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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.
FM’s new position in Rio.
CD interested in nature of surface deposits at Rio.
Sends a copy of Cross and self-fertilisation.
Has examined the specimens of Boronia pinnata. No evidence of two distinct bodies of individuals.
Asks whether extra-American species of Aegiphila are heterostyled.
CD is glad to propose FMB for Royal Society. Explains information and certificates needed.
Believes Aegiphila to be exclusively American.
Contrasts fertilisation of Australian Acacia with Brazilian Mimosa.
Complains at Albert Günther’s imputations against Charles Wyville Thomson [as a result of the dispute between Thomson and the British Museum, regarding the disposal of the specimens from the Challenger].
Responds to CD’s new work [Cross and self-fertilisation]. Suggests results might have been more convincing if CD had measured weights instead of heights. The fact that infertile hybrids have not been produced means that the "one great objection" has not been got rid of: the physiological characteristic of species. Suggests an experiment to produce "sterile mongrels" which would remove objection.
Michael Foster approves of names FMB suggested CD apply to [in proposing FMB to the Royal Society] and adds George Allman, Foster, W. H. Flower, and P. M. Duncan, the only biologists on the Council.
Lists his chief publications and suggests names of biologists in the Royal Society whom CD might ask to sign his nomination certificate.
Corrects Descent [1: 294] on inheritance of tortoise-shell colour in cats. It does not violate rule that characters appearing late in one sex are transmitted exclusively to the same sex.
JDH has sent a short-styled Forsythia from Kew. CD surmises that all Forsythia at Kew may be short-styled, hence he is curious to know whether they set seed.
CD is eager for further information about Lagerstroemia, which is sterile with its own pollen. Does the collection of dried plants reveal more than one form? Plans to republish papers on dimorphism.
Thanks SS for present of Life of a Scotch naturalist [1876]. Has read every one of his biographies with "extreme pleasure".
Thanks for Cross and self-fertilisation.
Discusses geographical implications of inbreeding. Can the length of time an insular flora has been isolated be estimated by its weakness due to inbreeding?
Sends a passage relevant to Pangenesis [on regional accents distinguishable in the speech of those born deaf] from Life, letters, and journals of George Ticknor [ed. G. S. Hillard, vol. 1 (1876)], p. 196.
Tells of the controversy about evolution raging in Dunedin, with clergy playing a prominent part.
His long experience with propagation of Cytisus and other "sports".
Discusses further his theory relating to the soaring capacity of birds.
Mentions hybrids produced by various crossings of game-birds.
Has written via John Murray to thank for SS’s biography of Thomas Edward (Smiles 1876).
Is happy to sign a memorial concerning a Civil List pension for Thomas Edward.
Thanks for copy of Cross and self-fertilisation.
Francis Darwin’s observation of nectaries in Pteris is most curious.
Doubts cross-fertilisation in the rare cases of two flowers on the same stalk in Victoria and Euryale.
Notes variation in style and stamen length in Forsythia.
Is engaged in translating Hermann Müller’s Befruchtung der Blumen [1873].
Has observed Sphinx moths on Petunia.
