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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.
Regrets he cannot hear lecture by F. C. Donders.
Hopes to see WB before he returns home.
Has examined sections of teasel in putrid meat infusion and ammonia.
Comments on FD’s discovery – "if it so proves". It will be important to see whether the protoplasm oozes through the cell-walls [of Dipsacus] or whether it can be withdrawn.
Greatly excited by the astronomical implications of his work.
Anticipates reading Haeckel’s Perigenesis der Plastidule [1876].
Physiologists will think vivisection bill stringent.
Honorary memberships of Physiological Society created expressly to honour CD.
Working hard at jellyfish just now. Needs snake poison.
Thanks MT for her article ["Is the valve of Utricularia sensitive?", Harper’s New Mon. Mag. 52 (1875): 382–7]. Does not understand why he failed to detect movement [in Utricularia], but it appears from her observations that the valve is sensitive.
‘Your mother ought indeed to feel proud that she had two sons such true naturalists as you and your brother [John Jenner Weir].’
Looks to FD’s "grand discovery" as almost certain. Suggests observations.
Has got a dodge to see protoplasm in Drosera in dead state. Comes to Hopedene with Amy tomorrow. his paper went off well.
Further comments on GHD’s work on the influence of geological changes on the earth’s axis.
Frank [Francis Darwin] has made a fine zoological discovery.
Thanks for essay [Philosophische Consequenzen der Lamarck–Darwin’schen Entwicklungstheorie (1876)].
Is determined not to believe in GHD’s astronomical work until J. C. Adams accepts it, for he would be so disappointed if it breaks down.
Joseph Fayrer can supply cobra poison.
Discusses vivisection.
Mentions visit to the John Hawkshaws.
Sends his papers ["Contributions to the natural history of Kerguelen Island", U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 1, nos. 2, 3 (1876)], which are inspired by Journal of researches.
CD has quite given up the marine theory [of Glen Roy] and has accepted glacier lakes. "Nothing makes me gnash my teeth so much as that confounded paper of mine." It is a lesson "never in science to infer one explanation is right because no other one seems possible".
Response to ARW’s "grand and memorable work" [Geographical distribution (1876)]. Most interesting part to CD is ARW’s "protest against sinking imaginary continents".
Requests chemical analysis of sample of both natural and burnt soil.
Sends analysis of burnt and unburnt samples.
Gratitude for the invaluable assistance. Is disappointed that natural soil is richer than burnt. Problem of securing sufficient chemically pure soil to test growth of plants.
References to figures of Coryanthes.