Showing 61–80 of 456 items
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.
Birthday greetings.
Thinks it best not to reply further to Butler. Has read G. J. Romanes’ article with great pleasure. Romanes is right to ridicule Butler. Quotes passages about Butler from CD letters. Has received letter from F. M. Balfour urging him not to reply to Butler.
Interested in theory of flight machines. Thinks it may be possible to fly by hitching man to large birds. What does CD think?
Recalls gift of book sent to CD.
Forwards the preface to his book [see 12999] and comments on the effect of the Bible on science.
Brokers have purchased Leeds Corporation Stock.
Discusses the possible rebuilding of a pair of cottages on CD’s farm at Beesby, Lincolnshire.
Belated birthday greetings
and reminiscences of CD’s help to the Station, which continues to prosper. A recent innovation is the establishment of the Zoologische Jahresbericht edited by J. V. Carus.
Thanks for compliments on Evolutionist at large.
Reports on his improving health.
The laboratory has scarcely any experimental evidence on acidity of humus soil and earthworm excreta. Refers CD to some sources of information.
Island life continues to stimulate: Wallace ignores effects of glaciers on alpine flora and generally exaggerates those of débâcles and wind dispersal. CD encourages JDH to prepare a geographical address including history of geographical distribution.
Describes lecture at Royal Institution by J. S. Burdon Sanderson on movement of plants and animals; JSBS’s preliminary part was so long that he never got to the plants.
Comments on the triumph of the ladies in the voting at Cambridge.
Mentions F. Galton’s visit to Down, a call on the Huxleys, and a visit with the Duke of Argyll.
Tells a story about the absent-mindedness of Burdon Sanderson.
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.
Reports observations of worms for CD’s use.
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.
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.
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.