Summary

In the past six months he has done much geology and natural history. His geological pursuits are a source of high pleasure. Has lately determined to work chiefly on corals.

Spent three weeks going up the Santa Cruz with a party; they ran out of provisions 20 miles from the Cordilleras. Winter at present prevents his doing much natural history.

Summary

Detailed evidence for and against geological elevation along coast of the Indian subcontinent, South Asia, and Arabia. Extensive references to geological literature about these areas.

Describes coral sand-dune and salt-marsh formation.

Summary

Discusses David Milne’s Glen Roy paper ["On the parallel roads of Lochaber", Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh 16 (1849): 395–418]. Rejects Milne’s theory that outlet of Glen Roy is blocked by detritus. Impressed by Milne’s discovery of an outlet at the level of the second shelf. Believes this strengthens theory that lakes were formed by glacier blocking Glen Roy. Offers arguments against glacier theory.

Summary

Has repeated his observations and experiments used in Insectivorous plants; finds them sound.

Revises his reference to production of pepsin.

Summary

The translation of Humboldt’s Kosmos [Cosmos (1846–58)] is delayed.

Gives instances of peculiar genera with several good species in very small islands. Scarcity of insects on islands.

JDH cannot prove that there is much hybridising, but does not see why there should not be. "Bother variation, development & all such subjects, it is reasoning in a circle I believe after all."

Summary

History of the rose in India.

Looks forward to reading what Hooker and Thompson say on species and varieties in their Flora Indica [1855].

Domestication of the turkey in America. The Peruvians had domestic dogs. W. W. Robinson of Assam reports that otters are extensively trained for fishing but cormorants never are. Gives Robinson’s comments on local domestic geese, rabbits, and cats.

EB has skins of jungle fowl from different localities to send.

Summary

Describes CD’s visit to Maer on his return from Beagle voyage.

Summary

CD is glad LJ is describing the fishes [for Zoology]; would not have permitted J. E. Gray to describe them. New species will be lithographed.

Suggests books; offers coloured drawings made by artist on Beagle voyage.

Summary

Discusses insects collected by CD on St Paul’s Island and the Galapagos.

Summary

Recalls Cuvier’s reaction to Principles of geology.

Comments on Wallace’s article in the Quarterly Review [see 6684].

Not opposed to ARW’s idea that Supreme Will might direct variation.

Quotes passage in letter from ARW arguing for causes other than selection in determining human abilities.

Discusses excavation of lakes by glaciers.

J. P. Lesley does not believe ice-sheets involved in eroding Appalachians.

Summary

Thanks for Forms of flowers.

Summary

Comments on the ease with which different species of Felis can be tamed.

Asian species of wild cattle.

Variation in colour of jackals.

Discusses the difficulties of differentiating between varieties and species. EB recommends Herman Schlegel’s definition of species [in Essay on the physiognomy of serpents, trans. T. S. Traill (1843)]. Problems of defining species of wolves and squirrels. Pigeons and doves afford an illustration of "clusters of species, varieties, or races". Various pigeons have local species in different parts of India and Burma, some of which interbreed where their ranges cross; as do the local species of Coracias [see Natural selection, p. 259].

[CD’s notes are an abstract of this memorandum.]

Summary

News of his activities in recent months, of mutual Edinburgh acquaintances, and the Plinian Society.

JC has given up natural history for a time to prepare himself better for medical practice.

Summary

Gives a graphic description of a woman being terrified by mistaking him for a ghost in an old house.

Summary

Hopes to get Asa Gray’s review of Origin republished.

Argues for single origin of mammals.

Encloses two phylogenetic diagrams indicating possible descent of mammals.

Comments on rodents, marsupials, and dingo in Australia,

and on a paper on the survival of stumps as a result of root grafting.

Argues that man had a single progenitor and consists of a single species.

Comments on destruction of non-white races.

Discusses introduction of rodents to islands by man.

Summary

Asks for volumes of F. W. Beechey’s work [Narrative of a voyage to the Pacific and Bering Strait (1831)] and Nautical magazine and an order on [John] Arrowsmith for atlas of Dumont d’Urville’s Voyage in the "Astrolabe".

Summary

Congratulates WDF on passing his examination for the curacy; hopes he will find it comfortable.

CD is pleased at his own good showing.

Asks about WDF’s examination, books, etc.

Summary

Thanks CD for papers he sent his wife. They will help her pass her time as an invalid.

Summary

Encloses corrections and notes on Variation [1st ed.].

Summary

Memorial presented by members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science and other scientific societies, submitting that natural history is inadequately provided for by the present constitution of the Board of Trustees of the British Museum.