To Alfred Espinas [before 1 July 1877]1
I have now read your work but I have nothing particular to say.2 It seems to be a valuably & very valuable Work & you have been quite indefatigable in acquiring great knowledge from all sources. Every one alluding to the mental power & nature of animals wd be bound to study it— p 5 43 As you hardly admit the principle of evolution we view all subjects from such widely differt points of view, that it is not surprising that we should often differ. Allow me to point out that you have unintentionally misrepresented me at p. 47. I have not discussed the origin of the instinct of domesticity, & have only alluded to them with respect to the question whether the aphides receive any advantage from giving to the ants the sweet secretion.—4 I shd have added defence from enemies
Footnotes
Bibliography
Espinas, Alfred. 1877. Des sociétés animales: étude de psychologie comparée. Paris: Librairie Germer Baillière et Cie.
Marginalia: Charles Darwin’s marginalia. Edited by Mario A. Di Gregorio with the assistance of Nicholas W. Gill. Vol. 1. New York and London: Garland Publishing. 1990.
Origin: On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859.
Summary
As AE hardly admits evolution, they view all subjects differently.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-11027
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Alfred Victor (Alfred) Espinas
- Sent from
- unstated
- Source of text
- Darwin Library–CUL: tipped into Espinas 1877
- Physical description
- ADraft 1p
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 11027,” accessed on 29 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-11027.xml