Index of Origin does not refer to variability of rudimentary organs mentioned at pp. 149, 168. Offers references to Rudolf Leuckart and to Franz von Leydig to support CD’s point.
Showing 41–60 of 174 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.
Index of Origin does not refer to variability of rudimentary organs mentioned at pp. 149, 168. Offers references to Rudolf Leuckart and to Franz von Leydig to support CD’s point.
Corrects CD’s statement [Origin, 3d ed.] that Madeira does not possess one peculiar bird. There is one, out of the 99.
Comments on FWH’s article ["Some remarks on Mr Darwin’s theory", Geologist (1861): 132–6, 183–8]. Does not adduce direct evidence of species change but believes it because so many phenomena thus explained.
Returns [an unspecified] enclosure referring to "a most wonderful cure".
Offers to go to Henslow despite his own poor health.
Comments on QdeB’s Unité de l’espèce humaine [1861].
Discusses acceptance of his theory among scientists, especially geologists.
C. V. Naudin did not show how selection applied in nature, but Patrick Matthew clearly anticipated CD’s views.
Asks TD to carry out research on brachiopods to see whether the forms in one formation are intermediate between those above and below.
Describes unpublished study of spirifers by J. W. Salter.
Thanks RC for "Ice and water" [in RC’s Edinburgh papers (1861)].
Comments on problem of scientific accuracy.
Discusses views of Thomas Davidson on the genealogy of brachiopods.
Thanks TD for his letter. Difficulties with CD’s theory are many and great, but CD thinks the reason is that we underestimate our ignorance. The imperfection of the geological record counts heavily for CD. His greatest trouble is weighing "the direct effects … of changed conditions of life without any selection, with the action of selection on mere accidental (so to speak) variability. I oscillate much on this head, but generally return to my belief that the direct [effects] … have not been great."
Is surprised that any one, like W. B. Carpenter, can go as far as to believe all birds may have descended from one parent, but will not go further and include all the members of the same great division. Such beliefs make "Divine mockeries" of morphology and embryology, the most important of all subjects.
Thanks W. H. Fitch for drawing for the Primula paper. Death of experimental plants delays publication.
Sends three tables on the known geological distribution of genera and subgenera of Brachiopoda. Has been continually puzzled by intermediate forms, and is convinced that the greater number of species can be linked together. "Natura non facit saltum."
Asks how many wild Chillingham cattle are killed each year. Interested in rate of increase.
Sends some replies to CD’s queries and data on pigeon flights between Bordeaux and Verviers.
CD is obliged for the offer, but he is "too much occupied to contribute to any periodicals".
Sends data on numbers of "wild" cattle in the herd on the estate of Lord Tankerville that have been killed by fighting, accidents, etc. He does not perceive that the cattle have diminished in size.
Discusses family and domestic matters.
Henslow’s long suffering.
Donald Beaton’s articles in Cottage Gardener clever but not to be trusted.
Henslow’s death.
What a contrast C. C. Babington will be as Professor of Botany at Cambridge.
Beaton not to be trusted.
CD may switch from Athenæum to London Review & Wkly J. Polit.
CD’s doubts on biography of Henslow. Writing recollections of Cambridge days at JDH’s request.
Has heard, through Lubbock, of a gentleman who is offering a partnership in a bank.