Summary

On geological works of Tschudi and Buch.

"My health keeps indifferent & I do not suppose I shall ever be a strong man again: everything fatigues me, & I can work but little at my writing: this summer, however, I shall get out my geology of S. America".

"I found Bronn’s Geschichte, which you recommended me, very useful, for references to facts on variation".

Summary

Is pleased JDH will attend to polymorphism and also with the botanical relation, as stated by JDH, between Africa and Java.

Would welcome any information on impregnation in the bud.

Summary

CD’s suggestions for improving a paragraph by JDH.

On distribution of certain species and their variation relative to a central, typical form.

Summary

Writes concerning CD’s "geometrico-geological problem". Attempts to square some of CD’s observations with certain geometrical theories concerning geological elevation.

Summary

CD brought some plants in spirits from Tierra del Fuego. Did JDH see them?

Problems of explaining formation of coalfields. Comments on recent work on coal formation.

Summary

Responds to LH’s comments on South America.

Thinks it unsound to designate a geological epoch after man. Doubts people’s confidence in date of man’s introduction.

Criticises A. D. d’Orbigny’s theory of elevation of the Cordillera.

Lists sections of South America of special interest.

Summary

Discussion of CD’s geological problem, relating to elevation of laminated beds around a rising granitic ridge.

Summary

Returns letter from CD to J. L. Stokes [see 940 and 1030].

Summary

Acknowledges receipt of draft. When does JH want the money for the new farmhouse? Bankers are Robarts, Curtis & Co. JH to pay them the rent directly.

Summary

CD has been stomachy and sick, but not very uncomfortable.

Working on proofs [of South America] and cannot keep printer supplied with manuscript.

His thoughts of her, and news of the children who are at Down with him.

Summary

News of progress in remodelling. He and Etty [Henrietta] miss the rest of the family.

Was sick, but "two pills of opium righted me".

Summary

ACVDdO asks CD to assist him in finding correspondents willing to provide British fossil shells for his proposed work, Paléontologie universelle, in exchange for parts of ACVDdO’s palaeontological works.

Summary

Variation in Mollusca.

Summary

Arrangements for publishing [South America].

Summary

Petitions for a Civil Pension.

Summary

B. J. Sulivan has just arrived with fossil bones from Patagonia. Wants to arrange meeting.

Summary

Does not remember where specimens came from. CD picked fossils most likely to contain Infusoria. Discusses composition of Tertiary strata of South America from which they came. Questions WCW’s statement that they contained siliceous matter.

Summary

Regrets he cannot visit JDH.

Has been talking with Lyell about coal, which he finds utterly perplexing.

Is delighted with the generalisations in latest numbers of Flora Antarctica.

Summary

Looks forward to LJ’s volume [Observations in natural history (1846)].

Observations on what the world would call trifling points in natural history are always very interesting to him. Deplores their absence in foreign periodicals.

Is slaving away to finish S. American geology.

Summary

Is slaving at South America – ¾ finished.

Has discovered geologists never read each other’s works – "the only object in writing a book is a proof of earnestness … Geology is at present very oral".