From:
Jeffries Wyman
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
8 Jan [1861]
Source of text:
DAR 89: 18–21
Summary:
Responds to CD’s inquiries about rattlesnake.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
William Duppa Crotch
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
25 Jan 1861
Source of text:
DAR 47: 173–4
Summary:
Physiological changes in Shetland ponies and seagulls resulting from change in diet.
Reports on the discovery of eyeless beetles in cellar [i.e., not caves]. How did they get there, and whence?
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Francis Walker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
1 Feb 1861
Source of text:
DAR 46.2 (ser. 3): 54–5
Summary:
Identifies two dipterous species of parasites [chalcidites].
Was not able to attend to the aphids last year, but will make use of CD’s suggestions and "study as much as I can the inquiry as to species".
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
William Alexander Wooler
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 Feb 1861
Source of text:
DAR 181: 156
Summary:
Discusses the colouring of the young of various breeds of rabbit.
Observations on results of various poultry crosses and on a character which is linked to sex.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Andrew Dickson (Andrew) Murray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 Mar 1861
Source of text:
DAR 47: 154–5
Summary:
Will be pleased to review Asa Gray’s pamphlet [see 3068].
Is not surprised that blind cave insects are sometimes found in other dark places.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Gideon Lincecum
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 Mar 1861
Source of text:
Linnean Society of London (MS S.P. 604A)
Summary:
Reports on the habits of the cutting ant of Texas, particularly its habit of planting shade trees to protect its mound from sun.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Maw
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
15 Mar 1861
Source of text:
DAR 171.1(3): 95
Summary:
Asks for a testimonial for Edward Newman.
Discusses the Origin, considers natural selection works well when applied to the evolution of nations and groups of men; on the other hand feels the classification of mineral elements is a damaging analogy as it parallels organic classification but could not be derived by any evolutionary means.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Henry Walter Bates
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
18 Mar 1861
Source of text:
DAR 160.1: 61
Summary:
Sends his paper ["Insect fauna of the Amazon valley", Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. 2d ser. 5 (1861): 223–8, 335–61].
Points out three areas of interest arising from the study of the species of Papilio: the derivation of the fauna, the variability of the species, and the permanence of local varieties.
Discusses J. S. Baly’s views on specific differences in reproductive organs [Catalogue of the Hispidae in the collection of the British Museum (1858)].
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Henry Walter Bates
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
28 Mar 1861
Source of text:
DAR 160.1: 62
Summary:
Discusses specific varieties, especially geographic varieties.
Comments on the effects of the glacial age on the tropics.
Sexual selection.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
John Brodie Innes
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[before 6 Apr 1861]
Source of text:
DAR 48: 69
Summary:
A bee’s sting always remains behind.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
John David Glennie, Jr
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
6 Apr 1861
Source of text:
DAR 48: 70–3
Summary:
The stinging of bees and wasps contrasted.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Rolleston
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
16 Apr 1861
Source of text:
DAR 176: 206
Summary:
Index of Origin does not refer to variability of rudimentary organs mentioned at pp. 149, 168. Offers references to Rudolf Leuckart and to Franz von Leydig to support CD’s point.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Philip Lutley Sclater
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
17 Apr 1861
Source of text:
DAR 205.3: 292
Summary:
Corrects CD’s statement [Origin, 3d ed.] that Madeira does not possess one peculiar bird. There is one, out of the 99.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Thomas Davidson
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 May 1861
Source of text:
DAR 99: 1–2
Summary:
Sends three tables on the known geological distribution of genera and subgenera of Brachiopoda. Has been continually puzzled by intermediate forms, and is convinced that the greater number of species can be linked together. "Natura non facit saltum."
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
William Bernhard Tegetmeier
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 May [1861]
Source of text:
DAR 205.2: 256
Summary:
Sends some replies to CD’s queries and data on pigeon flights between Bordeaux and Verviers.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
John Murray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 May 1861
Source of text:
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 41913 pp. 107–8)
Summary:
Encloses amended note of £372 for third edition of Origin. Provides details of the calculation of profits.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Robert Edmond Grant
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
16 May 1861
Source of text:
Grant 1861, pp. v–vi
Summary:
[Letter printed in REG, Tabular view of the primary divisions of the animal kingdom.] Dedicates his book to CD in testimony of his admiration of CD’s successful attempt to throw light on "the mystery of mysteries of organic nature".
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
William Bernhard Tegetmeier
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[28 May 1861]
Source of text:
DAR 84.1: 144
Summary:
[Queries in CD’s hand answered on same pages by WBT.] Sexual selection of fowls; role of beauty in cocks.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Bernard Peirce Brent
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
29 May 1861
Source of text:
DAR 84.1: 1–9
Summary:
Sexual behaviour of fowls.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[June 1861]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 35
Summary:
Describes her compassion for all his sufferings and writes of her wish that his gratitude could be offered to heaven as well as to herself. To her, the only relief is to try to believe that suffering and illness are from God’s hand "to help us to exalt our minds & to look forward with hope to a future state".
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
