Gives CD page references [in The new statistical account of Scotland, vol. 14, pp 446, 507] for information regarding parallel roads.

Obliged for account of change in quality of wool. "Some authors will not admit that climate has any perceptible action."

Hopes his health is re-established.

He can distinguish varieties of guinea-fowl as soon as birds are hatched.

Behaviour of Malay hens.

Returns notes on mule yaks [see Natural selection, p. 438]

and sends queries on silkworms.

A bed is ready any time HF will come.

Regularly attends Owen’s lectures. Owen at pains to show groups are not linked. Thus makes Lepidosiren appear fish-like.

GRW thinks embryology will become chief guide to insect classification. But contradictions between classification based on embryological and adult characters do occur.

Arranges a time for visiting HF.

Describes results of experiments on cobwebs, "neither spider or anything else had caused a line to disappear". Apologises for having to draw this conclusion as she had cheered him so in his work on species.

Sends specimens from Indian Ocean atolls.

Poor health has made him give up all geological work.

Profits on their volumes [of Narrative] seem absurdly small.

Looks back on Beagle voyage as the most fortunate circumstance in his life.

Finds marriage a great happiness.

Thanks CD for a copy of his Journal of researches which is "not second in interest and instruction to any work of the kind I have ever read".

CD has read WK’s abstract in the Scotsman, 15 February 1840, p. 3, and asks for further details.

Gives CD the results of some calculations for "dip" over different distances, as requested.

Describes an orange tree with curious "horned" fruit; sends specimen. Asks if the horns represent "metamorphoses of some organ into the fruit orange".

Reference to W. Smellie’s Natural history [1791] requested by CD.

Would like further experimentation to confirm report about germination of wheat from Egyptian tombs. Sir G. Wilkinson may have been deceived by the Arabs.

Reports on abortive anthers in flowers of thyme sent by CD.

Hybrid geese.

Reports observations on the behaviour of captive harvest mouse and dormouse. When descending sticks mouse uses its tail like a prehensile-tailed monkey.

Regrets not seeing CD before leaving on trip [to the U. S.]. CD’s move from London will be a privation for CL.

Returns charts on coral reefs.

Returns snuff box.

Sends a microscope for repair.

Makes appointment to discuss some corals that he is sending.