Is it fair to take advantage of knowing that Wallace is in the field? Seems hard on CD to lose priority of many years, but does not feel this alters justice of case.

Baby [Charles Waring Darwin] has much fever. Frightened because three children in village have died from scarlet fever.

Profoundly sorry for Lane.

Thanks WDF for facts about call ducks, pigs, and Leicester sheep.

Has been observing and experimenting on the construction of bees’ cells. Thinks he has a theory which simplifies the problem.

Scarlet fever in family; nurse ill.

Death of Charles Waring Darwin [1856–8] from scarlet fever.

JDH’s and Lyell’s kindness [presumably about A. R. Wallace’s letter]. CD can provide a copy of his letter to Asa Gray [about CD’s species theory].

JDH wants papers at once. CD sends Wallace’s paper and CD’s abstract of his letter to Asa Gray. Sends [species] sketch of 1844 with JDH’s notes to assure JDH he had read it.

Communicate papers by CD and A. R. Wallace on "The Laws which affect the Production of Varieties, Races, and Species". Explain that CD and Wallace have, independently and unknown to each other, arrived at the same theory to account for the appearance and perpetuation of specific forms, and that neither has yet published, although CD first sketched his theory in 1839. Give their reasons for arranging the joint presentation.

Discusses instinct in ducks and turkeys.

Reports a case of the inheritance of an acquired characteristic in a pig.

No summary available.

Is grateful to JH for sending him a copy of the Essay on Meteorology. Takes an interest in the subject himself and gives his views on cyclones and rotary storms.

Will JH add his signature to the slip to add to the memorial to prevent the Natural History collections being removed from the British Museum.

Will leave London for several weeks when ES's wife is well. Alexander von Humboldt is pleased with English translation of Cosmos. Preparations for magnetic research in Australia, Bavaria, [British] Guiana, and Mauritius. [JH annotation: Routing list to G. B. Airy, George Peacock, and William Whewell.]

Prospects for making magnetic and meteorological observations at Peking, which is more desirable than Shanghai or Hong Kong. Hopes for popular review of subject in Quarterly [Review].

Intends to set up a meeting with appropriate members of the B.A.A.S., in order to prepare presentation about magnetic observatories for the B.A.A.S. meetings in Leeds.

Encloses copy of Treasury Board's ruling that disbands the 'Compassionate Fund for the Mint Workmen,' established in 1851 by JH. Return all funds to Exchequer, and discontinue regular payments to widows and children.

Summarizes for JH the more extensive report appended, which recommends to the R.S.L. and the B.A.A.S. the establishment of magnetic observatories in several Colonial locations.

If magnetic observation stations are to be set up and staffed, then personnel should be considered soon.

Supports JH's intentions [see JH's 1858-6-26] and Edward Sabine's proposals about magnetic observations, but displays little faith in the effectiveness of the B.A.A.S.

Thanks TR for his paper on magnetism and his article on speculae. Discusses [J. P.] Gassiot's work on galvanic stratification. JH's health is better.

Sends G. B. Airy's remarks concerning ES's last communication. Discusses future of observatories. Asks ES to indicate which observatories he feels are most important.

Sends vol. 4 of [Alexander von] Humboldt's Cosmos. Would like to share information gathered in India.

Regarding a possible successor to U. J. J. Leverrier at the Paris Observatory.