To Thomas Rivers [9 May 1863]
Summary
Doubts the fruit will stick on his Chinese double peach and asks TR to send him a couple when ripe.
Would like to grow seeds of the "curious monstrosity" of a wall-flower, to see whether the monstrosity is hereditary.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | [9 May 1863] |
Classmark: | DAR 185: 84 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4150 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … couple when ripe. Would like to grow seeds of the "curious monstrosity" of a wall-flower, …
- … to see whether the monstrosity is hereditary. …
- … grow the seeds & see if so curious a monstrosity is hereditary. — My dear Sir | Yours very …
- … in the shell. — That was a curious monstrosity sent of the Wall-flower; the stamens seem …
To M. T. Masters 13 April [1860]
Summary
Discusses crosses in sweetpeas and the difference between monstrosities and slight variations. Discusses peloric flowers.
Thanks for correction about furze.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Maxwell Tylden Masters |
Date: | 13 Apr [1860] |
Classmark: | DAR 146 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2759 |
Matches: 6 hits
- … in sweetpeas and the difference between monstrosities and slight variations. Discusses …
- … no definition can be drawn between monstrosities and slight variations (such as my theory …
- … Some facts lead me to think that monstrosities supervene generally at an early age; and …
- … result from the natural selection of monstrosities. You cannot do me a greater service …
- … I sincerely hope that your work on monstrosities will soon appear, for I am sure it will …
- … or retrogression in organisation in monstrosities of the Compositæ &c. do you not find it …
To G. E. Dobson 12 April 1878
Summary
Monstrosity of fuchsia sent by GD not uncommon.
Does not recall bats at Galapagos.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Edward Dobson |
Date: | 12 Apr 1878 |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11473 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … Monstrosity of fuchsia sent by GD not uncommon. Does not recall bats at Galapagos. …
- … April 12 th 1878 Dear D r . Dobson. The monstrosity of Fuchsia, which you have been so …
To Camille Dareste 20 November 1869
Summary
Glad Dareste is candidate for Paris Chair. No subject more important than modification of structure by direct action of changed conditions, and Dareste has thrown much light on subject. Believes monstrosities cannot be separated from slighter variations.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Gabriel-Madeleine-Camille (Camille) Dareste |
Date: | 20 Nov 1869 |
Classmark: | DAR 143: 369 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7001 |
Matches: 3 hits
- … has thrown much light on subject. Believes monstrosities cannot be separated from slighter …
- … S t . Hilaire long ago remarked, monstrosities cannot be separated by any distinct line …
- … investigations on the production of monstrosities as full of interest. No subject is at …
To George Maw 4 June [1865]
Summary
Believes GM’s reported monstrosity is not rare. Does not believe it resulted from the effect of the imagination of the mother on her offspring.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | George Maw |
Date: | 4 June [1865] |
Classmark: | Royal Horticultural Society, Lindley Library (MAW/1/12) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4853 |
Matches: 3 hits
- … Believes GM’s reported monstrosity is not rare. Does not believe it resulted from the …
- … Kent. S.E. June 4 My dear Sir The monstrosity of a proboscis-like prolongation of the …
- … had written about a case of animal monstrosity in his letter of 1 June 1865 . CD refers to …
To R. F. Albrecht 16 October [1871]
Summary
Thanks RFA for extracts.
Does not believe resemblances can be produced as RFA suggests, but would not deny that a strong mental shock may cause arrest of embryonic development and thus give rise to monstrosities.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | R. F. Albrecht |
Date: | 16 Oct [1871] |
Classmark: | Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig, Sondersammlungen (Sammlung Nebauer) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8014 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … the embryo & thus induce various monstrosities. With my thanks | I beg leave to remain | …
- … shock may cause arrest of embryonic development and thus give rise to monstrosities. …
To Raphael Meldola 13 August [1873]
Summary
Thanks RM for his paper on mimicry.
Cannot answer RM’s query because he believes it impossible to define large variations.
Believes monstrosities are generally injurious and are not often, if ever, taken advantage of in nature.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Raphael Meldola |
Date: | 13 Aug [1873] |
Classmark: | Oxford University Museum of Natural History (Hope Entomological Collections 1350: Hope/Westwood Archive, Darwin folder) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9006 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … to define large variations. Believes monstrosities are generally injurious and are not …
- … a large variation. Such graduate into monstrosities or generally injurious variations. I …
To J. D. Hooker 18 March [1862]
Summary
On effect of external conditions: CD thinks all variability due to changes in conditions of life because there is more variability under unnatural domestic conditions than under nature, and changed conditions affect the reproductive organs. But why one seedling out of thousands presents some new character transcends the wildest powers of conjecture.
