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:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Edward Blyth
Date:
10 Dec [1866]
Source of text:
American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.)
Summary:
Asks for reference to EB’s article about tame deer on island in Aral Sea.
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:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Edward Blyth
Date:
[18 Feb 1867]
Source of text:
McGill University Library, Department of Rare Books
Summary:
Asks to meet EB for a walk in the Zoological Gardens.
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:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Edward Blyth
Date:
[19 Feb 1867]
Source of text:
McGill University Library, Department of Rare Books
Summary:
Is so unwell he must cancel appointment to meet at Zoological Gardens.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Edward Blyth
Date:
23 Feb [1867]
Source of text:
McGill University Library, Department of Rare Books
Summary:
Many of EB’s remarks about Origin [4th ed. (1866)] are new to CD.
Thinks of writing a short essay on man.
Struck by EB’s remarks about orang. They are similar to Carl Vogt’s remarks on origin of man from distinct ape families.
Thinks similarity of orang to Malay must be accidental.
Will send Variation when it is published.
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:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Edward Blyth
Date:
25 Mar [1868]
Source of text:
McGill University Library, Department of Rare Books
Summary:
Has found EB’s MS most interesting and valuable. Fully half the facts were new to him; will probably use some.
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