"I shall not be in London on Monday, but I have written to my Brother to ask him to aid you"
Showing 1–20 of 42 items
The Charles Darwin Collection
The Darwin Correspondence Project is publishing letters written by and to the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Complete transcripts of letters are being made available through the Project’s website (www.darwinproject.ac.uk) after publication in the ongoing print edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin (Cambridge University Press 1985–). Metadata and summaries of all known letters (c. 15,000) appear in Ɛpsilon, and the full texts of available letters can also be searched, with links to the full texts.
"I shall not be in London on Monday, but I have written to my Brother to ask him to aid you"
"When a man has laboured hard in science & has proved that he is capable of original research, he may [some]times indulge in speculation [&] the public will indulge him. But even in this case it is a common error to speculate too largely, for speculation is far easier than observation or experiments . . ."
Reports what he must pay for university courses. Forgets what CD wants to know about vermiform appendage.
Referee report on paper by Richard Spruce on sacs in Melastoma [see 6690]. CD says RS’s suggestions that sacs are inherited is not supported and should be deleted.
South Down sheep: variability in colouring and patterning of lambs compared with constancy of adult coat.
Sends CD some notes [missing] on the mode of fertilisation of winter-flowering plants, and outlines his conclusions regarding the different types of winter-flowerers and the means by which they are fertilised.
Asks for a photograph of CL to be used by a society [in Serbia].
Comments on article by Wallace ["Sir Charles Lyell on geological climates and the Origin", Q. Rev. 126 (1869): 359–94].
Has finished new edition of Origin [5th (1869)]
and is back at work on sexual selection [Descent].
Discusses changes in 5th edition of Origin owing to new evidence. CD now places more value on action of external conditions; thinks lapse of time [required for development of species] not so great as some geologists have thought, and single variations [saltations] of even less importance compared with individual differences.
Justifies his use of term "degraded" by comparing contrivances for cross-fertilisation in different species of Viola.
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.
Females have no preference for particular males in deer and elk. Observations on sexual behaviour and characteristics of elk, deer, bison, and other animals.
Dislikes the use of the term "degradation" as applied to the closed flowers of Viola species. Species with such self-fertilising flowers also have flowers adapted for crossing. The development of closed flowers adapted to ensure a sufficient stock of seed is progressive.
Asks whether in Slavonic races the hair of the beard and head are different colours.
H. M. S. Nassau, surveying Magellan Straits, has found fossils at Gallegos River. They have been sent to THH by R. O. Cunningham [naturalist of H. M. S. Nassau]. Skull of entirely new ungulate mammal.
Daisies.
A tame rabbit with a litter of 18.
The Linnean Society Council wants CD to review two papers, with reference to their value for publication.
Thanks for [D. D. Cunningham’s] letter. Had hoped for a better haul but delighted to hear of the curious fossil.
Sorry to hear of CD’s accident.
Recounts his travels.
Jane Gray writes a description of the Arabs.
Sends photograph of Sir C. Lyell and Professor Owen, generally considered our most distinguished [British] naturalists. Includes the requested photograph of himself [see 6720].
Discusses CD’s paper ‘Formation of mould’ and CD’s views on earthworms.