Has objected to loading Narrative with advertisements, but thinks CD’s Zoology and Geology might be advertised. Mentions other details of the final stages of publication.

Has not yet had time to read CD’s Journal of researches attentively. He is sure there is no expression referring to himself personally that he could wish were not in it.

Robert Brown has mistreated Capt. P. P. King by holding back for nine years the plants collected on King’s voyage of the Adventure and Beagle.

Answers to [Questions about breeding].

Urges CD to visit Flores Island near Montevideo if he has not already done so. Describes formation of greenstone and the granite formations on small islands in the Uruguay channel.

Sends specimens from Pôrto Alegre [Brazil] for identification by CD.

Thanks CD for letter of 5 April and specimens; did not know the Falklands and Patagonia were so interesting geologically.

Will answer CD’s queries about S. Brazil in another letter. Names Friedrich Sellow, A. Saint-Hilaire, and Andrew Mathews as naturalists who travelled there. Directs CD to Alexander Caldcleugh in Santiago.

Has been away from parish because of a three-month illness. Refers briefly to events in England since the Beagle sailed.

He is staying on the Isle of Wight because he has been unwell. He is thought to be in danger of contracting consumption, and the climate is beneficial. He is convalescent now, but will spend the winter there.

Offers to forward any natural history stores CD may want.

His health has improved but he continues "a good deal of an invalid" and is uncertain what the future holds for him.

His interest in entomology and ornithology continues; he has been studying the gulls on the Isle of Wight.

WDF sends news of his activities and of his family.

Reports on the effects of inbreeding in dogs and the results of crossing Canada and common geese.

Thanks CD for his present of a dram bottle [actually a silver-cased compass]. JG will be reminded daily of their friendship when he is in the wilds [of Australia].

Sends to CD, as Secretary of the Geological Society, his work on fossil shells ["Mémoire sur les coquilles fossiles", Actes de la Société Linnéenne de Bordeaux 10 (1838): 92–152].

Thanks CD for his Journal of researches, "one of the best scientific travelworks of this time", which CFAH intends to translate into German.

Sends congratulations and expresses her pleasure on hearing of CD’s forthcoming marriage.

JSH has been asked by Peacock to recommend a naturalist as companion to Capt. FitzRoy on Beagle voyage. CD the best qualified person; not a finished naturalist but amply qualified for collecting, observing, and noting.

Gives CD directions for sending him specimens from Beagle.

Writes of Cambridge politics.

Is sending plates for R. T. Lowe’s paper [Trans. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 4 (1833): 1–70].

Adds advice on working the surd.

Agrees with CD that Beagle voyage would have been wrong for Jenyns, but assures him he (CD) is the right man. Warns CD against his "foible" of taking offence at rudeness or ungentlemanlike behaviour.

News of Cambridge: the recent examinations; memorial tablet for Marmaduke Ramsay.

Acknowledges receipt of two letters from CD and a box of specimens.

Mentions attendance at BAAS meeting and a gift to him of a small living near Oxford. Some political news.

Congratulates CD on the work he has done – the specimens are of great interest. Gives advice on packing, labelling, and future collecting and suggests that – as a precaution – CD send home a copy of his notes on the specimens.