Not shaken by "saltus" – he had examined all cases of normal structure resembling monstrosities which appear per saltum. Has fought his tendency to attribute too much to natural selection; perhaps he has too much conquered it.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | 18 Mar [1862] |
Classmark: | DAR 115: 145 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3479 |
Matches: 3 hits
- … cases of normal structure resembling monstrosities which appear per saltum . Has fought …
- … there is more variability & more monstrosities (& these graduate into each other) under …
- … of normal structure in animals resembling monstrosities which appear per saltus. — I saw …
To John Murray 2 November [1867]
Summary
Dallas’ index [for Variation] well done but rather too full.
A hybrid from an ass and a bull is utterly incredible.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 2 Nov [1867] |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 176–177) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-5667 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … explanation has generally been a slight monstrosity. My dear Sir | yours very sincerely | …
To ? 21 August [1862]
Summary
Thanks for monstrous floral specimen, but it is a common one.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Unidentified |
Date: | 21 Aug [1862] |
Classmark: | Lawrences Auctioneers (dealers) (2009) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3693F |
Matches: 2 hits
- … sender evidently speculated that a dramatic monstrosity could engender a new species; CD, …
- … until it was quite withered; but the monstrosity is a common one. I should not expect this …
To Asa Gray 11 August [1860]
Summary
Agassiz is strongly opposed to Origin, but CD thinks K. E. von Baer may come out in support.
Discusses the possibility of favourable monstrosities in the light of Theophilus Parsons’ essay ["On the origin of species", Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 30 (1860): 1–13].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Asa Gray |
Date: | 11 Aug [1860] |
Classmark: | Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (35) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2896 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … Discusses the possibility of favourable monstrosities in the light of Theophilus Parsons’ …
- … much on chance of favourable monstrosities (ie great & sudden variations) arising. I have, …
To Asa Gray 31 May [1863]
Summary
AG’s review of Alphonse de Candolle’s paper [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 35 (1863): 430–44] is excellent.
Does not AG consider that orchids oppose Oswald Heer’s view that species arise suddenly by monstrosities?
Infers that AG cannot explain the angles of phyllotaxy; has been looking at Carl Nägeli on the subject.
Reports Gaston de Saporta’s belief that natural selection will ultimately triumph in France.
Is working slowly at Variation.
Reports his observations on the imperfect flowers of Viola and Oxalis.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Asa Gray |
Date: | 31 May [1863] |
Classmark: | Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (84) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4196 |
Matches: 3 hits
- … s view that species arise suddenly by monstrosities? Infers that AG cannot explain the …
- … s view of species arising suddenly by monstrosities: it is impossible to imagine so many …
- … change, and the production of monstrosities, were causal factors in the production of new …
To Charles Lyell 18 [and 19 February 1860]
Summary
Encloses reviews by Asa Gray and Bronn. Comments on Bronn review. Mentions review by Wollaston.
Comments on paper by W. H. Harvey in Gardeners’ Chronicle [(1860): 145–6]. Discusses Harvey’s belief in the permanence of monsters.
Discusses CL’s objection that still-living primitive forms failed to develop.
The survival of Lepidosiren and other primitive types of fish and mammals.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Date: | 18 and 19 Feb 1860 |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.199) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2703 |
Matches: 3 hits
- … p. 353). CD discussed his belief that monstrosities could not give rise to new specific …
- … by doubting , because all cases of monstrosities which resemble normal structures, which I …
- … supposes) of the seedlings inherited his monstrosity natural selection would be necessary …
To Thomas Whitelegge 28 April 1878
Summary
Has not studied Geum, but suppression of one sex is not rare in plants.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Whitelegge |
Date: | 28 Apr 1878 |
Classmark: | Mitchell Library, Sydney (MLMSS 5833) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-11486 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … studied the genus Geum or attended to monstrosities or sudden deviations of structure. I …
To M. T. Masters 25 April [1860]
Summary
Glad to hear of MTM’s papers [? "On a peloria and semidouble flower of Ophrys aranifera, Huds.", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 8 (1865): 207–11 and "Observations on the morphology and anatomy of the genus Restio, Linn.", J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 8 (1865): 211–55].
CD doubts the value, for origin of species, of parallels between peloria in "distinct groups".
Gärtner proved the stigma can select its own pollen from a mixture of foreign pollens. But much evidence shows varieties of same species are prepotent over a plant’s own pollen.
