Thanks JC for pamphlets.
"I do not believe in Metempsychosis nor in Genesis – & you are growing so orthodox, that you will end your days, I believe, in believing in the Tower of Babel–."
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Thanks JC for pamphlets.
"I do not believe in Metempsychosis nor in Genesis – & you are growing so orthodox, that you will end your days, I believe, in believing in the Tower of Babel–."
Lieut. F. W. Hutton’s original review [Geologist 4 (1861): 132–6, 183–8] understands that mutability cannot be directly proved.
CD met Bentham at Linnean Society and asked him to write up his views on mutability.
Opinion of Owen.
Conversation with Lyell on antiquity of man.
Primula sibirica seems to be the only non-dimorphic species. Has made over one hundred Primula crosses.
Regrets Henslow’s illness.
Affectionate regards to Henslow.
CD infers [incorrectly] from Huxley’s report that Henslow is dead.
CD misunderstood Huxley: Henslow is not dead.
Comments on FWH’s article ["Some remarks on Mr Darwin’s theory", Geologist (1861): 132–6, 183–8]. Does not adduce direct evidence of species change but believes it because so many phenomena thus explained.
Returns [an unspecified] enclosure referring to "a most wonderful cure".
Offers to go to Henslow despite his own poor health.
Comments on QdeB’s Unité de l’espèce humaine [1861].
Discusses acceptance of his theory among scientists, especially geologists.
C. V. Naudin did not show how selection applied in nature, but Patrick Matthew clearly anticipated CD’s views.
Asks TD to carry out research on brachiopods to see whether the forms in one formation are intermediate between those above and below.
Describes unpublished study of spirifers by J. W. Salter.
Thanks RC for "Ice and water" [in RC’s Edinburgh papers (1861)].
Comments on problem of scientific accuracy.
Discusses views of Thomas Davidson on the genealogy of brachiopods.
Thanks TD for his letter. Difficulties with CD’s theory are many and great, but CD thinks the reason is that we underestimate our ignorance. The imperfection of the geological record counts heavily for CD. His greatest trouble is weighing "the direct effects … of changed conditions of life without any selection, with the action of selection on mere accidental (so to speak) variability. I oscillate much on this head, but generally return to my belief that the direct [effects] … have not been great."
Is surprised that any one, like W. B. Carpenter, can go as far as to believe all birds may have descended from one parent, but will not go further and include all the members of the same great division. Such beliefs make "Divine mockeries" of morphology and embryology, the most important of all subjects.
Asks DO to identify enclosed Fumaria or Corydalis flower, with springing hood adaptation.