From:
William Darwin Fox
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
8 Mar [1856]
Source of text:
DAR 164: 174
Summary:
Is trying to procure some cocks for CD.
Believes Scotch deerhounds are mongrels.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
John Morris
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
1 Mar 1856
Source of text:
DAR 205.2: 246
Summary:
Informs CD on age of land, freshwater, and marine Mollusca.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Miles Joseph Berkeley
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 Mar 1856
Source of text:
DAR 160: 174
Summary:
Reports on breeding experiments with various seeds: corn, aubergine, kidney beans, sugar-peas. Speculates that cause of changes in seed colour in sugar-peas may be mere variation rather than result of impregnation.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
George Henry Kendrick Thwaites
Date:
8 Mar 1856
Source of text:
American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.125)
Summary:
Hopes GHKT will publish on variations in plant species at different elevations. Asks about variations among plants on heights of Ceylon.
Promises to publish on the species question.
Asks for pigeons’ skins from India or Ceylon, and for ducks’ skeletons. Mentions help promised by E. F. Kelaart.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Thomas Hutton
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
8 Mar 1856
Source of text:
DAR 166: 283
Summary:
TH believes that the progeny of hybrid crosses, in which a domesticated or "artificial" race is involved, tend to resemble the more "natural" of their parents [see Natural selection, p. 486].
Provides some information on local hybrid domestic geese [see Natural selection, p. 439] and pigeons.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Syms Covington
Date:
9 Mar 1856
Source of text:
Sydney Mail , 9 August 1884, p. 255
Summary:
Thanks SC for his interesting account of the state of the colony. SC was wise to settle there where his sons have much better prospects.
Has finished his book on barnacles [1854]. Royal Medal awarded him chiefly for this work.
Asks SC whether he has observed any odd imported breeds of poultry, for his work on variation of species.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Herbert Spencer
Date:
11 Mar [1856]
Source of text:
DAR 147: 484a
Summary:
Thanks for copy of HS’s Principles of psychology [1855].
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Samuel Birch
Date:
[12 Mar 1856]
Source of text:
British Museum (Department of the Middle East, correspondence 1826–67: 1489)
Summary:
Arranges an appointment.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
William Bernhard Tegetmeier
Date:
15 Mar [1856]
Source of text:
Archives of the New York Botanical Garden (Charles Finney Cox Collection)
Summary:
Asks WBT to try to purchase some specific pigeons.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
William Darwin Fox
Date:
15 Mar [1856]
Source of text:
Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 97)
Summary:
Believes WDF’s case of mongrel Scotch deerhound is very valuable for him.
Mentions his work on pigeons and chickens.
Fears sometimes he will break down: "My subject gets bigger and bigger".
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Miles Joseph Berkeley
Date:
18 Mar [1856]
Source of text:
Joseph R. Sakmyster, ADS Autographs (dealer) (no date)
Summary:
Thanks MJB for information which he is including in his article for the Linnean Society.
Refers to the peas "which produce the black or intensely purple pods". [See 1834 and 1836.]
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
William Bernhard Tegetmeier
Date:
20 Mar [1856]
Source of text:
Archives of the New York Botanical Garden (Charles Finney Cox Collection)
Summary:
Discusses various pigeons and would welcome receiving any odd breed. Some pigeons have died from overeating bag salt.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[c. 22 Mar 1856]
Source of text:
DAR 98: 133–9
Summary:
Gives references to works on fowls and pigeons.
Observations on Gallinaceae.
Musk ox skull from southern England is additional evidence for Agassiz’s glacial period. Owen is mistaken in calling it a buffalo.
EB describes the buffalo proper.
Will send domestic pigeon specimens.
Believes pigeons were not bred in India before the Mohammedan conquest. Describes Indian breeds.
Believes the ass is an African rather than an Asian production. Discusses various species of ass and their distribution.
Wild horned cattle on borders of Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur.
[Notes received by CD on 6 May 1856.]
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Charles John (Carl Johann) Andersson
Date:
25 Mar [1856]
Source of text:
National Library of South Africa, Cape Town
Summary:
Thanks for proof sheets of Lake Ngami: or, exploration and discoveries during four years’ wanderings in the wilds of South Western Africa (Andersson 1856).
Is very grateful for the information CJA has provided about cattle in South Africa, and wishes to ask further questions about native breeds.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
John Lubbock, 4th baronet and 1st Baron Avebury
Date:
[Mar? 1856]
Source of text:
DAR 263: 10 (EH 88206459)
Summary:
JL is studying Cynipidae. CD sends galls for his examination.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
John Wrottesley
Date:
[28 March 1856]
Source of text:
RS:HS 25.12.2
Summary:
Is able to sit up in a wheel chair only a few hours a day; JH's illness has left him out of the sphere of scientific activity so he is unable to make any useful suggestions about medals.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Sir John Herschel
To:
John William Lubbock
Date:
[19 March 1856]
Source of text:
RS:HS 23.167
Summary:
Is sending a letter of support for a neighbor for the position of commander of constabulary about to be established in Kent.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Harry George Wakelyn Smith
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[25 March 1856]
Source of text:
RS:HS 16.202
Summary:
Note asking JH to patronize an artist's exhibition in London.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Roderick Impey Murchison
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[2 March 1856]
Source of text:
RS MM.16.128
Summary:
Describes proceedings of government aid distribution committee meeting. JH's letter was so well-received JH was elected committee member. Asks JH to write example-illustrated report of resolutions and to be committee's orator.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project
From:
Roderick Impey Murchison
To:
Sir John Herschel
Date:
[15 March 1856]
Source of text:
RS MM.16.129
Summary:
Discusses JH's resolution regarding distribution of government grants, which Committee adopted but R.S.L. Council opposed. Relays in great detail proceedings and decisions of meeting.
Contributor:
John Herschel Project