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.
Congratulates RC on his work on Scottish sea-margins [Ancient sea-margins (1848)].
Discusses Glen Roy; Milne staggered him in favour of the glacier view, but now his opinion has reverted.
Encloses samples of the Ibla. Outlines the method of making it change color. Hopes he will not have to re-write his geological chapter for the Admiralty Manual.
Sends two valves of Ibla.
In his chapter [for Manual, Collected papers 1: 227–50], he will strike out any part that JFWH wants struck out, but if much shortening is required it will need rewriting.
Mentions his account; visit to Lincolnshire by his sister [Susan Darwin].
Discusses possible land transactions.
Comments on Ann Susan Horner’s escape in a dangerous incident at sea.
Compares addresses by William Buckland and CL, delivered at recent meeting of the Geological Society.
Discusses the views on Glen Roy in Chambers’ Ancient sea-margins [1848].
Speculates that Chambers wrote Vestiges [of creation (1844)].
Comments on apology by Chambers for using some of CD’s material without acknowledgment in discussing Glen Roy. His opinion of Chambers’ book [Ancient sea-margins (1848)].
Mentions returning borrowed book by Camillo Ranzani.
Discusses loan of cirripede specimens from British Museum. "In truth never will a mountain in labour have brought forth such a mouse as my book on the Cirripedia. It is ridiculous the time each species takes me."
Writes about Emma’s trust account investments and calls due upon them. Sends his record and asks JW to bring it up to date.
Criticises lecturing system in education and emphasis on classics. Has forgotten all his classical knowledge.
Asks JSH’s help in naming cirripedes, on which he is working. Believes he has made "some very curious points".
Expects a sixth child [Francis] in August.
