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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.
Encloses observations on Malays who have not had communication with Europeans [in answer to CD’s queries about expression].
Comments on a discussion of humming-birds by the Duke of Argyll [in The reign of law (1867)].
Encloses article by Henry Parker on the Duke’s book [Saturday Rev. 23 (1867): 82–4].
Asks DO to identify a plant grown from earth adhering to the foot of a woodcock.
Has received the first four sheets of Variation. Reinwald has received the stereotypes and is ready for printing.
Discusses dimorphism in plants, especially the Rubiaceae.
Gives observations on orchids; notes varying degrees of self-sterility and a varying success at crossing distinct species.
Mentions local ferns he is collecting
and considers the phenomenon of apparently mimetic plants.
Has asked a classics scholar about a word for Pangenesis. He suggests "atomogenesis".
Is getting in rather a fright about the coming exams.
Sends a sheet of proofs. Will hold four others until he hears from VOK, because of expensive postage. Thinks illustrating Russian translation [of Variation] with woodcuts from A. E. Brehm’s work [Illustrirtes Thierleben, 4 vols. (1864–7)] is an excellent idea.
Returns Hooker’s paper [unidentified].
Criticises the Duke of Argyll’s book [Reign of law (1867)], particularly on sexual selection.
But CD overlooks God’s intention to instruct man by nature’s beauty.
Criticism of anonymous article in North British Review [by Fleeming Jenkin, 46 (1867): 277–318].
CK supports large sports in response to large environmental changes.
Asks her to observe whether her dog exposes his teeth when barking and to think of any facts about expression in her birds.
Discusses hybridisation in cowslip and primrose.
Mentions proposed visit.
Discusses the Duke of Argyll’s book [Reign of law (1867)].
Cites his own views on diversity of structure and beauty.
Encloses letter from Wallace. Sexual selection: evidence advanced by Wallace.
Discusses correlation of growth.
Comments on article in the North British Review [by Fleeming Jenkin].
Discusses the evidence from physics on the age of the earth.
[Four pages of the final letter are missing, but the draft is complete.]
Asks THH to think about a better name for "Pangenesis"; suggests "Cytarrogenesis" or "Atomogenesis", but still prefers vaguer "Pangenesis".
CD probably advised omitting mention of experiments suggesting that oxlips, cowslips, and primroses could be produced from the seed of a single plant
Leaves for London tomorrow. Hopes to see JDH there or perhaps at Kew, but doubts the latter. He is not strong and has a good deal to do.
Has been reading [H. C. Fleeming Jenkin’s] review in North British Review. Would answer it if not so lazy.
Has read Mount Sorel [A. Marsh-Caldwell (1845)] and Disraeli’s life of Lord G. Bentinck [1852]. Bad science, bad literature, bad politics.
Offers to send parts of J. Syme, English botany [1863–86] in appreciation of CD’s aid.
Comments on CD’s species theory.
Will exhibit Cambrian fossil at next meeting of Geological Society.
CD is relieved that JWS’s circumstances have improved. He is pleased to accept Supplement to English Botany. He will try to attend Geological Society meeting.
CD is invited to see ARW’s collections at Bayswater.
ARW has written an answer to the Duke of Argyll and North British Review criticisms.
Relates some observations for CD on the crying of her infant daughter.