Declines Ray Club dinner; too busy with Zoology.

Thanks JSH for presenting his work to Cambridge Philosophical Society.

Asks him to get an answer from W. H. Miller on specimen of crystallised mineral.

Sends specimens from Indian Ocean atolls.

Describes an orange tree with curious "horned" fruit; sends specimen. Asks if the horns represent "metamorphoses of some organ into the fruit orange".

CD gives JSH Fuegian paints and spears and a Pacific dolphin hook for his museum.

Tells how W. Kemp found the seeds of Atriplex, which Lindley sent to JSH for identification.

Asks about monstrous plant mentioned by Lindley [see 690].

CD has written to W. Kemp to ascertain what precautions he took in sowing his seeds. "It will be rather flat if you … pronounce the Atriplex to be merely a variety". Suggests sending plants to C. C. Babington.

Babington has reared a facsimile [of W. Kemp’s Atriplex] by sowing seeds of A. angustifolia. CD has advised Kemp not to publish since anyone would say it was more probable that the seeds of his specimens were in the soil, than that the ones he found had retained vitality. CD regrets this, as he has no doubt of the antiquity of the seeds.

CD has bought a farm in Lincolnshire. Criticises primogeniture and stamp laws on land purchase.

Announces birth of G. H. Darwin.

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.

Thanks JSH for his address [Address delivered in the Ipswich Museum on 9th March 1848]. Questions a sentence which implies that only the practical use of a scientific discovery makes it worth while. The instinct for truth justifies science without any practical results. Cites his work on cirripedes.

Criticises lecturing system in education and emphasis on classics. Has forgotten all his classical knowledge.

Asks JSH’s help in naming cirripedes, on which he is working. Believes he has made "some very curious points".

Expects a sixth child [Francis] in August.

Ask JR to advise the Queen to issue Her Royal Commission of Inquiry into the best methods of securing the improvement of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

Describes cold water cure he has been taking for two months at J. M. Gully’s establishment.

Plans to go to BAAS meeting at Birmingham if health improves.

Describes the Birmingham meeting [1849] of BAAS.

His health is poor. Continues with water-cure with considerable benefit.

Thanks JSH for information and suggestions on benefit clubs,

and for a shipment of fossil cirripedes.

J. B. Innes is greatly obliged for JSH’s letter. JSH’s observation of chalk flints strikes CD as "very curious".

Announces birth of his fourth son, Leonard.

Sends cirripede specimens for Ipswich Museum.

Asks how much a village fireworks display would cost.

Comments on the need in education for good habits of expression and accurate observation instead of making "wretched Latin verses".

CD has been reassured about his "speculation" in Mr Warren’s company. Thanks JSH for his advice and trouble.

Would like to meet JSH in London.