CD asks the time of shipment and vessel in which the [Megatherium] bones were conveyed.

Patagonia swarms with guanaco, but few other creatures.

Hopes to be able to draw up a tolerable sketch of the geology of the east side of S. America.

Saw Jemmy Button, who is married and will stay in Tierra del Fuego. Mentions Falkland uprising.

Feels he cannot keep the gift of Gould’s "magnificent work" or take out a subscription now that he is a married man.

Comments on CVR’s book [Third annual report on the noxious, beneficial, and other insects of the State of Missouri (1871)].

Discusses mimetic insects.

Would be delighted to see CVR at Down, but is in precarious health and cannot talk to anyone for more than an hour.

Wrote to CVR a few weeks ago to thank him for his book [see 7794].

Will expect CVR on Thursday unless he hears otherwise.

Sends details of Alexander Dickson’s paper ‘On some abnormal cones of Pinus Pinaster’ (Dickson 1871).

Declines an invitation to write for an unidentified periodical. "I am unable to write short articles in an interesting manner, & they would consume much of my time."