Opinions on the Origin: AG thinks it masterly; Agassiz considers it very poor.
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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.
Opinions on the Origin: AG thinks it masterly; Agassiz considers it very poor.
WBC’s review [of Origin, Natl Rev. 10 (1860): 188–214] will do great good. It "turns the flanks of theological opposers" capitally.
Asks for information about cuckoo eggs and West Indian sheep.
Sends a copy of his Ventriculidae [of the Chalk (1848)]. This group, he feels, is well represented by CD’s plate of graduating species [Origin, ch. 4].
Answers to queries on expression with respect to Fuegians.
CD has learned from Lyell that JDH reviewed Origin in Gardeners’ Chronicle writing in Lindley’s style.
Lyell is working on man.
Thanks EC for help in finding French translator [for Origin].
Thanks for mentioning J. G. Kurr on nectaries [Untersuchungen über die Bedeutung der Nektarien in den Blumen (1833)]. Requests observations on flowers with curved pistils. Finds they curve toward nectary, thus lying in path of insect.
American edition of Origin. AG’s assessment of the book’s weak and strong points. Suggests Jeffries Wyman would be a useful source of facts and hints for CD.
On the Origin. Before expressing his disagreements, CJFB praises CD’s labour, patience, fairness, and other qualities which make the work "one of the most important that has ever appeared in Natural History". [See 2690.]
CD preparing historical sketch, which will go into second American edition of Origin.
Asks JDH to copy out Naudin’s line on finality.
Very pleased with Asa Gray’s letter to JDH [see 2638], which is "rich on Agassiz".
It is not true that all the fossil cave bears are of the same species.
Discusses the direction of WED’s studies.
Tells of the response to the Origin and the impact that it has made in England and abroad.
Discusses NA’s pamphlet on human progress. Suggests making it a book [A survey of human progress (1861)].
Comments on study of dead languages.
Denies that animals are "governed only by selfish motives".
Thanks for L. Jenyns’ very sensible letter [missing].
Will be delighted to see JSH whenever he can come.
Lists land birds of Galapagos and discusses their distribution on mainland of S. America.
Suggests references in Journal of researches 2d ed. in response to a query about the antiquity of man. Perplexed about S. S. Haldeman and Haldeman 1843–4. Glad to hear about A. C. Ramsay. Has received letter from H. G. Bronn.
Urges JDH to work his essays into a book.
CD’s historical sketch ends with JDH’s introductory essay to Flora Tasmaniae.
Sends directions for JSH’s journey to Bromley and Down.
Informs CD that Sylvicola aureola may be a distinct species but is a close ally of S. aestiva of N. and S. America and perhaps only a "climatic variety".