Summary

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

Summary

Sends a number of questions (to put to his father), mainly concerned with transmission of diseases, between Europeans and natives, "people packed together", etc.

Is investigating how to get Government support [for Zoology].

Summary

CD wants to request the assistance of Government to support the expense of the numerous engravings necessary for the publication of the results of the extensive collections in various departments of Natural History during the Beagle voyage. To what quarter should he apply?

Summary

Asks Whewell questions on earthquake wave action.

Thanks him for signature [to CD’s request to Chancellor of the Exchequer for funds for Zoology].

Summary

Upon the advice of Captain Beaufort and with embarrassment to himself CD asks JSH whether he would be perfectly willing personally to take the letter requesting government assistance directly to Thomas Spring Rice [Chancellor of the Exchequer].

Summary

Encloses CD’s letter and documents [see 360a and 361a] with request that they be reviewed by the Chancellor personally.

He would also like to discuss Cambridge politics if an interview can be arranged.

Summary

Discusses insect specimens he left with FWH. Asks if he may state on FWH’s authority that a third or a half of the specimens from Sydney and Hobart Town are undescribed – a striking fact, showing imperfect knowledge of the insects in the close neighbourhood of the two Australian capitals.

Summary

Reports on the insect specimens [collected by CD] from Australia, New Zealand, and Tierra del Fuego. Has not completed descriptions.

Summary

Has finished the Journal; is readying it for the press.

Adds family news including Caroline’s forthcoming marriage to Josiah Wedgwood III.

Summary

Referee’s report on "Elevation on the coast of Chili" [(1838), Collected papers 1: 41–3] and paper by Alexander Caldcleugh on same subject. Recommends printing CD’s in Transactions and shortening Caldcleugh’s. [W. Lonsdale’s note shows CD’s paper withdrawn 15 Nov 1837, Caldcleugh’s ordered not printed 15 Nov 1837.]

Summary

Has been "cramming up learning to ornament my journal with".

Sends a list of questions on his botanical specimens. Needs answers for Journal of researches, which he expects to go to press in August.

Summary

Questions about woods in cold, northern climates; about JR’s reference to frozen sandstone; about how far out from the shore the sea may become frozen.

His petition for assistance from the government is in statu quo; he is working at his Journal [of researches].

Summary

Galapagos land birds and reptiles.

No two naturalists agree on any fundamental idea [of species]. "Everything is arbitrary."

Has been with Richard Owen going over the S. American fossils.

Has worked out the non-relation between animals’ bulk and luxuriance of vegetation.

The horse once common on the Pampas. The mystery of the extinction of these animals.

Summary

Botanical queries for Journal of researches, which is about to go to press.

Summary

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.

Summary

Asks to withdraw abstract of his paper on coral formations ["Elevation and subsidence in the Pacific" (1838), Collected papers 1: 46–9].

Summary

With the encouragement of several scientific gentlemen and supported by the opinions of the Presidents of the three Learned Societies, CD ventures to request a grant of £1000 from Government to cover the cost of 150 engravings to illustrate results of his Beagle collections.

Summary

Chancellor of the Exchequer has ordered £1000 for the publication of the Zoology. Would like to meet JR to ask his advice on one or two points.

Thanks for his long account of the climate of North America.

Summary

Dissected beak of Rhynchops shows no extensive innervation. But beak may nevertheless be a sensitive organ of touch as CD suggests.

Summary

Suggests coming to visit on Monday. Sends the Misses Horner a segment of wedding cake from Shrewsbury [marriage of Caroline Darwin to Josiah Wedgwood III].