From H. M. W. Baynes 30 January 1882
Rose Cottage, | The Vale: | Hampstead. N.W.
30th. Jany. 1882.
Dear Sir,
May I venture to tell you of a remarkable case of inheritance manifested in early infancy?
As a youth I had, for a long time, a trick of putting my thumb between the first & second fingers of the right hand, generally whilst reading, but more or less upon all occasions.
Our baby, which was born on the 24th. May last year, was noticed by his mother,1 as early as the beginning of August, to place & keep the right thumb between the same fingers of the right hand. This he has frequently done since.
Is not this a clear case of instinctive predisposition manifested in visible action?2
With the profoundest respect for your scientific achievements, | Believe me, Dear Sir, | Yours very sincerely | Herbert: Morton: Baynes
Charles Darwin Esq. F.R.S. etc.
Footnotes
Bibliography
Expression: The expression of the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.
Variation: The variation of animals and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868.
Summary
Reports remarkable case of inheritance of one of his habits by his infant son.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-13651
- From
- Herbert Morton Walker Baynes
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Hampstead
- Source of text
- DAR 160: 99
- Physical description
- ALS 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 13651,” accessed on
