From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
23 Nov 1862
Source of text:
DAR 160.2: 204, DAR 205.2: 216
Summary:
EB has had his pension disallowed; is coming to England.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
27 Mar 1863
Source of text:
DAR 160: 203
Summary:
Wants to know when he may visit CD.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 Apr 1863
Source of text:
DAR 160: 205
Summary:
Has seen some curious hybrid ducks and geese of Bartlett’s. Bartlett will do experiments suggested by CD when he has time.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
21 Sept 1863
Source of text:
DAR 160: 206
Summary:
Sends some original observations on British ferns [not found].
Has secured a small pension and hopes to acquire a house near Kew.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
13 [Dec] 1866
Source of text:
DAR 160: 207
Summary:
Gives CD reference to case of the saiga, an antelope, fearless of man.
Reports observations by New Zealander who has seen heaps of pebbles presumably voided by Dinornis.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
19 Feb 1867
Source of text:
DAR 160: 209, 209/1 & 2, DAR 47: 190, 190a, DAR 80: B99–99a, DAR 205.11: 138, DAR 48: A75
Summary:
Encloses memorandum on Origin [1866]
discussing mimicry in mammals and birds,
abnormal habits shown by birds,
behaviour of cuckoos,
and analogies existing between mammals of the same geographical region.
Speculates on possible lines of development linking groups of mammals.
[CD’s notes on the verso of the letter are for his reply.]
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 Feb 1867
Source of text:
DAR 83: 34, 150–1, DAR 84.1: 26–7, 138
Summary:
Discusses sexual and seasonal differences in the plumage of birds and coats of mammals.
Remarks upon variations in the form of the canine tooth between the sexes in mammalian groups.
Plumage of allied species of plover.
Asks CD’s help with work on unimproved domestic animals.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[after 24 Feb 1867]
Source of text:
DAR 84.1: 105–6
Summary:
Sexual differences in bird species and seasonal variation in plumage.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[2–30 Mar 1867]
Source of text:
DAR 160: 208
Summary:
Discussion of origin of domestic sheep races. Some comments on the yak and the wild ancestors of the llama and alpaca.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 Jan 1868
Source of text:
DAR 160: 211
Summary:
Discusses mule canaries which show a tendency to revert to wild plumage colours.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[after 3 Feb 1868]
Source of text:
DAR 160: 210
Summary:
Recommends J. Scott’s paper on crossing varieties of Verbascum.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
6 Feb 1868
Source of text:
DAR 160: 212
Summary:
Discusses the origin and characters of sheep breeds, particularly the merino.
Reports observations on reversion to wild type in canary mules
and lists some animals that show a unique development restricted to one side of their bodies.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
11 Feb 1868
Source of text:
DAR 80: B169a–c
Summary:
Corrects some facts and gives further information on some points for the 2d ed. of Variation.
Specific distinctions among animals.
Cercopithecus of Africa contrasted with the Cebus of South America.
Notes on domestic fowls and their ancestors.
Slow growth of wild animals compared with domestic varieties.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[before 25 Mar 1868]
Source of text:
DAR 83: 154–5, DAR 84.1: 131–3, DAR 48: A77, DAR 84.2: 187v
Summary:
Detailed notes on secondary sexual differences in various species of birds and mammals.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[3 Apr 1868]
Source of text:
DAR 45: 29, DAR 83: 156
Summary:
Discusses apes and their relationships to each other. Writes particularly of the gibbon, its structure and well-developed legs giving it the ability to walk without using its hands.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
5 Apr 1868
Source of text:
DAR 84.1: 136, DAR 160: 213
Summary:
Discusses the human foot and its abnormalities; notes an example of syndactylism.
Gives his observations on sexual differences in coloration of terns and ostriches.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 May 1868
Source of text:
DAR 160: 214
Summary:
Reports another case of syndactylism.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
18 May 1868
Source of text:
DAR 83: 148, DAR 84.1: 107–8, 111
Summary:
Replies to CD’s queries regarding sexual differences in gibbons’ voices, chameleon behaviour, and the occurrence of spurs in pheasants and peahens. Discusses sexual differences in structure and habit within certain bird species.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
2 July 1868
Source of text:
DAR 160: 217
Summary:
Has examined three races of the mouflon sheep and remarks on the extent of variation in them.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Edward Blyth
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
20 July 1868
Source of text:
DAR 160: 218
Summary:
Reports on newly discovered Sclater’s pea-fowl from Cochin China.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
