JDH’s grandfather’s death.
Collecting testimonials for the Edinburgh chair.
Showing 61–80 of 1351 items
The Charles Darwin Collection
The Darwin Correspondence Project is publishing letters written by and to the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Complete transcripts of letters are being made available through the Project’s website (www.darwinproject.ac.uk) after publication in the ongoing print edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin (Cambridge University Press 1985–). Metadata and summaries of all known letters (c. 15,000) appear in Ɛpsilon, and the full texts of available letters can also be searched, with links to the full texts.
JDH’s grandfather’s death.
Collecting testimonials for the Edinburgh chair.
Condolences on JDH’s grandfather’s death.
When his wife can move, they will go to Staffordshire.
Returns some books; would like to see copy of Kosmos [by Alexander von Humboldt]. Would be proud owner of JDH’s work [Flora Antarctica (1844–7)].
The most experienced botanists argue for the "validity of species in nature". Against taxonomic "splitters".
CD’s Cape Tres Montes plants.
Going to Shrewsbury on Monday.
Means to attempt the question of species: "though I shall get more kicks than half-pennies, I will, life serving, attempt my work".
Thanks for Journal of researches.
Puzzled over pea flower from Cape Tres Montes.
Thinks species a fair and most profitable subject for discussion, but has no formed opinion of his own.
Kosmos [by Alexander von Humboldt] has arrived safely.
CD acknowledges his presumption in speculating on variation without having worked out his due share of species, but "for nine years it has been anyhow the greatest amusement to me".
Sorry to hear JDH did not get Edinburgh chair. Invites him to Down.
Would like to see JDH’s testimonials.
Disappointed with Kosmos.
Has visited Dean of Manchester, who is very heterodox on species.
Thanks for Antarctic flora [Flora Antarctica (1844–7)].
Agrees geographical distribution will be "the key which will unlock the mystery of species".
Could JDH look over a rough sketch on species?
Comments on JDH’s Flora Antarctica. CD is delighted with it.
"I can never cease marvelling at the similarity of the Antarctic floras: it is wonderful."
Questions JDH on points raised by the work: absence of alpine flora on southern islands; comparison of climate and floras of Tasmania and New Zealand.
Answers CD’s queries arising from Flora Antarctica.
Would like CD to come to town and go over Galapagos plants with him.
Is busy with shell work and cannot make it to Kew. Invites JDH to Down. Intends asking Edward Forbes and Hugh Falconer.
Can JDH come to Down on 6 December? If this is convenient, CD will ask Forbes, Falconer, and perhaps Waterhouse.
Delighted that JDH will come to visit him.
CD’s enjoyment of JDH’s visit and "all our raging discussions".
Would like to compare insects from Kerguelen Islands with those from Tierra del Fuego.
Disappointed with Webb and Berthelot.
Delighted to hear of more species from the Galapagos, surprised to hear W. Indian character of flora.
Goes on the assumption that each species has one origin, is immutable, and migrates.
Disagrees with Gaudichaud[-Beaupré] that volcanic island species are polymorphous.
Some mundane genera vary, others do not (Senecio vs Gnaphalium).
John Lindley’s doctrine of longevity of trees is amazing.
Edward Forbes’s health is better.
Will come to visit Kew if Claude Gay speaks English. Otherwise would prefer to wait until spring.
Will visit JDH in spring.
Will JDH ask Gay what birds, reptiles, or mammifers inhabit Juan Fernández [Island]?
Has JDH seen William Herbert’s paper ["Local habitation and wants of plants", J. Hortic. Soc. Lond. 1 (1846): 44–9]?
Thinks JDH’s explanation of polymorphism on volcanic islands is probably correct.
Proposes experimental test to see whether alpine form of a plant is inherited like a true variety.