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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.
Is preparing a new edition of Origin [6th ed. (1872)] and asks GB for information on the gradations between the vibracula and avicularia of the Polyzoa and on what he bases his opinion concerning the homology of the avicularium with the zooid.
An affectionate letter to HL on her honeymoon. Urges her to keep her mother as an example.
Thanks for £5 for the Voysey fund.
CD’s views [on religion] are far from clear. He cannot make up his mind how far an inward conviction that there must be some Creator or First Cause is really trustworthy evidence. Does not feel he has thought deeply enough to express himself publicly on religion.
Wants to sell some shares held in trust by EAD and Josiah Wedgwood [III].
Reports on the international support he has obtained for the zoological station [see 7038]. Asks CD whether he will serve on a board of naturalists who would receive an annual report on the station.
Huxley is now convinced by AD’s views on homologies of the nervous system of arthropods, annelids, and vertebrates. Kovalevsky takes the same line but does not go far enough.
Agrees to have his name on the list of naturalists to whom annual report [on zoological station] should be sent.
His health has been very bad for last six weeks.
Thanks for sending the photographs of hairy people at the Burmese court.
CD’s letter [7922] was very sweet to her, and if her marriage [to Richard B. Litchfield] can be half as perfect as CD’s she will be very happy.
Richard’s German fails in communicating with washerwomen.
In hunting dogs behavioural and physical traits are often inherited together and from either male or female parent.
Informs CD that there are goats at Nancy with maxillary appendages similar to those of the ancient Irish pig [see Variation 1: 75].
Discusses exchange of books.
Replies to CD’s queries about the homologies of the avicularian and vibracular organs of Polyzoa and gives examples of gradations between the two.
Writes to check on stock certificates received.
CD is interested in the gradation of character in the lamellae of the beaks of ducks. He finds that they are less developed or prominent in the common duck and goose than in true ducks. Is OS able to provide him with any information on this subject?
Sees mistake he made on certificates; will make list for future use.
Thanks for facts relating to inheritance.
Prefers W. C. Wells’s explanation of the formation of the Nehro type to CD’s sexual selection.
Outlines his view of the origin of man by natural selection.
CW’s pamphlet [Darwinism (1871)] nearly ready. Friends have been much struck by it but say several passages rather obscure.
Glad CW coming to England. Will be delighted to see him at Down.
CD plans to use notes provided by GB. [See Origin, 6th ed., p. 193.]