Heath is generally cut every six years, often in order to provide young growth for grazing. Also, the heath is in good condition for burning at six years growth.

Returns CD’s lists [sent with 2184]. Confusion in genera of Silene is great in continental botanic gardens. One would have to know whether C. F. v. Gärtner had the right names for species in his experiments.

Gives observations to be forwarded to CD of impregnation in Balanus.

Discusses the difficulties of breeding mules by crossing canaries and finches.

Discusses the relative growth of native and foreign weeds.

Sends information on the speed at which his pigeons fly various distances.

Responds to CD’s article on kidney beans [Collected papers 1: 275–7]. Sends beans as evidence of crossing.

More on kidney bean crosses.

Reports on wheat in the stomach of fish he caught.

In reply to CD’s query [see 2072], JDD describes what little is known about the crustacea of the Antarctic and southern lands.

Knows of no species of the cold temperate south identical with those of the cold temperate north.

Will be grateful for facts from Mr Linton on numbers of eggs from goldfinch–canary crosses.

Thanks AG for 2d part of "Statistics [of the flora of the northern U. S.", Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 22 (1856): 204–32; 2d ser. 23 (1857): 62–84, 369–403].

Is glad AG concludes species of large genera are wide-ranging, but is "riled" that he thinks the line of connection of alpine plants is through Greenland. Mentions comparisons of ranges worth investigating.

Believes trees show a tendency toward separation of the sexes and wonders if U. S. species bear this out. Asks which genera are protean in U. S.

Congratulations [on Mrs H’s delivery].

Balanus balanoides positively identified by CD.

Thanks for information, which is just the amount he wanted.

Will not go to the BAAS meeting in Dublin: the frightful voyage deters him.

Thanks for a kind note, and asks not to answer until better.

CD will advise W. F. Daniell on collecting.

Asks THH question on flow of glaciers after ice has been fractured and fragmented.

CD had to leave Royal Society lecture [joint paper by THH and J. Tyndall, "On the structure and motions of glaciers", Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 147 (1857): 327–46] before the end because of headache.

CD will advise Daniell not to apply for Royal Society grant.

CD’s experiment: fish fed seeds, which germinated when voided.

CD finds Alphonse de Candolle very useful, though JDH has low opinion.

CD argues for accidental introductions explaining some odd distributions, e.g., New Zealand vs Australian plants.

CD’s method.

Diverging affinities in isolated genera.

Feels unqualified to offer advice on research by the expedition; he has never attended to natural history of the region. Suggests collecting Carboniferous plants and studying the geographical extension of sea-borne erratic boulders.