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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.
Thanks W. H. Fitch for drawing for the Primula paper. Death of experimental plants delays publication.
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."
Has received the shipment of skeletons of fowls. Asks TCE species name of Gungla cock. Mentions other specimens.
Asks how many wild Chillingham cattle are killed each year. Interested in rate of increase.
Regrets the error in the bill and receipt. CD is surprised at so large a reduction in profit in the last edition.
Information is sought from correspondents regarding the mental powers of Polish and other tufted fowls. CD finds it hard to believe that the protuberance of the front part of the skull, which is accompanied by a change in the shape of the brain, would not produce a change in mental powers. References to Bechstein, Pallas, and Tegetmeier regarding the stupid behaviour of these birds.
CD is unable to locate his specimens of two Falkland Island birds [Opetiorhynchus].
Sends some replies to CD’s queries and data on pigeon flights between Bordeaux and Verviers.
Discusses results of his examination of fowls’ skeletons. Wants to quote TCE on variation in skeletons of allied species. Asks about skulls of birds with topknots.
Encloses amended note of £372 for third edition of Origin. Provides details of the calculation of profits.
CD is obliged for the offer, but he is "too much occupied to contribute to any periodicals".
Sends data on numbers of "wild" cattle in the herd on the estate of Lord Tankerville that have been killed by fighting, accidents, etc. He does not perceive that the cattle have diminished in size.
Acknowledges receipt of promissory note for £372 from JM for third edition of Origin.
Thanks WBT for information on pigeons and poultry.
Discusses family and domestic matters.
Thanks TCE for telling him of his crossed pigs. When they are grown, he would like to know whether they resemble each other.
Doubts the half-bred Gallus sonnerati will be productive, though he was assured many years ago that such a fertile half-breed once occurred.
Thanks for information about natural increase of Chillingham cattle. Compares with case in Paraguay.
Asks D. Beaton whether varieties of the same species of Compositae frequently cross by insect agency or other means. Do the raisers of hollyhocks have to keep each variety separate for raising seed?
Asks TCE to confirm some general statements on resemblances in skeletons of birds of same genus.
Henslow’s long suffering.
Donald Beaton’s articles in Cottage Gardener clever but not to be trusted.
