Summary

Origin of Antarctic brash ice.

Further on case of Lycopodium: does JDH know any genera of plants whose species are variable in one continent but not in another? Discussion on variations between floras as regards species richness, and factors affecting geographical distribution. On species, CD expects "that I shall be able to show even to sound naturalists that there are two sides to the question of the immutability of species; – that facts can be viewed and grouped under the notion of allied species having descended from common stocks". Mentions books and papers for and against species mutability. CD believes past absurd ideas arose from no one’s having approached subject on side of variation under domestication.

Would like to see Clarke’s paper

and would welcome visit from JDH.

Summary

Mentions his Plutonic view of earth history.

Cites Lyell’s opinions on loess.

CD doubts contemporaneousness of extinct great animals with ice period.

Cites applicability of Forbes’s theory of glacier structure to structure of volcanic obsidian.

CD is falling astern in the geological race for knowledge.