Announces birth of his fourth son, Leonard.

Hooker’s imprisonment.

Birth of Leonard Darwin.

Barnacles will never end; on to fossils.

Is sending JSB sponges.

He returns the Plumularia on which the beautiful Scalpellum ornatum was attached. [See 1229.]

Comments on paper by CHLW.

Considers effect of heat on bending of strata, and producing volcanoes and elevation.

"I can have no doubt that speculative men, with a curb on, make far the best observers."

On Himalayan stratigraphy. Believes JDH’s observations of glacial action are the first ever done east of Urals.

Barnacles and the species theory; impressed with variation.

Effect of CD’s species sketch on JDH’s view of willow systematics.

Discusses share dealings and investment matters.

Reports the state of Anne Darwin’s health.

Reports on Anne’s illness.

Reports on Anne’s condition.

Asks EAD to forward a message of Anne’s improved state to Down.

Detailed account of progress of Anne’s illness.

Reports on Anne’s health throughout the night and from 8 a.m. through to 4.30 p.m.

Further reports on Anne’s illness.

An evening report on Annie Darwin’s somewhat improved condition.

Tells of Anne’s death.

Expresses gratitude to Mrs T’s daughter for devotion to his daughter in final illness.

Comments on MS by C. S. Bate. Bate not aware of other work on Cirripedia; cites Bate’s errors. Would Bate allow CD to use his drawings in Living Cirripedia? [See Living Cirripedia 1: 9–16.]

Congratulates JD on discovery of fossil footsteps near Port Philip, Australia. Richard Owen would be glad to examine them. J. B. Jukes most likely to know geology of Port Philip.

Comments on concretionary bodies found by JD. Encourages him to continue geological study.

Thanks CSB for drawings of [cirripede] larva and for permission to cite unpublished paper ["On the development of the cirripedes", Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 2d ser. 8 (1851): 324–32]. Describes method of preserving specimens. Mentions Balanus common on tidal rocks at Tenby.