Intends experiment to see if cats released in country can find their way back.
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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.
Intends experiment to see if cats released in country can find their way back.
AR plans, when he dies, to leave sea-side house at Worthing to Huxley.
Pleased that Huxley is likely to accept gift of AR’s house.
CD tells how it came about that Anthony Rich bequeathed his house and land to THH.
Astonished by Rich’s act. Has written to him.
Comments on the meaning of his definition of the term, "animal intelligence". Encloses further discussion from his forthcoming book [Earthworms].
Reports observations of worms for CD’s use.
Sends some books.
Responds to MS of Earthworms. An objective but arbitrary test of intelligence in animals is the ability to learn from experience. Earthworms fall on the border of intelligence. They could justly be called intelligent if they could learn by experience to manipulate some unknown, exotic leaf. CD should make clear that intelligence does not imply self-consciousness.
Discusses dead earthworms on surface of ground after rainfall.
Describes experiments involving sensitivity of earthworms to light and how it reflects on their intelligence.
Sends a number of facts for CD’s attention, including cases of water-beetles and newts in his aquarium having a foot caught by small bivalves. This might explain migration of bivalves.
Huxley has written to accept gift of Rich’s house.
Approves of Lord Derby’s politics.
Requests a subscription for Shrewsbury School.
Comments on GJR’s view of animal consciousness. Mentions experiment on learning among worms.
Sends CD some samples of recent produce. Is "pretty well disgusted by the apathy and stupidity" he has encountered whilst trying to arouse interest and support for his work.
Sends boxes of Lake Geneva pebbles that CD requested.
Reports some observations on the growth of hair on his baby son’s ears.
Obliged for potatoes. Has instructed that they be planted and labelled.
Returns the two books JHG had lent him. "I can plainly see I had better say nothing about the acidity of common mould."
Encloses statement of U. S. sales of CD’s works to 1 Feb 1881 and sends cheque for balance due to CD.