Summary

On ED’s planned edition [German] of CD’s Journal of researches.

Informs him of his forthcoming volume, Volcanic islands.

"I am well acquainted with your paper on Chatham Island ["An account of the Chatham Islands", J. R. Geogr. Soc. 11: 195–215], & … those passages on the very curious fact of the apparent specific differences of the birds there & at New Zealand".

Thanks ED for recognition of his "small labours in Natural History… . praise from men, like yourself, is the only, though quite sufficient, reward I ever expect or wish to obtain for my works. – I have lately had the extreme satisfaction of hearing that Hooker speaks highly of the accuracy … of my statements". Refers to Humboldt and Owen.

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[With the notation "If not there to be forwarded by favour of Prof. Liebig" on the address.] "I am very glad to hear that you are going to edit a German Geological Journal".

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"You will have been sorry to have seen in the newspapers, the disturbances & fightings with the New Zealanders. – I have lately been much interested in reading your chapters on the slow decrease in numbers … of these poor people. The case appears to me very curious, especially as the decrease has commenced or continued since the introduction of the potato – the relation between the amount of population & of food is hence inverted. It would have been a case for the great Malthus to have reflected on".

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Delighted to be able to contribute Infusoria to ED’s "great countryman Ehrenberg". Includes a list of eight substances from his collection described in detail, which Ehrenberg might find useful in his researches.

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About the researches of Ehrenberg. "I have … sent him several packets of objects from my voyage & that of Dr. Hooker".

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With thanks for ED’s publication. "I consider your having made my work known in Germany a full & ample recompense to such exertions as I made during our Voyage".

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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".

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Says Colburn will allow German publisher to use copperplate and woodcuts [for Journal of researches]. Has been delayed in corrections owing to death of a relative [Josiah Wedgwood II].

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Thanks ED for copy of German edition of Journal of researches. Asks him to write and ask German publisher to return plates and MS.

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CD sends off his notes [corrections and additions to his Journal of researches] which he hopes ED will introduce [in German translation].

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"It is evident that you have not time now to pay me a visit, & indeed as Mrs Darwin is in daily expectation of her confinement I could hardly have asked you … When I saw your name & that of many other naturalists at Cambridge, I wished much to have been there; but my strength so often fails me, that I expected more mortification than pleasure …

I should have liked to have heard the Crater-of-Elevation discussion; after having read both sides, I cannot subscribe to that view; but I think there remains something unexplained about those many vast circular volcanic ruins …

I presume it is very unprobable [sic] that there will ever be a second German Edition of my Journal … I have largely condensed, corrected & added to the Second English Edition, & I am sure have considerably improved & popularised it".

Summary

CD gratified that ED wants to translate his Journal. Will send a copy of Coral reefs, which contains a fuller treatment of topic. Perhaps ED would insert a note to this effect. Can lend woodcuts from Coral reefs if ED wants. CD will send a few corrections; he wants to amend way he criticised Agassiz’s glacier theory.

He is also enclosing a questionnaire concerning differences between races or varieties and species, about which he intends to publish sometime.

Summary

On the results of Robert Bunsen’s journey to Iceland, which he compares in detail with his own research.

"I have for the present given up Geology, & am hard at work at pure Zoology & am dissecting various genera of cirripedes, & am extremely interested in the subject." "I always, however, keep on reading & observing on my favourite work on Variation or on Species, & shall in a year’s time or so, commence & get my notes in order."