On reading Descent was reminded of having seen, on a visit to an idiot asylum with her father [J. S. Henslow], a woman with long pointed ears.

Explains difficulties in supplying wings of geese. Describes injury of old gander that sired the abnormal geese.

Asks whether he may come with F. C. Donders to visit CD.

F. C. Donders coming to congress. Wants to arrange visit.

Arranges to bring F. C. Donders to visit Down.

Thanks CD for Expression, comments on it.

Describes celebration of F. C. Donders’ 25th year as professor at Utrecht.

Discusses hereditary character of hypermetropia. Notes views of F. C. Donders on the subject.

Asks JMH to collect some insects at Barmouth.

Reports on his shooting luck.

CD obliged for JMH’s labours in "the science". He reports having spent a pleasant month. Entomological pursuits succeeded.

Looks forward to receiving beetles and butterflies from JMH when he passes through Shrewsbury.

Mentions letters from Peacock and Henslow; tells of offer of a position on surveying voyage, his initial refusal, and eventual acceptance. Describes FitzRoy and course of voyage.

Summarises experiences since leaving England. "How intimately what may be called the ""moral part"" is connected with the enjoyment of scenery." The loneliness of the voyage.

Describes Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn; was reminded of hours at Barmouth; chafes at the length of the trip.

Hopes the Whigs will do away with slavery – has seen enough of it and Negroes to be disgusted with the lies heard in England.

Arranges to meet CW for conversation.

"Mr Darwin presents his compliments to the Master & Fellows of Caius Coll. and is extremely sorry he is prevented by a previous engagement the honor of dining with them on Thursday."

[Excised fragment only.] "I am greedy for facts.—"

Describes the two species of lizard [Amblyrhynchus] found in the Galapagos Archipelago.

Asks WS to write to his friend to make his corrections [in CD’s MS of Journal of researches] in ink.

Capt. FitzRoy agrees with the propriety of beginning to print [CD’s volume separately] at once.

Thanks WS for a document [see 379]. Promises to send MS and woodcuts before night. Discusses details of printing and correction. Thanks WS and Henry Colburn for assistance.

Sends remaining proofs of RO’s description of Toxodon [Fossil Mammalia] and a revise of first part. Will Owen want a second revise? CD has made "plenty of remarks".

Responds to Lyell’s query [missing] about northern and southern limits of coral islands of the Pacific. Warns that coral islands are much more thinly distributed than people realise and cites examples. Comments on views of Matthew Flinders. Reading work of É[lie] de B[eaumont]. Notes difficulty of setting an east-west boundary to coral islands.