Darwin, C. R. to Thompson, William (a)
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Thanks for note on Atlantic dust.
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Suggested in private to Edward Forbes that bird migration might follow lines of now sunken land.
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Has admired WT's work for years.
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Will some day publish on variation.
Summary Add
Transcription
Down Bromley Kent
Feb. 18
Sir
I am much obliged for your kindness in sending me the note on the Atlantic Dust, as in case I ever get many more facts together, I may perhaps publish an additional note.—
With respect to the migration of Birds, it would be a sincere pleasure to me to aid,
even in the smallest degree, one whose writings I have for several years been accustomed
to read with much pleasure & instruction; but I really have nothing to say: I
apprehend Forbes alluded to a mere speculation of mine (not grounded on facts &
therefore quite useless to anyone) that birds probably followed lines of now lost
& sunken land. I merely alluded to this notion of mine, when talking with Forbes
on his views on the distribution of plants on land since subsided.— In some
future year I intend publishing on the variation of plants & animals in the
domestic & natural state, & I shall then (I fear) not be able to refrain
from some speculations on this & allied subjects, but, as I have said, I really
have no facts, or speculations of sufficient importance to be at all worth communicating
in detail.— I am sorry that you sh
I shall look forward with interest to your work containing your observations: I beg to remain, dear Sir | Your faithfull & obed: sevt. | C. Darwin
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- f1 954.f1
Dated on the assumption that Thompson wrote soon after CD's ‘An account of the fine dust which often falls on vessels in the Atlantic Ocean’ was published in February 1846 (Collected papers 1: 199–203). H. C. G. Ross 1979, p. 364, gives the information that the paper is watermarked ‘J. Whatman 1844’.