MTM’s father [William] believes that variation goes on for a long time once it has commenced.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Maxwell Tylden Masters |
Date: | 25 Apr [1860] |
Classmark: | Shrewsbury School Archives (SR/Darwin box 1) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4818 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … work on prolification, a type of floral monstrosity; two of these papers were published in …
- … 24 July [1862] and n. 4). Since many monstrosities resembled other species in distinct …
To Charles Lyell 23 February [1860]
Summary
Gradation in the eye.
Hooker intends to reply [to W. H. Harvey’s article in Gard. Chron. (1860): 145–6].
Discusses Aspicarpa with respect to correlation.
Comments on monstrous animals.
Discusses objections of Bronn and Asa Gray to natural selection. Cites parallel between natural selection and Newton’s concept of gravitation.
Mentions German experiments on spontaneous generation.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Date: | 23 Feb [1860] |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.200) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2707 |
Matches: 2 hits
- … You ask, ( I see) why we do not have monstrosities in higher animals; but when they live …
- … recently published a letter about monstrosities ( Gardeners’ Chronicle and Agricultural …
To H. Ramu 13 September 1871
Summary
Obliged for letter about appendages on faces of goats.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | H Ramu |
Date: | 13 Sept 1871 |
Classmark: | DAR 147: 290 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-7941 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … of the external ear, as the reduplication of organs is a common form of monstrosity. …
To J. D. Hooker 13 January 1869
Summary
Sends MS of 13 pages in answer to Nägeli, for new edition of Origin [5th ed., p. 151].
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | 13 Jan 1869 |
Classmark: | DAR 94: 110–11 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6550 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Maxwell Tylden. 1856. Note on a monstrosity of the flowers of Saponaria officinalis , L. [ …
To H. C. Watson [17 July 1861]
Summary
Difficulty of distinguishing varieties and species. Did HCW suggest a printed list that might help?
Polymorphic genera.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Hewett Cottrell Watson |
Date: | [17 July 1861] |
Classmark: | DAR 185: 49 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1616 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … the frequency. — Forms such as albinoes or monstrosities not apparently propagated to be …
To John Scott 16 February [1863]
Summary
Tells JS Acropera capsule should be left to grow.
JS was correct on "bud-variation" in fern frond.
Does not believe Primula structure necessarily related to dioecism, but the difference in fertility of the two forms forced him to admit the possibility.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Scott |
Date: | 16 Feb [1863] |
Classmark: | DAR 93: B55, B81–2 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3991 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … of the venation in the reproduction of monstrosities among ferns. Annals and Magazine of …
letter | (39) |
Hooker, J. D. | (5) |
Gray, Asa | (3) |
Lyell, Charles | (3) |
Masters, M. T. | (3) |
Anderson Henry, Isaac | (2) |
Darwin, C. R. | (39) |
Hooker, J. D. | (5) |
Gray, Asa | (3) |
Lyell, Charles | (3) |
Masters, M. T. | (3) |
![](https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/sidebar_teaser/public/OWEN-R-01-03629.jpg?itok=_0SbvQpg)
Darwin and Design
Summary
At the beginning of the nineteenth century in Britain, religion and the sciences were generally thought to be in harmony. The study of God’s word in the Bible, and of his works in nature, were considered to be part of the same truth. One version of this…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Buckland remarked that the animal was an ‘apparent monstrosity of external form’. But he argued that …
Satire of FitzRoy's Narrative of the Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle, by John Clunies Ross. Transcription by Katharine Anderson
Summary
[f.146r Title page] Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle Supplement / to the 2nd 3rd and Appendix Volumes of the First / Edition Written / for and in the name of the Author of those / Volumes By J.C. Ross. / Sometime Master of a…
Matches: 1 hits
- … I saw “ravenous monsters of Sharks” – their monstrosity consisting in their having two terrible …
![](https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/sidebar_teaser/public/GRAY-A-01-01957.jpg?itok=Q-wiC2me)
Review: The Origin of Species
Summary
- by Asa Gray THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES BY MEANS OF NATURAL SELECTION (American Journal of Science and Arts, March, 1860) This book is already exciting much attention. Two American editions are announced, through which it will become familiar to many…
Matches: 1 hits
- … detriment of its native vigor, or to the extent of practical monstrosity, although we secure forms …
Darwin in letters, 1877: Flowers and honours
Summary
Ever since the publication of Expression, Darwin’s research had centred firmly on botany. The year 1877 was no exception. The spring and early summer were spent completing Forms of flowers, his fifth book on a botanical topic. He then turned to the…
Matches: 1 hits
- … mother, the subjects of Siebold’s study of medical monstrosity ( letter from C. T. E. Siebold, 10 …