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From Albin Gaertner1   27 May 1879

Wien,

27. Mai, 1879.

Hochverehrter Herr!

Nachdem ich die meisten Ihrer Werke in deutscher Übersetzung gelesen, war mir eine ganz neue Welt erstanden.2 Heute wage ich es in die Zahl Ihrer Correspondenten zu treten und ein Beispiel von Vererbung mitzuteilen.

Der Wiener Advokat Dr. Mikosch hat in hohem Maasse die Unart die Fingernägel zu beissen. Er kann sie auf keine Weise ablegen. Seine noch lebende Mutter kaut ebenfalls an den Nägeln herum, aber nicht so häufig. Wie diese erzählt hatte ihr verstorbener Vater dieselbe Unart bis zum Tode in hohem Grade besessen. Das Interessanteste aber ist, dass das Kind des Advocaten, ein Mädchen, im Alter von 9 Monaten bereits an den Fingerspitzen in einem fort herumnagte, so dass der Arzt zu Rate gezogen wurde und niemand zweifelt, dass diese Unart vererbt worden ist und sehr schwer abzulegen sein wird.3

In der Hoffnung, dass diese Notiz auch Ihr Interesse erregt, | verharre ich mit Ehrfurcht | als Ihr ergebenster Diener | Dr Albin Gaertner

Wien, I. Nibelungeng, No 1, 4. Stiege

CD annotations

Verso: ‘This contains rather curious account of strong tendency to bite nails for 4. generations. | C. Darwin | May 31st—’ ink
1
For a translation of this letter, see Appendix I.
2
Most of CD’s works were translated into German soon after they appeared in English; CD’s German publisher, Eduard Koch, the head of E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, had also decided to bring out a collected edition of CD’s works, translated by Julius Victor Carus (see Correspondence vol. 23, letter from J. V. Carus, 5 February 1875).
3
Ignaz Mikosch. CD had discussed inherited habits in Variation, Descent, and Expression.

From Albin Gaertner1   27 May 1879

Vienna,

27. May, 1879.

Highly honoured Sir!

After I read most of your works in German translation, a whole new world arose before me.2 Today I dare to enter the ranks of your correspondents and relate to you an example of inheritance.

The Viennese lawyer Dr. Mikosch has the most appalling bad habit of fingernail biting. He is absolutely unable to give it up. His mother who is still living also chews her nails, but not so frequently. Both had reported that her dead father also had the same bad habit to a severe degree right up until his death. The most interesting thing, however, is that the lawyer’s child, a girl of 9 months, already nibbles on her fingertips, so that their doctor had to be consulted and no one doubts that this bad habit is inherited and will be very difficult to break.3

Hoping that this report has aroused your interest, | I remain with respect | your devoted servant | Dr Albin Gaertner

Vienna, I. Nibelungeng, No 1, Staircase 4.

1
For a transcription of this letter in its original German, see Transcript.
2
Most of CD’s works were translated into German soon after they appeared in English; CD’s German publisher, Eduard Koch, the head of E. Schweizerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, had also decided to bring out a collected edition of CD’s works, translated by Julius Victor Carus (see Correspondence vol. 23, letter from J. V. Carus, 5 February 1875).
3
Ignaz Mikosch. CD had discussed inherited habits in Variation, Descent, and Expression.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-12064,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-12064