To Archibald Geikie 27 February [1861]1
Down Bromley Kent
Feb. 27th
Dear Sir
You cannot know how much your note has pleased me.2 I am naturally, & I hope not only selfishly, deeply interested in the progress of opinion on the mutability of species. I have long been convinced that species will be held to be all aboriginal creations as long as the geological record is looked at as nearly perfect.3 Therefore you may believe with what high satisfaction I have read the remarks of one, who like yourself has large & practical knowledge of geology.4
He who can shake the general belief that we should be able to trace the mutation of species in our formations, if they (ie species) have changed, will I believe do high service to natural science; & this will be in your power.—
Again let me thank you for your note; though I was far from expecting that anyone would thank me for so trifling a present.—5
I have just finished correcting a new Edit. of the Origin with some additions, & I will do myself the pleasure of telling my Publisher to send you a copy, as soon as it is out.—6
Pray believe me | Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | Charles Darwin
Footnotes
Summary
CD expresses his gratification that a geologist of AG’s standing and influence subscribes to the idea of the mutability of species.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-3073F
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Archibald Geikie
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 185: 131
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 3073F,” accessed on
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 13 (Supplement)
