Asks about insect fertilisation of Melastomataceae.
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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.
Asks about insect fertilisation of Melastomataceae.
Has WBT ever heard of a case of the regeneration of monstrous (extra) toe on fowls?
Inquires about a curious pigeon reported at the Philoperisteron [pigeon fanciers’ club].
Congratulations on marriage, which CD considers the best and only chance for happiness in this world.
Glad HWB is near completion of book.
Begs him to thank Wallace for Melastoma information; CD "cannot endure being beaten by a beggarly flower".
Thanks CD for Origin.
TR has often thought naturalists do not pay enough attention to the effect of site, soil, and climate on animals and plants and "hence has arisen the enormous number of so-called species".
His observations on people of different counties.
Pleased that his book, Ch. Darwin’s Lehre [1863], has CD’s approval.
FR formerly a geologist, now a dealer in natural history objects.
Most active supporter of CD’s theory is Gustav Jäger in Vienna.
FR regards fossil Hipparion as a link between horse and pachyderms.
Asks FB’s help in identifying an article in The Field about the fins of fishes growing again after being cut off, and inquiring whether he has heard of the re-growth of organs in the mammalia or birds.
Does not believe in regeneration of monstrous toe.
Pigeon and poultry experiments.
Peculiar pigeon at Philoperisteron [pigeon fanciers’ club].
Discusses the ill-will between England and U. S.
Considers the bases for deciding which plant species are "high" and which "low".
Comments on Alphonse de Candolle’s paper on oaks ["Étude sur l’espèce", Ann. Sci. Nat. (Bot.) 4th ser. 18 (1862): 59–110].
Encloses S. H. Scudder’s letter on Lepidoptera and fertilisation of orchids which identifies a butterfly with Platanthera pollinia adhering to it. Jokingly applies natural selection to butterflies acted on by orchid pollinia.
Remarks on the influence of pollen of one species or variety on the seed and fruit of another while still attached to the female plant. Refers to a remarkable case previously given by D. Beaton and asks whether Beaton will repeat the details.
[CD’s letter is followed by notes by D. Beaton in which he answers CD’s question, dissociating himself from some of his remarks, and in particular denying C. F. v. Gärtner’s claim that colour of one variety of pea can be changed by the direct action of the pollen of a different variety.]
Grateful for CD’s commendation of his Glen Roy paper ["Parallel roads of Glen Roy", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 19 (1863): 235–59].
Reading Justus Liebig [trans. William Gregory, Animal chemistry or organic chemistry (1842)] has suggested that pattern of evolutionary succession might depend on differential need for soil minerals.
Naudin has not answered CD’s letter.
Reactions of Candolle, Naudin, Decaisne, and Gaston de Saporta to Origin.
CD’s new hothouse.
CD’s Linum paper.
JDH’s work on Welwitschia.
Thanks FR for sketch of progress of evolutionary theory in Germany.
Compliments to Gustav Jäger.
Comments on FR’s book [Ch. Darwin’s Lehre (1863)].
Asks CD’s views on TR’s observations that leaves breathe from their under-surfaces.
Peach-trees in hothouses cannot be kept in health unless fresh air is admitted so as to make its way under the leaves.
Continues his observations on the effect of environment on men – those migrating to America gradually assuming Indian-like features.
Thanks RT for his letter and MS.
Is astonished by the different forms of orchids he describes.
Urges RT to describe and experiment with two or three of the more distinct genera.
"I believe, or am inclined to believe in one or very few primordial forms, from community of structure and early embryonic resemblances in each great class."
CD thinks that he believes in as much migration as AdeC, only he does not believe nearly so much in continental extensions. CD also believes more in modification in form though he suspects the difference is not so great.
Thanks AdeC for information on melons, oranges,
and Swiss lake-habitation discoveries.
CD is almost tired of his book on variation under domestication, for his knowledge is insufficient to treat the plant part well, but he has done so much that he will finish it.
Cites [C. F.?] Burdach as the source of a note on atavism in alternate generations.
Wants to talk to CD about inheritance.
Invites CD to visit offices of the Field; editor wishes CD to place natural history inquiries there.
CD sends thanks for information; will write about the fins.
His health is weak and he is "almost smothered" with facts and inquiries, so is trying to restrict the scope of his present work, on variation under domestication.
Answers TR’s query about stomata.
CD will use "weeping trees" as an example of how inexplicable the laws of inheritance are, and asks for facts on character of seedlings.
Asks JJB for date of his article in the Field dealing with the regeneration of fishes’ fins; additional questions about the fish.