JDH writes to his Aunt, Elizabeth Palgrave, whom he last addressed from the Bay of Islands, [New Zealand]. The expedition was unable to stop at Chatham Islands & has been waiting for a chance to communicate with home whilst anchored at Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands. He describes the expedition's most recent cruise in the Antarctica region, they spent all 2 months in the pack ice making no land stops, but did manage to get beyond the 68 degree southern latitude despite bad weather. Discusses the history of colonisation in the Falkland Islands which have recently been claimed by the English from the South American Republic. Briefly describes the landscape, geology & botany of the Falkland Islands. The vegetation is mainly a Carex grass or sedge used for fodder, JDH speculates about what crops could be grown. The population is 60 people, sappers, miners & gauchos who herd cattle. The Governor is Lieutenant Moody, & JDH has been advising him on useful plants that could be grown to improve the colony, e.g. Triticum for thatching & Poa & Agrostides for sheep lawns. Animals include geese, rabbits, snipe & wild ducks all hunted for meat, JDH lists the kill from a successful hunting party he joined. The expedition will go ashore here not at Rio de Janiero for ship repairs. JDH spends his time collecting plants & skinning birds. He has a white Petrel for his cousins shot at 78 degrees southern latitude, he mentions how the petrel is caught & skinned. The expedition is anxious to know how their success has been received at home. JDH mentions three naval promotions, those of Francis Crozier, Edward Joseph Bird & Alexander Smith. Dayman left the ship for the Hobart Town Observatory under Sir John Franklin. JDH wonders about his father, William Jackson Hooker, now that the Ministry has changed, all he knows is that WJH is still on the Council of the Royal Society. Asks if the Thames floods reached the Hooker's new home at Brick Farm, which JDH heard about from Dr Sinclair.