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.

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.

Sends information about, and dates of treatment of peaty fields. Marl seems to have sunk to the natural stratum of hard white sand which lies below the peat.

Thanks for "Maer Hypothesis" ["Formation of mould" (1840), Collected papers 1: 49–53].

RF declines to give an opinion on the wording of the preface to CD’s volume [Journal and remarks, vol. 3 of Narrative, published separately as Journal of researches] and refers him to a disinterested third party.

CD’s response [missing] comes from the heart. RF explains that CD’s preface [to Journal and remarks, vol. 3 of Narrative] offended him in not acknowledging the part RF and the other officers had in helping CD. Beagle voyage was the first on which officers could have kept any specimens they collected, but they gave preference to CD.

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

No summary available.

No summary available.

Returns the specimens with the names. Sends a magnificent specimen of Orobanche, which may be a new species. Comments on the scent of plants. Will be glad to hear the results of his experiments on the temperature of bulbs. Comments on changes due to removal. Sleep in plants.

Comments on William Whewell's and Charles Babbage's writings, together with family news.

Has delayed writing in order to send the correspondence about the Observatory. Has received a letter from the Colonial Office praising his work and increasing his salary, also taking over financial responsibility for the instruments. Is not satisfied with the life at Mauritius.

Sending his pamphlet on the tea plant. Comments on the geological features of the Chittagong area. Hopes that JH will have time to look at the fossils.

Gives a list of the close Polar stars. Started last night to observe the stars on JH's list but was put off by JH's right ascensions. Will observe each star again this night. John Fairbairn cannot divest himself of the apprehension of danger to Andries Stockenström.

Encloses a plan of the triangulation and comments on his method. Thinks of making the baseline on the parade a permanent standard and has written to the Governor to obtain permission, as there is friction between the Board of Ordnance and the Cape Authorities over the ownership of the Parade. Has had no reply from the Governor as yet.

Sends the results of one good night's observations entirely reduced. More transit observations are in process of being reduced.

Sending the mean of all the observations on the polars. Comments on the base line, and gives readings.

Sends two drawings of C. P. Smyth and a portrait of Isaac Newton sent by Dr. [John?] Lee; also a plan of the triangulation.

Thanks for the perusal of [W. H.?] Smyth's letter; also had one, which he will send later when he has considered certain points. The zenith sector is on board the Wellesley, expected daily. Benjamin D'Urban has granted all TM's wishes regarding the survey. Re-surveyed the ground this morning.

Examined the base line on Tuesday; gives a resume of the operations. On Monday night observed the Polar stars; comments on the disappearance of certain stars in the Brisbane catalogue. Thinks a chain is preferable to deal rods in measuring base lines.

Hard at work mapping the polar stars. Rejoices at Dr. Andrew Smith's success. The results of tonight will be delivered by J. K. Gibbs in the morning.