From Albert Gaudry1   11 April 1868

Monsieur,

J’ai reçu votre beau livre sur la variation des animaux et des plantes.2 Quoique je n’aie pas encore achevé sa lecture, je ne veux pas tarder davantage à vous adresser tous mes remerciemens. Cet ouvrage, étant envoyé par vous, a un double prix pour moi. Je le lis lentement, car j’y trouve un grand intérêt et beaucoup de profit; sans doute chaque naturaliste admirera la finesse et la multitude des observations que vous avez su rassembler sur les sujets les plus divers. Le travail sur les pigeons m’a particulièrement frappé; vos recherches originales sur les ossemens de ces animaux me semblent bien prouver les liens étroits qui existent entre les modifications des tissus mous et les modifications des parties dures, les seules malheureusement que d’ordinaire nous possédions à l’état fossile.3 Mr de Mortillet a présenté votre livre à la dernière séance de la Société géologique, et en a fait ressortir toute la portée.4

Veuillez, Monsieur, agréer l’expression de mes sentimens les plus respecteuses | Albert Gaudry.

11 Avril 1868. Paris.

1
For a translation of this letter, see Correspondence vol. 16, Appendix I.
2
The reference is to the first volume of the French edition of Variation (Moulinié trans. 1868). Gaudry’s name appears on CD’s presentation list for the book (see Correspondence vol. 16, Appendix IV).
3
CD discussed pigeon osteology and correlated variation in Variation 1: 162–79.
4
Gaudry refers to Gabriel de Mortillet. There is a note recording the presentation of the French edition of Variation by Mortillet at the 6 April 1868 meeting of the French Geological Society (Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France 2d ser. 25: 594, 597). Mortillet’s essay review of the work appeared in the March 1868 issue of Matériaux pour l’Histoire Primitive et Philosophique de l’Homme (Mortillet 1868).

From Albert Gaudry1   11 April 1868

Dear Sir

I have received your fine book on the variation of animals and plants.2 Although I have not yet finished reading it, I do not want to delay further in sending you all my thanks. Because it was sent by you, this work has a double value for me. I read it slowly because I find a great deal of interest and profit there. Without doubt, every naturalist will admire the skill and the multitude of observations you have been able to assemble on the most diverse subjects. I was particularly struck by the work on pigeons; your original research on the bones of these animals seems to me to prove well the close links that exist between modifications of the soft tissues and modifications of the hard parts, which sadly are the only ones we ordinarily possess in the fossil state.3 Mr de Mortillet presented your book at the last meeting of the Geological Society, and demonstrated its full significance.4

Please accept, dear Sir, my most respectful regards | Albert Gaudry.

11 April 1868. Paris.

1
For a transcription of this letter in its original French, see part I: 392.
2
The reference is to the first volume of the French edition of Variation (Moulinié trans. 1868). Gaudry’s name appears on CD’s presentation list for the book (see Correspondence vol.16, Appendix IV).
3
CD discussed pigeon osteology and correlated variation in Variation 1: 162–79.
4
Gaudry refers to Gabriel de Mortillet. There is a note recording the presentation of the French edition of Variation by Mortillet at the 6 April 1868 meeting of the French Geological Society (Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France 2d ser. 25: 594, 597). Mortillet’s essay review of the work appeared in the March 1868 issue of Matériaux pour l’Histoire Primitive et Philosophique de l’Homme (Mortillet 1868).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-6111,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-6111