From:
Francis Galton
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
1 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 105: A96
Summary:
Gives another instance of curious habit in the Butler family.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Albert-Jean (Albert) Gaudry
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
2 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 165: 19
Summary:
Thanks CD for translation of Climbing plants.
AG is at work on Les enchaînements du monde animal [1878]. Will send CD a copy as soon as it is ready.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
5 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 165: 192, DAR 111: A92
Summary:
Dimorphism and cleistogamy in Hottonia.
AG wants new, unambiguous term for what is now referred to as "dimorphism", "dioecio-dimorphism", or "heterostyly"; proposes "heterogone".
Sends an excerpt from Bulletin of Torrey Botanical Club 2 (June 1871) on Hottonia inflata.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Friedrich Hermann Gustav (Friedrich) Hildebrand
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
6 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 166: 214
Summary:
Repeated maize crosses without success: i.e., in most cases yellow and red varieties did not produce fertile offspring.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Heinrich Ludwig Hermann (Hermann) Müller
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
6 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 171: 308
Summary:
Thanks for Cross and self-fertilisation.
Fritz Müller has been appointed "Naturalista Viajante" of the Rio de Janeiro Museum, which will help his income greatly.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Alfred William Bennett
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 160: 145
Summary:
Thanks for copy of Cross and self-fertilisation.
Reports instances of cross-fertilisation in maize,
and succession of forms of flowers on Isle of Wight.
Asks CD’s suggestions for his second edition of Julius von Sachs’s Text-book of botany.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Thomas Henry Farrer, 1st baronet and 1st Baron Farrer
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 164: 80
Summary:
Questions CD on sale of his books in America by Appleton and other publishers; copyright and translation rights.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Henslow
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[c. 7 Dec 1876]
Source of text:
DAR 166: 149
Summary:
Considers some flowers especially adapted for self-fertilisation, and believes all flowers are self-fertilising under some conditions. Gives examples of plants in which he believes all flowers are cleistogamous. Believes self-fertilisation is the primordial condition of flowering plants.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
8 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 111: A85, DAR 104: 73
Summary:
He has examined Hoya flowers with Bentham and Oliver, but they are not satisfied about the five processes alternating with the sepals. [See Forms of flowers, pp. 331–2.] Sends specimens of plants.
Babington’s surprise at JDH’s advocacy of Darwinian views at Norwich [BAAS meeting].
Criticism of the behaviour of the trustees of the British Museum [in the Challenger affair].
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Bentham
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
10 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 160: 166
Summary:
Sends specimens of Boronia.
Discusses the section on diclinous trees and herbs in CD’s new book [Cross and self-fertilisation, pp. 411–13]. CD’s theory that diclinism preceded hermaphroditism seems confirmed.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Robert James (Robert) Shaw
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
10 Dec [1876]
Source of text:
DAR 177: 154
Summary:
Adds a point to his previous letter regarding the buoyancy of birds and their soaring capacity.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Francis Maitland Balfour
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
11 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 160: 26
Summary:
Asks CD to renew his former offer to propose him for the Royal Society, as Michael Foster, now on the Council, is unable to do so.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
George Bentham
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
13 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 160: 167
Summary:
Believes Aegiphila to be exclusively American.
Contrasts fertilisation of Australian Acacia with Brazilian Mimosa.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
13 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 104: 71–2
Summary:
Complains at Albert Günther’s imputations against Charles Wyville Thomson [as a result of the dispute between Thomson and the British Museum, regarding the disposal of the specimens from the Challenger].
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
13 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 106: B130–1
Summary:
Responds to CD’s new work [Cross and self-fertilisation]. Suggests results might have been more convincing if CD had measured weights instead of heights. The fact that infertile hybrids have not been produced means that the "one great objection" has not been got rid of: the physiological characteristic of species. Suggests an experiment to produce "sterile mongrels" which would remove objection.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
Text Online
From:
Alfred Russel Wallace
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
13 December 1876
Source of text:
- Cambridge University Library: DAR 106: B130-131
- British Library, The: BL Add. 46434 f. 273
- Wallace Family Collection (private collection)
- Marchant, J. (Ed.). (1916). In: Alfred Russel Wallace; Letters and Reminiscences. Vol. 1. London & New York: Cassell & Co. [pp. 296-297]
Summary:
No summary available.
Contributor:
Alfred Russel Wallace Correspondence Project
From:
Francis Maitland Balfour
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[14 Dec 1876]
Source of text:
DAR 160: 24
Summary:
Michael Foster approves of names FMB suggested CD apply to [in proposing FMB to the Royal Society] and adds George Allman, Foster, W. H. Flower, and P. M. Duncan, the only biologists on the Council.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Francis Maitland Balfour
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[14] Dec [1876]
Source of text:
DAR 160: 25
Summary:
Lists his chief publications and suggests names of biologists in the Royal Society whom CD might ask to sign his nomination certificate.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
William Renton
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
14 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 176: 122
Summary:
Corrects Descent [1: 294] on inheritance of tortoise-shell colour in cats. It does not violate rule that characters appearing late in one sex are transmitted exclusively to the same sex.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Alphonse de Candolle
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
16 Dec 1876
Source of text:
DAR 161: 19
Summary:
Thanks for Cross and self-fertilisation.
Discusses geographical implications of inbreeding. Can the length of time an insular flora has been isolated be estimated by its weakness due to inbreeding?
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project