Thanks BJS for account of Mendoza earthquake.

FitzRoy sent CD the last London Review [& Weekly J. Polit.] and he read the article on Genesis, but feels it is an attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable.

J. C. Wickham and Arthur Mellersh are in town and BJS wonders whether there is any chance CD might join them.

Hopes to visit CD with Mellersh and Wickham the week after next.

If Wickham remains in town and CD is well enough, BJS thinks they might come about the 22d.

Arranges to come to Down on the 21st if CD is well enough.

Confirms arrangements for his trip to Down.

Thinks he may be appointed Commodore commanding the Squadron on the west coast of S. America. Wishes to leave England for his health’s sake.

Sends some tickets so that CD’s son might see [an unspecified] model.

Has six months’ leave from the Admiralty because of his health; intends going to Europe for four months.

BJS’s health much improved by his continental tour.

Reports on the funeral of Robert FitzRoy.

His own health has deteriorated and he must give up his work.

Would rejoice to see BJS at Down, but explains that he can only spend short spells of time in his company if he comes.

Would like to call on CD for an hour or so before leaving London to settle in Bournemouth.

Reports on his health.

Discusses a surveying expedition under Richard Charles Mayne on which his son will be Second Lieutenant; hopes to arrange for them to excavate some bones in the Falklands.

Discusses the South American mission.

Has been busy digging out fossil leaves from local Eocene deposits.

Thanks BJS for his account of S. America and the Fuegians.

Can BJS ask W. H. Stirling to make observations on expression?

Has asked Hooker about the fossil leaves, and he suggests they be sent to Oswald Heer.

Has just sent MS on domestic animals [Variation] to the printer.

Has given CD’s queries about expression to W. H. Stirling. Thomas Bridges, the catechist, had previously answered some questions incompletely [see 2643]; BJS forwards them [see Expression].

BJS answers CD’s query about when some calves show their adult colour.

Thanks BJS for W. H. Stirling’s answers [to queries about expression]

and for information on cattle and breeding of dogs.

Discusses a rare shell found by BJS on the Beagle voyage, an account of which has just been written by Davidson [possibly in Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3d ser. 20 (1867): 81–3].

Congratulations on George Darwin’s performance at Cambridge.