From Edward Bartlett 20 September 1871
Zoological | Society | Of | London
Sept 20. 71.
Dear Sir,
I have examined a number of the Geese in the Gardens and find they vary in structure of lamellæ.1
The Egyptian goose Chenalopex ægypticus as the lamellæ well developed on both mandables, and uses the bill in the water like a duck, by throwing the water out at the corners.2
The Black and White goose, Anseranus melanoleuca, of Australia3 and the Spur winged goose (Plectropterus Gambensis, West Africa, have merely the smooth rigdes inside the mouth of the upper mandable and very slight points on the lower rigde, I cannot say if these birds use the bill like the duck but will ascertain, this later bird as less lamellæ than the former of these two.
The Chleöphaga melanoptera or Andian goose, as very slight lamellæ like the Barnacle, Ruddy Headed, and Canadian and this genus,4
I will forward to you some skins for examination, and the price I will put as low as possible so that you will be able to select any of the specimens you may think proper
I am | Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Edward. Bartlett
C Darwin Esq
E Bartlett | 70 Delancey Street | Regents Park | N.W.
CD annotations
Footnotes
Bibliography
Origin 6th ed.: The origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. 6th edition, with additions and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.
Summary
Reports on variations in the development of lamellae and how the bills are used in several kinds of geese. Will send skins for examination.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-7954
- From
- Edward Bartlett
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Zoological Society
- Source of text
- DAR 160: 49
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp †
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 7954,” accessed on 19 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-7954.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 19