From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Alphonse de Candolle
Date:
18 Jan [1873]
Source of text:
Archives de la famille de Candolle (private collection)
Summary:
The evidence of tameness of Alpine butterflies [see 8672] seems good and the fact is surprising to CD for they can hardly have acquired this in their short life-time.
The question whether butterflies are attracted to bright colours independently of the supposed presence of nectar is still unanswered.
CD has great difficulty in believing that any temporary condition of parents can affect the offspring.
Pangenesis is much reviled, but CD must still look at generation from this point of view, which makes him averse to believing that an emotion has any effect on the offspring.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project