These are letters to Woodward, usually only one letter per correspondent, concerning his professional appointments, and botanical and geological research and publications. There is also scattered information regarding the Geological Society of London, and the British Museum, but little substantive material on Woodward himself.

There is correspondence concerning geology, botany, natural history, natural selection, evolution, British science and scientists, and other scientific topics. Most of the letters are written by Lyell, with a very few items by others.