Recommends publisher for HWB; admires J. van Voorst but suggests Murray.
In reply to HWB’s letter [missing], comments on neuters and mimicry.
Showing 41–60 of 72 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.
Recommends publisher for HWB; admires J. van Voorst but suggests Murray.
In reply to HWB’s letter [missing], comments on neuters and mimicry.
Thanks HWB for information on Volucella, although he does not know when he will use it.
Is glad HWB is beginning his book.
CD is beginning work on his orchid book.
Thanks HWB for references.
Praises his paper ["Contributions to an insect fauna of the Amazon valley", read before Linnean Society, 21 Nov 1861, Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 23 (1862) : 495–566] which solves "one of the most perplexing problems which could be given to solve".
Discusses the difficulties of writing and expresses disappointment at Wallace’s book [Travels on the Amazon (1861)].
Praises MS of first chapter of HWB’s book [The naturalist on the river Amazons (1863)]. Suggests he give common names and make comparisons to familiar English species to help readers. Suggests a few changes. Will speak strongly to Murray about publishing whenever HWB is ready.
Has been in bad health and has just read HWB’s MS in the last two days. Praises the book; assured it will be successful. Offers to write to Murray. Hooker interested in conclusions on colour.
Encloses note from Murray, hoping it will be satisfactory. Murray is ready to see as much of MS as possible. Murray is considered honest but may be cautious, since HWB’s name is unknown to the public.
Writes that [Murray’s] terms are very favourable; has never heard of such terms offered for a first work. HWB can depend on fact that Murray is pleased with it [The naturalist on the river Amazons].
Thanks for information on domestic animals of Indians.
Glad Murray thinks well of MS of The naturalist on the river Amazons.
CD working on proofs of Orchids.
Invitation to visit; Hooker will be present. Gives directions to Down. Also plans to invite John Lubbock over for an evening.
Thanks for letter and "valuable" extracts.
If S. American Carabi differ more from other species than do those from other distant locations (e.g., Siberia, Europe, etc.), CD agrees that difference would be too great to have occurred in the recent glacial age; CD also rejects independent origin. Plants seem to migrate more readily than animals. HWB should not underrate length of glacial period; CD also believes they will be driven to an older glacial period.
Sorry about news of British Museum – hopeless to contend against anyone supported by Owen.
CD dearly wishes HWB could find a situation in which he could give time to science.
Referring to conversation with Lyell, CD is certain that there was a Miocene glacial period.
Compliments HWB on the mimetic display at the British Museum. Those at the Museum readily accepted HWB’s "doctrine".
Was shown genital organs of closely allied Chrysomelidae.
Albert Günther is candidate for position at Museum.
Encloses a question [missing] concerning language [from Hensleigh Wedgwood].
Asks for news of HWB and his book.
There has been sickness in CD’s family; one of the boys [and Emma] had scarlet fever.
Has had a letter from Edwin Brown of Burton who is working on classification of Carabi.
Thanks for last note. Assures HWB that all writers have problems similar to his.
Plans to inquire at Linnean Society for HWB’s paper.
His family, including Mrs Darwin and Leonard, are now well.
Just finished HWB’s paper ["Contributions to an insect fauna of the Amazon valley", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 23 (1862): 495–566], one of the most remarkable he has ever read. Found mimetic cases and connection of facts marvellous. Finds equally important the facts on variation and segregation of complete and semi-complete species. Questions whether insect mimicry is not due to small size and defencelessness. Criticises title of paper. Mentions that Wallace will appreciate it.
[Apparently in reply to question in missing portion of 3825.] A written agreement is unnecessary, but a letter stating terms would prevent misundertanding. He will attempt to have a review of HWB’s paper published.
Thanks for paper and references on variations [missing].
Regrets HWB’s trouble about artists, etc., saying such trouble is a law of nature.
Asks whether HWB has heard of starving Indians who are forced to cook in different ways, and eat new things.
Asa Gray will try to get HWB’s paper reviewed.
Also mentions that he (CD) wrote a short review of it for Natural History Review [Collected papers 2: 87–92].
Asks whether bees or Lepidoptera visit flowers of Melastomataceae.
Congratulations on marriage, which CD considers the best and only chance for happiness in this world.
Glad HWB is near completion of book.
Begs him to thank Wallace for Melastoma information; CD "cannot endure being beaten by a beggarly flower".
CD relates Asa Gray’s pleasure over HWB’s paper and Gray’s plans to write abstract [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 36 (1863): 285–90].