To Charles Lyell   5 [October 1860]

My dear Lyell

I have two notes to thank you for, & I return Wollaston’s.¹ It has always seemed to me rather strange that Forbes, Wollaston & Co, should argue from presence of allied & not identical species in islands for former continuity of land.² They argue I suppose from the species being allied in different regions of the same continent, though specifically distinct. But I think one might on the creation doctrine argue with equal force in directly reverse manner; & say that as species are so often markedly distinct yet allied on islands, all our continents existed as islands first, & their inhabitants were first created on these islands, & since became mingled together so as not to be so distinct as they now generally are on Islands.

The subject of Bats is washed out of my head: I got M^r Mason³ to collect in Madeira & the species turned out to be European: I cannot remember about Palma; but I gave all to M^r Tomes of Welford⁴ & he could tell you: I know not where to look amongst my notes; it would be an awful hunt for me. I failed to get the Azores species.—

I had heard nothing of the sales of “Origin” for months, & am much pleased to hear that the sale continues; this surprises me.—

I have never received back the 2^d. or August Atlantic Article;⁵ perhaps you sent it to Down. I had three copies; one gone to Annals; one at home marked; & the third was meant for Pictet according to promise to A. Gray;⁶ but it cannot be helped if lost; I think pamphets are sometimes lost by Post.—

You have, also, the Theological Dialogue out of Silliman’s Journal;⁷ I sh^d. be sorry if that is lost, as I have no other copy: it was sent with the October Atlantic number.— ⁸

Falconer is hard upon Isidore Geoffroy, as I do not suppose anyone, except F. himself has the facts correct.— ⁹ When I get home I will look about St. Helena: it was this passage that I believe I remembered. I cannot conceive how he can conjecture about number of plants exterminated. The island was woody in comparatively late periods: see my Journal for some facts.—¹⁰

My fun with Drosera is getting rather poor fun; for my experiments are getting all perverse & crooked; & yet I cannot stop & am wasting time shamefully.—

Ever yours affect | C. Darwin

Etty still, we think, gains a little strength.

Do you know that Bronn has Chapt. of objections at end of his Translation;¹¹ Miss Ludwig has translated it for me;¹² & I could lend Translation, if you cared to see it.—