Sends sketch of Catasetum tridentatum fruit at request of Edward Bradford.
CD incorrectly asserted that Catasetum is male [Orchids, pp. 236–8].
Showing 21–40 of 76 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.
Sends sketch of Catasetum tridentatum fruit at request of Edward Bradford.
CD incorrectly asserted that Catasetum is male [Orchids, pp. 236–8].
CD despairs when men like AG and Lyell consider themselves incapable of judging on change of species by descent.
Is confused over phyllotaxy.
Has been looking at Plantago lanceolata.
At the suggestion of J. D. Hooker CD offers his opinion on the value of a proposed collection to be made at the Galápagos. The display would not be attractive or appealing to amateurs in natural history, but the scientific value of good collections of every species would be very great if those of each island are rigorously kept separate.
JDH encourages a Mr Salwyn [Osbert Salvin] to collect in Galapagos; would like CD to add his encouragement.
Has just returned from collecting in Central America and is planning to go to the Galapagos to gather specimens in all branches of natural history.
Cites instance in which different varieties of same species of plant flourished side by side under same conditions.
Believes GM’s human bones from Gibraltar must be of very doubtful age. Lyell agrees, but feels any skull found should be forwarded to George Busk or Hugh Falconer.
Suggests GM look carefully for shells in the drift.
Thanks WHF for photographs [of niata ox skull]. Will tell Quatrefages de Bréau about the cast. May have the photographs copied for woodcuts to illustrate his book on variation under domestication.
Sends copy of the table, which now embodies CD’s suggestions [see 4117].
Gives instances of persons born with two thumbs and comments on hereditary factor.
Asks to borrow J. J. Audubon [Ornithological biography (1831–9)].
Thanks CD for letter [3935].
Encloses report [missing] of his latest expedition [to west coast], which had a grand result.
Has searched in vain for the Ophrys apifera CD asked for.
Thanks CD for paper on Linum [Collected papers 2: 93–105].
Calls CD’s attention to his observations on Rubiaceae.
The [genealogical] table seems excellent. Would be obliged for any further information about the children of the cousins – the case surprises CD.
Going abroad; will miss the English orchid season.
Thanks for maps.
George [Darwin] failed at St John’s [College, Cambridge] and will stay another year at school.
Lyell is "half-hearted but whole-headed" for CD’s theory. George Bentham wholly converted.
Bates’s book delightful but has a Darwinistic bias.
Cameroon plants.
JDH defends Bates against J. E. Gray’s slanders.
Thanks for drawing and note about peach–nectarine.
Is sending photographs of the niata skull [requested in 4082]. W. H. Flower reports that he could have a cast made for £3.3s.0d.
CD named corresponding member of the Society.
The Lyell–Falconer squabble.
Discusses island vs continental floras and their degree of modification.
Critical of Wallace.
CD’s observations on phyllotaxy.