From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
10 and 14 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 165: 174
Summary:
Has received CD’s new book [Descent].
Will try to get answer to CD’s queries on Laura Bridgman.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
11 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 106: B98–9
Summary:
Admiration for vol. 2 of Descent, and plans for his review of it for the Academy [2 (1871): 177–82].
News of his new residence.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Robert Arthur (Arthur) Nicols
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
11 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 172: 56
Summary:
His previous account of Phascolarctos was based on notes made at the time of observation.
His report of the successful adoption of a koala infant by a cat comes from a trustworthy observer.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Bartholomew James Sulivan
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
11 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 87: 96–100, DAR 177: 296
Summary:
Recounts case of parrot whose talking seems to show "power of connecting definite sounds with definite ideas" [see Descent, 2d ed., p. 85 n.].
Has not seen CD’s daughter yet. Hopes the fine weather will continue while she is there [in Bournemouth].
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
John Jeremiah
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
11 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 87: 101–2
Summary:
Case of cat transmitting a habit to her offspring.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Patrick Matthew
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
12 Mar 1871
Source of text:
Natural History Museum, Library and Archives (General Library)
Summary:
Encloses an article he wrote for the Scotsman [9 Mar 1871, p. 5].
Wishes he had time to write a critique of Descent. There is evidence of design and benevolence in nature. Beauty cannot be accounted for by natural selection.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Robert Swinhoe
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
14 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 177: 335
Summary:
Is leaving for Ningpo; asks CD for another copy of his [Queries about expression], which he will try to answer.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
William Rathbone Greg
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
14 Mar [1871]
Source of text:
DAR 90: 127–30
Summary:
Comments on various points in Descent: proportion of sexes, moral sentiments in animals, etc. Encloses "packet of data" [missing].
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Frans Cornelis (Franciscus Cornelius) Donders
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
14 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 162: 227
Summary:
Thanks CD for Descent.
Sends a copy of his oratio inauguralis on De harmonie van het dierlijke leven [1848] in which he espoused evolution, but did not see the influence of natural selection.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Vladimir Onufrievich Kovalevsky (Владимир Онуфриевич Ковалевский)
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
14 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 169: 88
Summary:
Russian translation of Descent in progress, but the Minister of Interior has banned CD’s work and the book will be seized.
His foolish brother-in-law, Mayor of Montmartre, attempted to defend their section against the government.
CD’s queries on man and camels have gone to Alexander [Kovalevsky] in Sinai.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Julius Victor Carus
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
15 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 161: 79
Summary:
Sends CD a list of misprints in vol. 1 of Descent.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[15 Mar 1871]
Source of text:
DAR 106: B102
Summary:
Although their language is different, the Bugis are typical Malays both physically and mentally.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Robert Hugh Blair
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
16 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 160: 195
Summary:
Will be pleased to collect information on the blind for CD when time allows. Generally very few (about one quarter) of blind people entering institutions are born blind.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Busk
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
16 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 87: 29–30
Summary:
The presence of the inter-condyloid perforation in man no more indicates his simian relations than it does his relations to numerous other animals.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Émile Alglave
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
17 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 159: 37
Summary:
Comments on continued appearance of Revue [des cours scientifiques] despite German siege. Plans enlarged format to include politics and political economy. Repeats request to publish first part of Descent, chapter by chapter, to be followed by publication of the whole.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Bernard Lewin (Lewin) Hill
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
17 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 166: 217
Summary:
Case of hereditary transmission; in his own family ten of LH’s generation suffer a defect in the right knee-joint.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
John Murray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
18 Mar [1871]
Source of text:
DAR 171: 392
Summary:
Second "edition" [of Descent] published this day. Offers CD 800 guineas.
Mentions Wallace’s review in Academy.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
John Lubbock, 4th baronet and 1st Baron Avebury
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
18 Mar [1871]
Source of text:
DAR 89: 175–6
Summary:
Comments on Descent [2: 358–60] especially on CD’s view that behaviour of lower animals is evidence against JL’s interpretation [of aboriginal promiscuity]. View on communal marriage.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Morrish
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
18 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 171: 244
Summary:
Having read extracts of CD’s work, he argues that the scriptural version of man’s origin is superior, and he is concerned about CD’s salvation.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
19 Mar 1871
Source of text:
DAR 103: 63–4
Summary:
Describes plans for travel in Morocco with George Maw and John Ball.
Has not yet read Descent.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
