His friend Trenham Reeks [Secretary of Museum of Practical Geology] would give Carlyle information and help. This note will serve as introduction.

Forwards an enclosure for CD, at Archdeacon John Sinclair’s request [extract from J. Sinclair’s Life and works of Sir John Sinclair (1837) 2: 83–5], showing how Dr Erasmus Darwin anticipated Justus von Liebig [in recognising the importance of phosphorus-rich manures].

Has heard nothing about the Copley Medal. Is grateful for Hugh Falconer’s interest [see 4546].

Supplies details about circumstances of his voyage on the Beagle.

Does not believe that his sea-sickness was the cause of his subsequent ill-health.

Encloses the requested list of publications [see 4550].

Encloses letter [missing] which he believes will clear up the part he played in Edward Sabine’s Presidential Address. Does not wish CD to think that he did not support the Origin.

HF merely wanted to correct a false impression given by a sentence taken out of context.

At the request of his sister, Marion Bell, he sends a copy of his essay on the nervous system. It contains a view of the development of the animal kingdom in illustration of Charles Bell’s classification of the nerves. Human powers are held to be more dependent upon the structure of the mouth than that of the hand.

References to works on probability;

statistics on proportion of sexes in births in England and Wales.