To Robert Scot Skirving 16 November [1861–8]1
Down, Bromley, Kent, S.E.
Nov. 16
My dear Sir
I am sorry to say that I know nothing of the habits of earwigs.2 Mr. Newman3 with whom I am slightly acquainted is I believe a good sort of man, and certainly a good entomologist, and he may be trusted I should think on the point in question. The Forficula or Labia minor is a good flier and excepting in size would not be distinguished from the common earwig.4 It is certainly strange that an insect, having wings, should not fly; but even if this is the truth yet I should not be surprised at the occasional appearance of a flying earwig on the same principle that the bug occasionally has been known to possess wings. In answer to your kind inquiries I am sorry to say that my health still keeps very indifferent.
Believe me my dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin
Footnotes
Bibliography
Linnaeus, Carolus (Carl von Linné). 1758–9. Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. 10th edition. 2 vols. Stockholm: Laurentius Salvius.
Summary
Knows nothing of the habits of earwigs. Thinks Edward Newman may be trusted on the point [as to whether or not earwigs can fly].
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-4673
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Robert Scot Skirving
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 147: 481
- Physical description
- C 1p
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 4673,” accessed on 19 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-4673.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 18 (Supplement)
