From Charles Lyell 8 September 1860
Summary
Believes CD’s argument against special creation based on absence of terrestrial mammals on islands isolated before Pliocene era is very strong. However, the absence means Cetacea and bats have not modified towards terrestrial existence. There is similar lack of development of bats and rodents in Australia. Constancy among land shells of Madeira over long period shows that the majority of their species are immutable: a minority of "metamorphic" species maintains the overall number of true species while extinction removes many. Emphasis on the role of extinction discomfits CD’s opponents since the power of generation of new species ought to keep pace. Mentions Ammonite deposits with reference to CD’s comments on their apparent sudden extinction [Origin, pp. 321–2]. Perhaps absence of transmutation on slowly subsiding atolls indicates the slow rate of selective change.
Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 8 Sept 1860 |
Classmark: | The University of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections (Lyell collection Coll-203/A3/6: 179–86) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2908A |
To Augustus Addison Gould 3 September [1848]
Summary
Describes his research on cirripedes. Asks to borrow specimens. Comments on previous work on the subject.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Augustus Addison Gould |
Date: | 3 Sept [1848] |
Classmark: | Houghton Library, Harvard University (Augustus A. Gould papers, 1831–66 MS Am 1210: 224) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1200 |
To John Murray 12 April 1874
Summary
Discusses 2d edition of Descent. CD is inclined to a cheap edition and asks JM to consider a one-volume edition in double-column format.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 12 Apr 1874 |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42152 ff. 348–9) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9404 |
To J. D. Hooker [18 April 1847]
Summary
Thanks for H. C. Watson’s interesting letter. Disagrees with him on intermediate varieties.
CD has read latest numbers of JDH’s The botany of the Antarctic voyage [pt I, Flora Antarctica (1844–7)]; notes several sentences against "us Transmutationists".
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | [18 Apr 1847] |
Classmark: | DAR 114: 86 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1082 |
Matches: 1 hit
- … Darwin, 6 January 1826 , and Autobiography , p. 47. Hooker set out on 17 April for a two-week visit to Cambridge. CD’s letter, addressed to Kew, was redirected to Hooker, ‘care of C. C. Babington, Esq r e. | S t . John’s College | Cambridge’. See letter to Robert Chambers, [28 February 1847] , and letter to Charles Lyell, [ …
From Whitwell Elwin to John Murray 3 May 1859
Summary
Charles Lyell has asked WE to pass his opinions on the MS of Origin to CD via Murray. WE is convinced of the value of CD’s researches but "to put forth the theory without the evidence", as in the MS, "would do grievous injustice to his views". The omission of these facts reduces both the philosophical and popular value of the work, by virtue of its dryness.
Supports Charles Lyell’s suggestion that CD should first publish his observations on pigeons with a theoretical outline, for "[e]very body is interested in pigeons". Such a work would generate wider interest and be better understood. A subsequent, larger book would then be approached with impartiality "not to say favour" by a wider public.
Author: | Whitwell Elwin |
Addressee: | John Murray |
Date: | 3 May 1859 |
Classmark: | National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms. 42197) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2457A |
From C. G. Ehrenberg 8 April 1845
Summary
Discusses table of Atlantic dust samples. Thinks dust came from South America.
Discusses Patagonian tuff samples.
Answers CD’s query about material from Pampas. Believes deposit made in brackish water.
Criticises account of Atlantic dust in F. J. F. Meyen [Reise um die Erde (1834–5)].
Author: | Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 8 Apr 1845 |
Classmark: | DAR 39: 60–1b |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-853 |
letter | (6) |
Darwin, C. R. | (3) |
Ehrenberg, C. G. | (1) |
Elwin, Whitwell | (1) |
Lyell, Charles | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (2) |
Murray, John (b) | (2) |
Gould, A. A. | (1) |
Hooker, J. D. | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (5) |
Murray, John (b) | (2) |
Ehrenberg, C. G. | (1) |
Elwin, Whitwell | (1) |
Gould, A. A. | (1) |