Opposition to EB within the Asiatic Society.

Possibility of establishment of a zoological garden at Calcutta.

Has seen Gallus varius alive for the first time.

Will procure domestic pigeons for CD; could CD pay for them by returning hardy creatures, such as macaws and marmosets, which EB can sell for a high price in India?

Does not recall his authority for genealogy of the asses of Oman. If a genuine wild ass exists EB believes it will be in south Arabia.

Infertility of Irish and Devon red deer.

Details of an unusual species of wild dog.

Fertility of canine hybrids. General tendency toward hybrid sterility.

Has skins of hybrid Coracias and the parent species.

Wide-ranging species; skua found in Europe and Australia, but not in the tropics.

There is a possibility of establishment of a Government Museum at Calcutta, with which the Asiatic Society Museum would be merged. EB would like the curatorship but fears other possible applicants. Asks CD to represent him to W. H. Sykes.

Discusses the ancients’ awareness of various cats as deduced from the etymology of their names.

Gives references to works on fowls and pigeons.

Observations on Gallinaceae.

Musk ox skull from southern England is additional evidence for Agassiz’s glacial period. Owen is mistaken in calling it a buffalo.

EB describes the buffalo proper.

Will send domestic pigeon specimens.

Believes pigeons were not bred in India before the Mohammedan conquest. Describes Indian breeds.

Believes the ass is an African rather than an Asian production. Discusses various species of ass and their distribution.

Wild horned cattle on borders of Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur.

[Notes received by CD on 6 May 1856.]

Reports observations on Indian pigeons from David Scott at Hansi. EB adds remarks on Indian breeds he has encountered. Suggests Egypt, Turkey, and Syria would be good places from which to obtain specimens. Believes domestic races are all descended from Columba livia; their calls are all similar and they pair indiscriminately.

Guinea-fowl.

Zebra-striped asses.

Markings of a Bengal jungle cock.

Refers to some of his own articles on birds in India.

Reports the arrival of the "glorious garrison of Lucknow". The "wonderful superiority of the European to the Asiatic" made the success of the insurrection inconceivable.

Gives some observations on birds; has forwarded a box of specimens.

Writes to assure JSH that all students taking the Cambridge medical examination should have already passed the botany examination.

Writes to assure JSH that all students taking the Cambridge medical examination should have already passed the botany examination, so his attendance is not necessary.

Sends extract from a correspondent’s letter reporting birds carried to Mauritius from Madagascar by winds.

Discusses the methods for adulteration of alcoholic drinks, including porter, ales and spirits. States that adulteration is far less harmful than the public imagine.

Discusses advice given to JSH on nux vomica and advice given to Bowerbank by JSH on leech cocoons. Compliments Henslow on his comparative kindness. Sends waste prints for JSH and the Ipswich Museum.

Discusses campaign to secure a comfortable position with a government pension for an associate, possibly Robert Edmond Grant.

Asks JSH about the situation regarding George Ransome, the first Honorary Secretary of the Ipswich Museum. Under his tenure, which ended in 1852, the Museum got into debt and Ransome failed to keep others informed. As President, JSH was obliged seek Ransome’s resignation and subsequently the Museum was financially supported by the Ipswich Corporation.

Discusses plan to get a government pension for the Berwick-upon-Tweed naturalist George Johnston and asks JSH for a testimonial. Explains that Johnston has given away earnings to his brother and others in need.

Mentions that he has not heard from their ‘lost Friend’, this is probably George Ransome, who left his position as Honorary Secretary of the Ipswich Museum after incurring debts.

Writes in relation to a batch of lenses for JSH, includes a list of lens types and a price for the whole batch. Includes instructions for mounting them.

Discusses intention to rectify error in sending books to JSH and arranges receipt of batch of lenses by JSH.

Explains lack of correspondence due to lumbago. Hopes to attend meeting with JSH and others if condition improves, bringing examples of Russian ammunition and black bread. This is probably Borodinsky bread, which uses coriander seeds to represent grapeshot.

Regrets that he is unable to attend a meeting with JSH and others mentioned in previous letter due to continuation of lumbago.

Describes microscopic images of bat hair for JSH in a plate illustrating a paper by J. Zuetell.

On his breeding of Jacobin pigeons. How reciprocal crosses to produce mules work among canaries, goldfinches, linnets, and green linnets.

Will soon forward copies of Cottage Gardener for June.

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