit Alford [farm] this summer.
Thanks for JS’s note concerning a proposal [concerning some aspect of education of poor children?] which CD has to decline because of his poor health and his work in Natural History.
Will call on JDH on Thursday, if convenient.
Has heard JDH does not return until tomorrow, so will not be able to see him at Kew but hopes to do so at Oxford meeting of BAAS.
Bunbury and Falconer strongly against idea of coal being submarine.
Comments on correspondence between CL and Whewell [concerning university reform].
Criticises S. G. Morton’s "Hybridity in animals" [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 3 (1847): 39–50, 203–12].
Encloses quasi-hybrid Laburnum.
Suggests a new view of symmetry of flowers.
Will discuss coal and species sketch at Oxford [BAAS meeting (1847)].
Gives further details on peculiar Laburnum.
Can JDH lend him a full treatise on grafting?
Encloses another specimen of the "bilateral" Laburnum flower.
JDH’s aunt cannot find lodgings for CD.
Similarities between floras of Tierra del Fuego, Van Diemen’s Land, and New Zealand; does not feel migration sufficient explanation.
CD will take a room in Magdalen Hall at Oxford; thanks JDH’s aunt for trouble.
JDH’s books have arrived.
Glad to hear of new plants from Van Diemen’s Land and New Zealand.
Must decline invitation for dinner; he is unwell.
Congratulations on JDH’s engagement.
Sorry JDH is so determined on an expedition.
Glad BS intends to visit England. Fears there will be few geologists in London in August. Would be truly glad to see BS at Down, but cannot offer much geological information respecting England.
Regrets not seeing HD at Oxford meeting [of BAAS].
He may keep duplicates of parasitic insects from CD’s collection. Lyell has collected Pediculi for HD from Negroes in North America.