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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.
Glad to hear of Ernst Haeckel’s reception in Vienna.
R. Virchow’s address ["Liberty of science", Nature 17 (1877–8): 72–4, 92–4, 111–13] very arrogant.
Sorry to hear of death of Arthur Lane.
On his discovery of ova of Flustra.
"Pray do not call me Dr Darwin."
Thanks for £100; will pay for planting this year’s varieties.
Observations on a sensitive Mimosa.
Comments on structure and positioning of "odoriferous organs" of moths and butterflies,
and feeding habits of butterfly larvae.
Review of Forms of flowers [Nature 17 (1878): 445–7].
It is important that notion of "small antiquity" of the earth be upset.
Sympathises with GJR on dreadful loss [of his sister, Georgina].
Can GJR visit Down?
Onions not yet up.
Encloses some notes on Descent [2d ed.]. Discusses CD’s contention [p. 130] that natural selection could not act to increase altruistic behaviour in man; considers that the benefits conferred upon a person exhibiting such virtues would outweigh the threat to survival that such behaviour would pose.
Thanks for letter of sympathy.
Would like to visit in May.
Asks whether WHF has had time to look at goose’s wing.
Sends CD two specimens of Fuchsia monstrosities.
He is writing on the geographical distribution of Cheiroptera and can find no information on presence or absence of bats in the Galapagos. Did CD see any there?
Monstrosity of fuchsia sent by GD not uncommon.
Does not recall bats at Galapagos.
Bones in goose’s wing perfectly normal. Malformation probably due to want of balance in muscles; analogous to club-foot. Injury of the parent not reproduced in offspring, but may have led to disturbance in functions of nerves which control muscles. Would like further study.
Will ask Blair for more [goose] wing specimens.
Asks whether CD wishes to join other old "Beagles" in supporting an orphan grandson of Jemmy Button.
Encloses report by W. H. Flower on goose’s wing.
Asks RAB to obtain wings from young birds and broken wing from old one. Asks about details of injury.
Regrets that GJR was passed over for membership in Royal Society. Discusses criteria applied by Council.
Points out evolutionary comments by Alexander Braun in his Betrachtungen über die Erscheinung der Verjüngung in der Natur 1849–50.
Would like to have some insect photographs identified; they seem to show pretty and new case of protective resemblance.
Doesn’t know anything about the insects in question, but has sent the photographs on to an expert in London.