Comments on birth [of Catherine Elizabeth Sophia Wedgwood].

Plans to visit Shrewsbury.

Describes behaviour of William Darwin.

Discusses speculation losses of acquaintances, including T. Carlyle’s. Mentions his own loss on Journal of researches.

Tells WAL where specimen of Cynoglossum sylvaticum may be seen growing.

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].

Gives the height of Shrewsbury above sea-level.

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

[Written on CD’s annotated copy of a pamphlet reprint of CM’s review of Coral reefs.] CD asks CM to return the pamphlet to him.

Discusses the death of his son. Thanks CD for his letter of condolence and invites him to visit.

Congratulates FitzRoy on his appointment as Governor of New Zealand. Wants to see him and his wife before their departure. Proposes to call on them in London next Thursday.

CD will sent seeds to specialists for identification.

Will be happy to report on seeds sent by CD. Suggests names.

Replies to queries by CD. Describes Clipperton Rock [SW. of Mexico] and Cocos Island. Mentions possible species of Cactornis. Discusses depth of water at Bow Island [Hao, Tuamotu Archipelago], and occurrence of coral formations at various islands.

Has not yet heard from R. Brown, but John Lindley thinks species will probably turn out to be common ones.

Describes alterations being made at Down House. Accepts father’s offer to lend him money.

Thanks father for loan. Explains difficulty of acquiring the land through which the approach to Down House now runs.

Writes about canal shares EAD holds as trustee.

CD will be gratified to learn that RBH has recognised a species of Cactornis as a native of Bow Island [Hao, Tuamotu Archipelago].

Classification consists of grouping beings according to descent from common stocks. Analogies are resemblances between forms not inherited from common stocks. Neither number of species nor grade of organisation should be considered in classification. Admits that caution is necessary in admitting a few species to form a group of rank equal to one containing many species.

Has no objection to uniting Monotremata and other marsupials but would object to doing so solely on ground that Monotremata consists of only two species. Members of a natural group need not share common character so long as they are linked with those which do. Believes that if every organism that ever lived were collected, a perfect series would be presented. What are reasons that unite Aptera and Diptera?