CD’s reasons for his reluctance to take the Secretaryship of the Geological Society.
CD’s work [on Zoology] is going smoothly. Marvels at finding himself an author [of Journal of researches]. Part so far printed has a good many errata.
Asks JSH to look over the prospectus [for Zoology]. Has one more chapter of Journal of researches to finish.
Sends rock specimen for W. H. Miller. Asks JSH to see whether there is any geology in P. B. Webb and Sabin Berthelot, Histoire naturelle des Îles Canaries [1835–50]. Finds his work on geology growing so large that it will take more than one volume and asks whether this will make publication aid more difficult.
Has accepted Secretaryship of the Geological Society.
Will not come to Cambridge because "as long as I continue well I cannot bear to leave my work for half a day".
Declines Ray Club dinner; too busy with Zoology.
Thanks JSH for presenting his work to Cambridge Philosophical Society.
Asks him to get an answer from W. H. Miller on specimen of crystallised mineral.
Relates plan for an appendix to his Journal of researches which will include facts of species of birds’ being different in different islands of the Galápagos and also of the lizards and tortoises on the islands. Asks JSH whether he can supply parallels in the plant life.
Urges JSH to describe Galapagos species in a paper on the flora of the islands.
Has been interested in geographical distribution and would be interested to have a paper by JSH on the general character of flora of Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia.
"I keep on steadily collecting every sort of fact which may throw light on the origin & variation of species."
Sends specimens from Indian Ocean atolls.
Describes an orange tree with curious "horned" fruit; sends specimen. Asks if the horns represent "metamorphoses of some organ into the fruit orange".
CD relates that Robert Brown is anxious to have [C. M.] Leman[n] elected librarian of the Linnean Society and urges JSH to come to vote for him. CD joins in the request.
CD gives JSH Fuegian paints and spears and a Pacific dolphin hook for his museum.
Comments on JSH’s botanical work with his parishioners. Lyell will be pleased that he has done some fossil botanical work.
Describes a Geological Society meeting about Edward Charlesworth’s complaints.
Tells how W. Kemp found the seeds of Atriplex, which Lindley sent to JSH for identification.
Asks about monstrous plant mentioned by Lindley [see 690].
Has seen fields of clover near Down affected with clover dodder.
CD has written to W. Kemp to ascertain what precautions he took in sowing his seeds. "It will be rather flat if you … pronounce the Atriplex to be merely a variety". Suggests sending plants to C. C. Babington.
Babington has reared a facsimile [of W. Kemp’s Atriplex] by sowing seeds of A. angustifolia. CD has advised Kemp not to publish since anyone would say it was more probable that the seeds of his specimens were in the soil, than that the ones he found had retained vitality. CD regrets this, as he has no doubt of the antiquity of the seeds.
Sends a specimen of rusty wheat from the banks of the Plata.
Asks for bits of peat he collected
and a bit of the paint used by Fuegians to colour themselves.
He will send these to C. G. Ehrenberg for analysis.
Is at work on second edition of Journal of researches.
Hopes to finish geology of the Beagle by autumn.
Hooker gives "a wonderful account" of Galapagos plants.
CD has bought a farm in Lincolnshire. Criticises primogeniture and stamp laws on land purchase.
Announces birth of G. H. Darwin.
Comments on potato disease and its effects on the poor.
Describes visit to his Lincolnshire farm,
to York where he discussed hybrids with the Dean of Manchester [William Herbert],
his meeting with Charles Waterton, and his delight with Chatsworth.
Disappointed at Hooker’s failure to receive the Edinburgh chair; believes JDH will make a great botanist.