Thanks WBC for his account of glacial action in Australia. A mundane cooler period would throw a flood of light on geographical distribution. Has sketched a large MS on subject but does not know whether he will live to publish it.

Questions WBC on striated granite boulders.

Asks him to make a botanical experiment on insect fertilisation.

J. C. Wickham, B. J. Sulivan, and Arthur Mellersh visited a fortnight ago.

Oldest son [William] now a banker.

Sends photograph.

Health too bad to see anyone at present. Rarely sees FitzRoy.

CD not a good enough botanist to form a judgment of specimen. Does not understand whether CAJ supposes the variety to be a result of hybridism or of the present very hot summer, which CD cannot doubt will have an effect on some British plants in their struggle for life.

Thanks PGK for his aid in reporting the curious case of the parrot.

Will consult John Gould about rosella [Australian parakeet].

Recalls with pleasure their friendship on board the Beagle.