Darwin, C. R. to Dallas, W. S.
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Suggestions on listing authors in the index [for Variation].
Summary Add
Transcription
Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.
Nov. 8
My dear Sir
On reflection I fear you will find it endless labour to give all author's names in notes. So use your own discretion; anyhow most ought to be introduced. You might omit the word ``note'' in the index, as the searcher has only one page to search; & even a word omitted in index is a gain.— When I had strength & made my own index, I used to give every author's name, but added only 2 or 3 words on the subject on which he treated or species or genus treated of by him; but then I never had such an index to make as this ought to be. But as I said before kindly use your discretion & make a good Index.—
Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin
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- f1 5671.f1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from W. S. Dallas, 4 November 1867. - +
- f2 5671.f2
CD's earlier letter commenting on the index to Variation, which Dallas was preparing, has not been found, but see the letter from W. S. Dallas, 4 November 1867). - +
- f3 5671.f3
Subjects in footnotes and main text are indexed without differentiation in Variation. - +
- f4 5671.f4
A series of brief descriptive entries appears after each personal name in the index of Variation; sometimes names mentioned in the text are not included in the index.