Sends the first part of Journal of researches [2d ed.]. Explains his dedication of book to CL. Describes revisions.
Has received CL’s book [Travels in North America, 2 vols. (1845)].
Comments extensively on CL’s book [Travels in North America (1845)]. Lyell’s views on slavery, the clergy, education, and coalfields. Has difficulty in tracing Lyell’s course. Comments on geological portions, especially CL’s comparisons of living and fossil organisms to those of South America and Tasmania; animal formation of carbonic acid and effects of vegetable decay; Indians’ use of lumber. Discusses water-borne transportation of wood, fruit, and seeds. Notes distribution of Arctic flora.
CD’s criticism of his book [Travels in North America (1845)].
Compares invertebrate animals of Tasmania and England.
Mentions views of C. J. F. Bunbury on climate of the Carboniferous period.
Robert Brown says Australian flora has the widest range.
Discusses the power of land covered with snow to radiate heat.
Criticises CL’s discussion of slavery [in Travels in North America (1845)]. A review of CL’s book is in Gardeners’ Chronicle.
Mentions John Lindley’s views on carbonic acid gas and extinction;
refers to the discussion of multiple and single creations in Humboldt’s Kosmos.
The origin of volcanic craters of elevation.
There is a popular demand for a new edition of Principles.
Praises palaeobotanical work of C. J. F. Bunbury.
Discusses American Negroes and their parasitic lice. Henry Denny’s need for lice specimens.
Discusses effects of racial crosses in man.
Describes his trip to Yorkshire.
Comments on Sedgwick’s review [of Vestiges of creation].
Mentions Humboldt’s Kosmos. Criticises Humboldt’s geology.
When he received JH's request to give a lecture on American geology he did not treat it seriously. Now R. I. Murchison has made a similar request so thinks he could work up a popular lecture on the Mississippi Delta. Will keep off his old ground.
Comments on forthcoming edition [7th (1847)] of CL’s Principles. Mentions other books relevant to CL’s needs by Hooker, H. G. Bronn, Edward Forbes, and J. G. Kölreuter. Discusses his own books on volcanoes and the geology of S. America.
Mentions expected visit to Down by the Lyells.
Discusses A. C. Ramsay’s article ["On the denudation of South Wales", Mem. Geol. Surv. G. B. 1 (1846)]. Mentions his own paper ["Volcanic phenomena in South America", Collected papers 1: 53–86]. Emphasises that sedimentary deposits are not ordinarily preserved.
Replies to note from CL asking about views of glaciers.
Quotes from South America [p. 167] on the foliation of metamorphic rocks.
Asks CL to address a letter to Charles Maclaren.
Discusses recent publication by David Milne on erratic boulders [Edinburgh New Philos. J. 42 (1847): 154–172].
Views of Bernhard Studer on foliation of gneiss in the Alps. Asks CL to tell Leonard Horner of Studer’s views.
Comments on investigation of coral reefs by A. A. Gould, particularly the reefs around Tahiti. Mentions description of reefs of Tahiti by W. Forbes.
Hooker’s view of work by C. J. F. Bunbury.
Has received copy of CL’s Principles [7th ed.].
Comments on reading Annales des sciences naturelles.
David Milne’s and Robert Chambers’ views on Glen Roy.
Mentions sales of South America.
Describes visit to his father at Shrewsbury.
Comments on correspondence between CL and Whewell [concerning university reform].
Criticises S. G. Morton’s "Hybridity in animals" [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 3 (1847): 39–50, 203–12].
Discusses David Milne’s Glen Roy paper ["On the parallel roads of Lochaber", Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh 16 (1849): 395–418]. Rejects Milne’s theory that outlet of Glen Roy is blocked by detritus. Impressed by Milne’s discovery of an outlet at the level of the second shelf. Believes this strengthens theory that lakes were formed by glacier blocking Glen Roy. Offers arguments against glacier theory.
Discusses enclosed figures on elevation of terraces in several Scottish glens as surveyed by William Kemp and David Stevenson. Comments on Robert Chambers’ view of the terraces. Mentions a letter on the terraces, originally written for publication, which he has asked Robert Jameson [editor of the Edinburgh New Philos. J.] to destroy.
No summary available.
Asks when JH can receive CL and Edward Sabine at Collingwood, that they may explain to JH why R.S.L. Council desires JH to serve as president.
'Confidential' Insists that CL honor JH's decision regarding R.S.L. office and drop subject.
Begs CL and Edward Sabine to cancel their plan to interview JH for office [Presidency] in R.S.L. To continue will cause JH 'inexpressible pain.'