Describes an astounding "sort of mis-begotten-bird-creature", the Archaeopteryx, a grand Darwinian case.
His elephant paper is out in Natural History Review [(1863): 43–114].
Showing 21–40 of 375 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.
Describes an astounding "sort of mis-begotten-bird-creature", the Archaeopteryx, a grand Darwinian case.
His elephant paper is out in Natural History Review [(1863): 43–114].
Praises JL’s article ["North American archaeology", Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 3 (1863): 1–26]
and Hugh Falconer on the American fossil elephant [Nat. Hist. Rev. n.s. 3 (1863): 43–114].
His admiration for HF’s paper on American fossil elephant.
Notes "temporary irruption of S. American forms into N. America".
Rejoices that HF has "smashed" case of Mastodon on Timor.
Shares HF’s anger at Owen.
He is eager to hear about fossil bird [Archaeopteryx].
Comments on criticisms of species theory by [Johann Andreas?] Wagner.
Describes research on fertilisation of Melastomataceae.
Falconer’s elephant paper.
Owen’s conduct.
Falconer’s view of CD’s theory: independence of natural selection and variation.
JDH on Tocqueville,
the principles of the Origin,
and the evils of American democracy.
Is pleased by CD’s praise of his article.
Hugh Falconer’s is certainly interesting.
Sends Primula scotica and P. farinosa.
So far cannot fertilise Gongora atropurpurea although it is similar to Acropera luteola.
Experimenting on intergeneric hybrids to test CD’s view that sterility is not a special endowment.
Scott’s personal history.
Acropera capsule grows.
Plans for experiments CD has suggested on Primula, peloric Antirrhinum, and Verbascum.
Asks about Gärtner’s experiments on maize.
Aware of Anderson-Henry’s failures.
Through kindness of J. H. Balfour and James McNab, enjoys facilities for research. JS is in charge of the propagating department. Balfour almost engaged him to be superintendent of the Madras Horticultural Garden.
Thanks for parcel of shoots with several interesting cases of "bud-variation".
Asks for information about roses.
Strange that great changes in peaches are less rare than slight ones and no case seems recorded of new apples or pears or apricots by "bud-variation". "How ignorant we are!"
Comments on his elephant paper
and CD’s observations on dimorphism in Melastomataceae.
Answers CD’s query on the free digits of Archaeopteryx.
Thanks for "rich and valuable" letter [missing].
Has read TR’s paper in Gardeners’ Chronicle ["Seedling fruits – plums", (1863): 27] – "a treasure to me".
Questions about seedling peaches that approach almonds.
Asks whether TR has ever observed varieties of plants growing close to other varieties for several generations without being affected by crossing.
Sorry CD considers Horace Darwin unfit for school.
Acquired characteristics.
Huxley’s lectures: good on induction, bad on sterility, obscure on geology.
Asa Gray on slavery.
Falconer’s partial conversion.
Alphonse de Candolle on Origin.
Health.
Is sending information about Timor fossils to be forwarded to Hugh Falconer.
Thanks for a gift of £20.
Particularly interested in TR’s information about peaches. Accepts offer of double-flowering peach-trees.
Will build a small hothouse for experiments.
JDH on Asa Gray’s sanguine view of the Civil War and slavery.
Wishes to discuss variation with CD, a subject that Huxley does not understand.
CD’s paper [on Linum] is announced for reading at the Linnean Society on 5 February.
Experiments to cut Laelia stigma from rostellum and then to fertilise rostellum are baffled by "a latent instinctive power". Somehow the pollen-tubes find their way to the style.
Suggests CD study variation in ferns.
His work on Mexico has some geology, which might interest CD.
He is currently at work on the "filiation des genres des espèces et des moeurs des guepes [hornets]".
Thanks for "Two forms of Primula" [Collected papers 2: 45–63].
Praise for Orchids.