Comments on HES’s Report ["Report of a committee … (on) nomenclature of zoology", Rep. BAAS 12 (1842): 105–21]. Suggests limit be put to changing names that are only partially erroneous to prevent those who detect the error from coining new names and attaching their own. HES’s rule for "authority for a species" is difficult, though on the whole best. Suggests stating it boldly to prevent appropriation of species names by "tacker[s] of two old names together".

[Excerpt copied from a letter CD wrote to WHF.]

CD’s gratefulness to William Buckland for his guidance on the glaciated terrain of N. Wales. "I am also convinced that the valleys of Glen Roy … have been occupied by arms of the Sea, & very likely, (for on that point I cannot of course doubt Agassiz & Buckland) by glaciers also."

Has made an offer for house at Down, renting having been refused. Discusses price, risks involved, and Edward Cresy’s advice.

Discusses elevations along Holyhead Road [Anglesey].

Location of village of Bethesda [NW Wales].

The Smith, Elder & Co. account for the first number of part five of the Zoology, now published, is presented.

Congratulates HES on producing an authoritative document [BAAS committee report on zoological nomenclature].

Has been to N. Wales looking at glacier traces described by W. Buckland, which are most interesting and clear. Has written an article on what he saw ["Ancient glaciers of Caernarvonshire" (1842), Collected papers 1: 163–71].

Gives the height of Shrewsbury above sea-level.

Discusses toad [mentioned in Journal of researches, p. 115].

Describes house at Down.

Thanks GRW for collection [of insects] he has made up for CD’s nephew.

Leaves decision to GRW as to which institutions should receive CD’s Beagle insects.

CD gives JSH Fuegian paints and spears and a Pacific dolphin hook for his museum.

Reports on Josiah Wedgwood [II], who is seriously ill.

Gives an account of his father’s illness.

Papers by T. J. Newbold [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 3 (1842): 702–5], T. C. Hunt [3 (1842): 565–6] and J. Phillips [3 (1842): 705–6] need not be printed in Transactions of the Geological Society.

Discusses growth of various species of coral. Explains significance of dead reefs.

Describes meeting of the Council of the Geological Society; the controversy involving Edward Charlesworth.

Mentions conversations with William Lonsdale about Lonsdale’s work on corals and the financial support for his work.

Murchison’s views on glaciation in Wales.

Agassiz’s observations at Glen Roy.

Discusses JJ’s proposed review of his volume [Coral reefs].

Mentions preparing geological notes for press. Asks whether WHM still has some geological specimens he had examined for CD.

Urges WHM to attend important meeting of Geological Society on 3 December.

Believes "absurd letter" hastily read at last Geological Society Council meeting was from Charlesworth’s solicitor. Suggests that it may have been sent to entrap the Council and that it should be read over carefully.

CD likes Down House, describes countryside.

Tells of Edward Charlesworth fracas at Geological Society.

Is at work on Volcanic islands.

Responds to CM’s review of Coral reefs [Edinburgh New Philos. J. 34 (1843): 33–47].