Obliged for account of change in quality of wool. "Some authors will not admit that climate has any perceptible action."
Hopes his health is re-established.
Agrees that naval expeditions to the Arctic are a waste of money. Believes Sir J. Barrow responsible. "Dr [Richard?] King is quite right in the advantage of Land Expeditions".
May go to Paris next summer about barnacles.
Unable to appreciate second volume of Alexander von Humboldt’s Cosmos [1848].
Recommends review by Sir John Herschel [Edinburgh Rev. 87 (1848): 170–229].
Recommends book by Mary Somerville [Physical geography (1848)].
Mentions article [on species] by M. E. Chevreul [Ann. Sci. Nat. (Bot.) 3d ser. 6 (1846): 142–214].
Sends his manuscript. P.O. has been unable to trace the missing parcel. Comments on J. B. Elie de Beaumont's method of measuring lava streams; emphasizes the importance of repeated observations. Would like copies of the manual when completed.
Sends MS of "Geology" for Manual [Collected papers 1: 227–50]. First parcel lost. Asks JFWH to give advice on an unclear note, translated from Élie de Beaumont, on measuring incline of lava-flows.
Encloses his £3 subscription to JBI’s Sunday School. Asks to reduce it in the future to £2 per annum.
Has been unwell.
Confident of species theory as result of applying it to cirripede sexual systems.
CD’s opinion of E. Blyth. JDH should meet Blyth, inquire about domesticated varieties, study insular flora, solve coal-plant problem.
As JH is interested in colors he sends him details of the color changes that the genus Ibla undergoes. Will send him a specimen if desired.
Describes colour changes from blue to red in valves of operculum of the cirripede genus Ibla.
Reports on his father’s health, and Catherine’s. CD, himself, has been a little sick.
Hensleigh [Wedgwood] thinks he has settled the free-will question – "we have none whatsoever".
His health not good.
Has been reading John Evelyn’s Life of Mrs Godolphin, and Mme Sévigné.
Family news. Finds Shrewsbury too noisy.
Anxiety about R. W. Darwin’s health.
Has been unwell but is improving. His father also very ill.
