Has WDF ever observed musk ducks laying eggs in high places? The case bears on retention of aboriginal habits.
Also wants data on period of gestation of dog breeds. [See Variation 1: 30.]
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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.
Has WDF ever observed musk ducks laying eggs in high places? The case bears on retention of aboriginal habits.
Also wants data on period of gestation of dog breeds. [See Variation 1: 30.]
The hybrid case is most curious, if true. So many have tried to get hybrids from hare and rabbit.
Has done little regular work – correspondence on Origin has been gigantic.
Has amused himself working on power of Drosera to catch flies.
Finds the voyage tedious at present.
Expects that the different scientific societies will be of the greatest use to his work in London when he returns home.
Gives some impressions of Australia.
Writes of family photographs and health.
Is at work on an enlarged [3d] edition of Origin.
Thanks WDF for an inkstand that keeps ink from getting muddy.
Asks if WDF can verify truth of a statement that white sows carry their young for a longer or shorter time (CD forgets which) than other colours. Presumes it is false, "but many odd peculiarities are correlated with colour".
All his affairs are most prosperous. Has found many who will undertake description of animals; he will work at the geology. Lyell has been most friendly and kind.
CD has been proposed to the Geological Society.
Family news.
Henslow’s death a sad loss. Leonard Jenyns will write a biography.
Informs WDF of his activities since the Beagle landed.
Finished going over his geological specimens at Cambridge, and is now in London.
Describes his plans for writing the journal, and later the geology and zoology of the Beagle voyage.
Asks if WDF has ever crossed wild and common turkeys. Would like to quote his authority [see Variation 1: 292].
Also curious whether WDF has known the so-called japanned peacock to appear from common peacock [Variation 1: 290].
Thanks WDF for interesting letter about turkeys. Would be grateful for information on fertility of the hybrids.
Has finished the Journal; is readying it for the press.
Adds family news including Caroline’s forthcoming marriage to Josiah Wedgwood III.
WDF’s information on turkeys will be useful when CD resumes his half-finished volume [see Variation 1: 292].
Illness in the family.
Would like to go to Cambridge [for BAAS meeting]. Reminisces about his student days.
Pleased that WDF likes his book [Orchids]. At one time CD agreed with Lyell that he was an ass to publish it.
Working on dimorphism and sensibility of other plants.
Proof-sheets [of Journal of researches] are tumbling in. Mentions future plans for Zoology and geological works. Has £1000 from Government for illustrations.
Writes following his visit to WDF.
Mentions fossils Fox has collected.
News of Albert Way.
Hensleigh Wedgwood has resigned his post because of scruples about taking oaths.
Invites WDF to Down.
His stomach now so bad he cannot stay, even with close relations, for more than half an hour at a time.
Has quoted WDF on crossing white and slate muscovy ducks [Variation 2: 40]. When not crossed, do these breed true?
Will also quote him on Mr Woodd’s white ewes that produced black lambs by a ram with only black spots [Variation 2: 30].
If WDF should hear what ram was put to the ewes, CD would like to add it [see Variation 2: 30].
Will add "cautiously" that WDF believes white and slate muscovy ducks breed true [Variation 2: 40].
Thanks WDF for authentic details of number and colour of lambs [Variation 2: 30].
Complains of his eczema.