Recommends Ernst Dieffenbach for expedition to Guatemala.
Recommends Ernst Dieffenbach for expedition to Guatemala.
Has just heard of RF’s return [from New Zealand]. Hopes to see him.
CD and family are well, but he is a different man in strength and energy from when he was "Flycatcher" in the Beagle.
Has just finished his book [South America].
Describes results of experiments on cobwebs, "neither spider or anything else had caused a line to disappear". Apologises for having to draw this conclusion as she had cheered him so in his work on species.
Hopes to start looking over his species notes in about a year.
Very much enjoyed Southampton [meeting of BAAS, 9–12 Sept].
The potato seeds were collected in 1835 from tubers in a remote area of the Cordilleras of Chile and were certainly wild. Refers him to Journal [of researches, p. 347].
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.
The third and last part of the Geology [South America] will be published in a few days. Apologises for not sending JSH the other volumes.
Has attended Southampton [BAAS] meeting.
Sulivans are coming on Friday. Can JDH come?
Can JDH bring a good book on Corallina or Nullipora of Lamarck?
CD intends writing paper on their propagation.
CD sends a copy [of South America] to Gardeners’ Chronicle and refers to a passage on Patagonian salt; asks for backing and specific information supplementing his suggestion that an added chloride would increase the salt’s preserving power.
Thanks ACR for paper and comments on it ["On the denudation of South Wales", Mem. Geol. Surv. G. B. 1 (1846): 297–335].
Sends copy of South America.
Discusses action of the sea.
Criticises ACR’s views on sudden elevation of mountain chains.
Comments on LJ’s Observations [in natural history (1846)].
Discusses variation among British birds, and the conflicting treatment of bird species by C. W. L. Gloger and C. L. Brehm.
Describes collecting incident of his student days involving Carabus.
Mentions squirrels eating insects.
Astonished to hear of terrestrial Planaria.
Comments on BAAS meeting in Southampton.
Will be in London tomorrow and will try to pop over to Kew.
Knows nothing about missing fossils collected by J. L. Stokes.
Objects to the stupid way a plate is bound into South America.
Many thanks for JDH’s beautiful cirripede drawing. Questions on JDH’s observations.
Has read RF’s pamphlet on New Zealand [Remarks on New Zealand (1846)]. Sympathises with his difficulties as Governor.
Discusses foliation and cleavage. Comments on dip of cleavage laminae in mountains. Mentions views of Sedgwick and Studer. Suggests reading C. L. von Buch [Travels through Norway and Lapland (1813)] "as an amusement". Praises views of William Hopkins. Suggests reading paper by H. D. Rogers ["On cleavage of slate-strata", Edinburgh New Philos. J. 41 (1846): 422–3)]. Comments on the paper.
CD’s note to Stokes [see 940] has been forwarded to George Grey; CD fears he may be offended. Asks how it could have happened.
Supposes Sharpe does not want Von Buch’s tract, so sent Hopkins. Asks it be returned to CD at the Athenaeum Club.