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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.
The flint tools found at Bedford.
Further discussion of Jamieson’s theory of the formation of the roads of Glen Roy by a glacial lake. Comments on formation of Glen Spean terraces. Mentions glaciers in North Wales.
Agreement with John Murray to publish [Orchids].
Discusses seed capsules [of Epipactis palustris?].
Sorry AGM is in bad health.
Thanks HWB for information on Volucella, although he does not know when he will use it.
Is glad HWB is beginning his book.
CD is beginning work on his orchid book.
Would JM object to size of Orchids being same as W. N. Hutchinson, Dog breeding [1850]? Prefers little book, not to look pretentious.
Query on orchid homology.
Critical of F. A. Bauer on orchids [Illustrations of orchidaceous plants (1830–8)].
Likes the idea of matching Orchids with Origin. Begs for large print and spacing so that the book will not look "ridiculously small".
Orchid anatomy.
Thanks for JG’s book [An introduction to the Trochilidae, or family of humming-birds (1861)], which he has read carefully. Hopes someday to use the information on the close alliance of species in large genera.
CD repudiates hybridity of birds in nature.
Intends to extract the cases of "races" or doubtful species. They show that "determination of species is not a simple affair".
Asks DO to look for nectar in Stanhopea saccata labellum. CD’s theory predicts nectar should be present, but afraid there is none.
Finds no trace of nectar in Stanhopea saccata.
Fancies articles on "The queen bee" and "Drone influence" [J. Hortic. 8 October 1861, p. 39] may be of interest. Since writing the latter, one of his drones hybridised a queen at a distance of a mile and a half.
Notes several cases of "dioecio-dimorphism" in different genera; feels the discovery of pollen that will act only on the pistil of another flower is most important. Believes CD should next turn his attention to investigating cases of "precocious fertilisation".
Orchid anatomy: movement in Mormodes column.
Thanks AG for notes on hollies.
Replies to an argument for design. Feels it monstrous to consider orchids created as they are now seen, since every part reveals modification on modification.
Asks whether WED has signed the articles of partnership in the bank.
Has been working at orchid drawings with G. B. Sowerby, Jr.
Orchid anatomy. Catasetum exemplifies slight modification of structure leading to new structure.
Would like to quote JR on the trigger mechanism of Catasetum in Orchids
Orchid anatomy. Wind as agent of self-fertilisation in orchids.
Discusses business matters relating to WED and the bank.
Orchid anatomy. Movements of labellum.
Repeating Gärtner’s experiment with Verbascum varieties.
