Recommends publication of Leonard Horner’s account of researches in alluvial deposits of Egypt [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 145 (1855): 105–38]. It contains valuable observations which will probably become of still higher value in future.

Recommends publication of W. B. Carpenter’s paper on Orbitolites [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 146 (1856): 181–236]. Discusses style and the cost of the plates.

Comments on water rising in their wells.

CD and Hooker suggest Sir John Richardson for Royal Medal. Other suggestions are George Bentham, Joseph Prestwich, Albany Hancock.

Asks JWL to use his influence to forward the appointment of T. H. Huxley to the Examinership in Physiology and Comparative Anatomy at University of London. Gives details of THH’s qualifications.

Regrets he cannot accept dinner invitation.

Recommends W. B. Carpenter’s paper on Foraminifera, pt 2, be published in Philosophical Transactions [R. Soc. Lond. 146 (1856): 547–69].

Obliged for JWL’s note [missing]. Will forward it to Mr Wedgwood.

Remarks, "it was … blunder of A. Woods about your wanting the Furniture."

Feels unqualified to offer advice on research by the expedition; he has never attended to natural history of the region. Suggests collecting Carboniferous plants and studying the geographical extension of sea-borne erratic boulders.

C. P. Smyth’s observations on geology and natural history of Tenerife are not precise enough to warrant publication in Philosophical Transactions. Suggests CPS draw up an abstract, for the Proceedings, of specific points actually observed, rather than conclusions arrived at on insufficient grounds.

Would rather not serve on Royal Society committee [for a North American exploring expedition]. Suggests subjects for geological investigation.

Recommends Leonard Horner’s "Account of some recent researches near Cairo" for publication in Philosophical Transactions [R. Soc. Lond. 148 (1858): 53–9]. Believes all the details and sections should be published in full because of importance of investigations leading to the conclusion that man has existed in Egypt for over 13000 years.

Recommends W. B. Carpenter’s latest part of memoir on Foraminifera be published in Philosophical Transactions [R. Soc. Lond. 149 (1859): 1–41].

CD suggests George Bentham or Joseph Prestwich for Royal Medal.

Thanks JFWH for his "Physical geography" [from the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1861)]

and for what he says about Origin, though JFWH goes but a little way with CD. Gives reasons why he cannot accept "Design" in nature, though he is in a "complete jumble" on the point. Is confident of his views because they have aided good workers in several fields to "group and understand many scattered facts".

Requests information for W. S. Macleay on JFWH’s method of catching pelagic animals while ship is under way.

Thanks ES for his "splendid eulogium" [in Presidential Address to Royal Society on award of Copley Medal]. CD would have liked him to have said "a little more" about Origin.

CD feels no doubt about natural selection. Has heard from Germany of "a string of excellent men" who accept it.

Referee’s report on paper by Daniel Sharpe ["On foliation and cleavage", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 142 (1852): 445–62].

Thanks JWL for having acceded to CD’s wish to acquire a piece of land to provide a sheltered walk at Down.

No summary available.