Thanks Jackson for putting him on list for Council of Geographical Society, but he is unable to serve.

Has not yet heard from R. Brown, but John Lindley thinks species will probably turn out to be common ones.

Describes alterations being made at Down House. Accepts father’s offer to lend him money.

Capt. FitzRoy has read GAM’s letter to CD regarding an appointment for GAM’s son and is disposed to help, but has resolved to make no appointments until he arrives in New Zealand [as Governor].

Sends notes on volcanic islands for LH to read and return.

[Letter could be an inaccurate contemporary copy to which the copyist interpolated details, or a forgery. The address "Down House Orpington Kent" occurs nowhere else.]

Requests information as to means of sending two pamphlets to a professor in the United States.

Offers to pay for use of plate of map of S. America and for three woodcuts, for German edition of Journal of researches [1844].

CD gratified that ED wants to translate his Journal. Will send a copy of Coral reefs, which contains a fuller treatment of topic. Perhaps ED would insert a note to this effect. Can lend woodcuts from Coral reefs if ED wants. CD will send a few corrections; he wants to amend way he criticised Agassiz’s glacier theory.

He is also enclosing a questionnaire concerning differences between races or varieties and species, about which he intends to publish sometime.

Testimonial letter for GRW for position at British Museum.

Discusses fossil bones found in Australia by Mr Isaac. Suggests they be sent to Richard Owen.

Says Colburn will allow German publisher to use copperplate and woodcuts [for Journal of researches]. Has been delayed in corrections owing to death of a relative [Josiah Wedgwood II].

Classification consists of grouping beings according to descent from common stocks. Analogies are resemblances between forms not inherited from common stocks. Neither number of species nor grade of organisation should be considered in classification. Admits that caution is necessary in admitting a few species to form a group of rank equal to one containing many species.

Has no objection to uniting Monotremata and other marsupials but would object to doing so solely on ground that Monotremata consists of only two species. Members of a natural group need not share common character so long as they are linked with those which do. Believes that if every organism that ever lived were collected, a perfect series would be presented. What are reasons that unite Aptera and Diptera?

Sends some examples of Gentiana that he thinks may shed light on the origin of double flowers. Since specimens grew in sterile soil their double flowering cannot be attributed to excess food. CD advances the hypothesis that some change in natural conditions causes sterility, which then causes compensatory development of petals, the organs closest in morphology to those whose functions have been checked.

Declines invitation to ride because he is "so very subject to headache".

CD sends off his notes [corrections and additions to his Journal of researches] which he hopes ED will introduce [in German translation].

Tells how W. Kemp found the seeds of Atriplex, which Lindley sent to JSH for identification.

Asks about monstrous plant mentioned by Lindley [see 690].

Comments on his visit to N. Wales and the evidence of glaciation, of which he feels certain.

His marine theory [of the parallel roads of Glen Roy] has revived after Louis Agassiz’s "ice work" knocked it on the head.

Seeds sent by Kemp have germinated and been identified by Lindley as Rumex acetosella and an Atriplex which has been sent on to J. S. Henslow.

Thanks him for specimens collected.

Comments on JED’s voyage [on H.M.S. Terror, 1839–43].

Mentions activities of old Beagle crew.