From G. J. Allman   4 November 1871

15 Campden Hill Road | Kensington,

Nov 4 1871

My dear Sir

I learn from Mr. Busk that you are just now engaged in collecting such new facts as may bear on the origin of specific forms.1 I cannot say that I have any facts to offer you, but some new views which have struck me while recently engaged in the study of graptolites in connexion with their hydroid affinities may interest you. They will appear in the second part of my Monograph on the Tubularian hydroids, but as it will be some time yet before the publication of this tract, I send you some proof sheets in which you will find a statement of the views to which I refer. I have marked in the margin the passages which more especially bear on the question of the descent of our existing hydroids from the ancient graptolites.2

Do not take the trouble to return the proofs but if you have any suggestions which may occur to you on this subject I should be greatly obliged by a line from you

Believe me | very sincerely yours | Geo J. Allman

Ch. Darwin Esq

CD annotations

Top of letter: ‘Answered’ pencil3
1
George Busk had provided CD with information on Polyzoa (now Ectoprocta (bryozoans) and Endoprocta) for the sixth edition of Origin (see letter from George Busk, 10 September 1871).
2
The possible descent of living hydroids from graptolites is discussed in Allman 1871–2, 2: 176–83. Graptolites are now classed in the phylum Hemichordata and thought to be most closely allied to Pterobranchia. The proofs have not been found. As a member of the Ray Society, CD received a copy of the book; it is in the Darwin Library–Down.
3
CD’s reply to Allman has not been found.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-8050,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-8050