MS of a paper called "Comments on Mr Darwin’s grand theory", which generally supports CD but proposes that present flightless birds are primitive. Paper supplemented by a diagram showing the phylogeny of birds.
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MS of a paper called "Comments on Mr Darwin’s grand theory", which generally supports CD but proposes that present flightless birds are primitive. Paper supplemented by a diagram showing the phylogeny of birds.
Examples of animals that dwell in dark places, some of which are blind, some not. Asks: where causes are the same, why is not the effect? Does not think disuse is the answer, but arrested development.
Comments also on the absence of a ligament in four mammals and asks how natural selection accounts for this.
Responds to CD’s queries concerning faults; is sending sections of the kind he wants. The Merionethshire fault with a downthrow of 12000ft. [See Origin, p. 285.]
Thanks JSH for specimens. Comments on the structure of a hornet comb and asks JSH to obtain some fresh combs for him and to make observations for him. He is greatly interested in "these wondrous architectural instincts".
Will secure information on indigenous and naturalised bees as CD requests.
Believes Mexican and Jamaican Melipona are different.
Regrets SC’s increasing deafness, but advises that aurists are humbugs.
Tells of illnesses in family and his own poor health. "I never know 24 hours comfort."
At work on abstract.
Continues argument on effectiveness of dispersal. Has doubts about relationship of isolation to highness of Australian flora. Questions about survival of European plants introduced in Australia.
CD receives the Wollaston Medal of the Geological Society.
Acknowledges the honour that the Council [of the Geological Society] have conferred upon him [award of Wollaston Medal]. Will attend the anniversary meeting if his health permits, but cannot attend the dinner.
Darwin encloses letters from ARW, and expresses admiration for the spirit in which they were written. Darwin thanks Hooker and Lyell for their intervention in the joint reading of ARW and Darwin’s papers at the Linnean Society in 1858. Darwin makes enquiries about the geology of the Himalayas.
Wallace has written and is well satisfied with the joint presentation.
CD requests some facts to make case in his abstract for former glacial action in Himalayas.
No summary available.
Relieved by Wallace’s letter.
At work on introductory essay to Flora Tasmaniae.
European plants naturalised in Australia are almost all adapted to invading disturbed ground.
JDH supports Asa Gray against Alphonse de Candolle as foreign member of Royal Society.
Hooker is “relieved and pleased” by the letters from ARW that Darwin had forwarded regarding ARW’s reaction to the joint reading of their papers at the Linnean Society in 1858. He discusses his progress on his Australian article. [Hooker, J. D. 1859. On The Flora of Australia: Its Origin, Affinities, and Distribution. In: Botany of the Antarctic Expedition. Part 3: Flora of Tasmania, vol. 1. London: Lovell Reeve.] He discusses potential candidates for the Royal Society’s new Foreign Fellow.
Expresses pleasure and relief at ARW’s response to joint publication of their pieces about natural selection.
Plans for the "abstract" [Origin].
Birds’ nests as evidence of variation of instincts.
Their collection of bees’ combs.
Praises ARW’s article.
Lyell’s and Hooker’s views [of species issue].
CD not convinced that naturalisation of European plants abroad is strictly dependent on creation by agriculture of disturbed ground.
More than half through his chapter on geographical distribution.
Wants white breeds of poultry.
Poor health necessitates a trip to Moor Park, Farnham.
JL’s brother’s accident.
Thinks JL should tackle systematics of anomalous insects from studies of internal organs.
Is sorry to hear of bad health of CD and his daughter.
Discusses, with an example, the difficulty of explaining structural differences between closely allied species.
His doctor urges CD most strongly not to expose himself to the excitement and fatigue of receiving the [Wollaston] Medal. He will ask Lyell to receive it on his behalf.
CD sees JL’s cases of same organs varying greatly in allied forms as a serious difficulty in regard to his own ideas.