Thanks for information about books.

Murray is publishing CD’s Journal of researches. Would be grateful for a sentence on Galapagos plants.

Apologises that the house is full this weekend, but next weekend would be good.

Returns specimens and drawings of Confervae with many thanks. Would appreciate any corrections for second edition of Journal of researches.

Returns notes on Confervae.

Has had information from Ehrenberg on organic forms in Atlantic dust.

Thanks for sketch of Galapagos flora.

JDH’s books have arrived safely.

Is sending him corrected MS of first part of Journal of researches [2d ed.].

Lyells have just visited.

Busy correcting proofs. Thanks for JDH’s remarks; asks him to send any other corrections soon; goes to press with second part of Journal of researches in less than a week.

Urges collections of all kinds on any isolated islands.

A son [George Howard Darwin] was born on Wednesday.

Sends queries on Galapagos flora.

Discusses JDH’s comments on [Journal of researches].

CD feels that with his views on descent "really Nat. Hist. becomes a sublimely grand result-giving subject".

"How differently people view the same subject, for I look at insular Floras … as leading to an opposite view to yours."

Thanks for facts on solitary islands having several species of peculiar genera; "it knocks on the head some analogies of mine".

Has long been trying to discover in how many flowers crossing is probable, but finds it difficult to show "even a vague probability of this".

Will JDH proof-read Galapagos chapter of Journal of researches?

Gives information on his Galapagos collection; explains why it differs from others.

Sorry to hear about condition of JDH’s grandfather.

Sends proofs of Galapagos chapter of Journal of researches.

Grieves to hear labels are displaced on his plants.

May he annotate [F. Gérard’s] L’espèce [(1844), extracted from Dictionnaire universel d’histoire naturelle, ed. C. D. d’Orbigny (1839–49)]?

Anxious to hear of JDH’s prospects [at Edinburgh].

Has completed his Journal of researches.

Condolences on JDH’s grandfather’s death.

When his wife can move, they will go to Staffordshire.

Returns some books; would like to see copy of Kosmos [by Alexander von Humboldt]. Would be proud owner of JDH’s work [Flora Antarctica (1844–7)].

Going to Shrewsbury on Monday.

Means to attempt the question of species: "though I shall get more kicks than half-pennies, I will, life serving, attempt my work".

Kosmos [by Alexander von Humboldt] has arrived safely.

CD acknowledges his presumption in speculating on variation without having worked out his due share of species, but "for nine years it has been anyhow the greatest amusement to me".

Sorry to hear JDH did not get Edinburgh chair. Invites him to Down.

Would like to see JDH’s testimonials.

Disappointed with Kosmos.

Has visited Dean of Manchester, who is very heterodox on species.

Thanks for Antarctic flora [Flora Antarctica (1844–7)].

Agrees geographical distribution will be "the key which will unlock the mystery of species".

Could JDH look over a rough sketch on species?

No summary available.

Comments on JDH’s Flora Antarctica. CD is delighted with it.

"I can never cease marvelling at the similarity of the Antarctic floras: it is wonderful."

Questions JDH on points raised by the work: absence of alpine flora on southern islands; comparison of climate and floras of Tasmania and New Zealand.

Is busy with shell work and cannot make it to Kew. Invites JDH to Down. Intends asking Edward Forbes and Hugh Falconer.

Can JDH come to Down on 6 December? If this is convenient, CD will ask Forbes, Falconer, and perhaps Waterhouse.