Their views on transformism differ a great deal, as CD says, but perhaps not as much as CD thinks. Sending his [Physiologie comparée: métamorphoses de l’homme et des animaux (1862)].
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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.
Their views on transformism differ a great deal, as CD says, but perhaps not as much as CD thinks. Sending his [Physiologie comparée: métamorphoses de l’homme et des animaux (1862)].
Asks for a note to the Geological Society, since the museum did not have the book Carlyle wanted.
Account of Orchids.
Will see to Masdevallia and Bonatea.
Domestic matters.
Lyell’s health.
CD’s eczema.
Hopes CD will solve the mystery of Melastoma.
Discusses dimorphic plants and the occurrence of "precocious fertilisation" in the bud.
Gives some comments on design in nature in the light of the translator’s commentary in the French edition of the Origin.
Reports the recent events of the Civil War.
[Note on verso of envelope:] Utricularia vulgaris is "about as neatly contrived for cross-fertilisation by insects as almost any orchid".
Never mind the letter to the Geological Society; the museum got the book for Carlyle.
G. B. Wollaston [in "British Orchideae", Phytologist n.s. 1 (1855–6): 225–7] says Ophrys arachnites is a hybrid, which contradicts CD, who says it is a new species.
Believes, contrary to CD, that when anthers arise from petals the development of the pollen is affected by the amputation of the petal.
Believes interbreeding can be used to combine desirable characters, but that, carried beyond narrow limits, it leads to deterioration of the breed.
Has been experimenting on crossing polyanthus.
Sends concluding part of his recent lecture on orchids so CD may see how his inquiries were represented in one of the great centres of clerical influence.
Asks whether insects are attracted to one species of orchids more than another.
Thanks CD for sending Orchids.
Reports observations by his uncle relating to the successful breeding of a male mule with a horse.
WED reports on studying the pollen of grass and Valerian through his microscope.
Has not found insects visiting Epipactis palustris either at night or in the day.
Reality of hybrid plants and birds in nature is controversial.
Has misplaced CD’s forwarding address.
JDH’s trip to Switzerland with his wife.
Has seen Oswald Heer’s fossils, including a leaf, apparently dicotyledonous, from the Lower Lias in Jura.
Value of insect and crustacean fossils for systematic determination.
JDH "impressed with identity of physical features and what wonderful analogy of biological [features] between Alps and Himalayas".
Relates death of H. G. Bronn.
Discusses publication of German edition of Orchids [1862].
Will be sending information on peloric plants from his father [William Masters] soon.
Sends observations on Valeriana officinalis.
Offers to translate Orchids, since H. G. Bronn has died.
Observations on Platanthera.
Possibility of trimorphism in Mertensia.
Continues breeding guinea-pigs to test effects of warmth on gestation period. Concludes period is ten weeks and warmth has no influence. Offers CD the specimens.
Awaits Variation.