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diff --git a/2740-h/2740-h.htm b/2740-h/2740-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3f5f8df --- /dev/null +++ b/2740-h/2740-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,28222 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + More Letters of Charles Darwin, Volume II by Charles Darwin + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II, by +Charles Darwin + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II + Volume II (of II) + +Author: Charles Darwin + +Editor: Francis Darwin and A.C. Seward + +Release Date: December 1, 2008 [EBook #2740] +Last Updated: January 22, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORE LETTERS OF CHARLES DARWIN *** + + + + +Produced by Sue Asscher, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + MORE LETTERS OF CHARLES DARWIN, VOLUME II + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Charles Darwin + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h4> + A RECORD OF HIS WORK IN A SERIES OF HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED LETTERS <br /><br /> + EDITED BY FRANCIS DARWIN, FELLOW OF CHRIST'S COLLEGE, <br /> AND A.C. + SEWARD, FELLOW OF EMMANUEL COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE <br /><br /><br /> IN TWO + VOLUMES + </h4> + <div class="mynote"> + <p> + Transcriber's Notes: + </p> + <p> + All biographical footnotes of both volumes appear at the end of Volume + II. + </p> + <p> + All other notes by Charles Darwin's editors appear in the text, in + brackets () with a Chapter/Note or Letter/Note number. + </p> + <br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> VOLUME II. DEDICATED WITH AFFECTION AND RESPECT, TO SIR JOSEPH + HOOKER IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP WITH CHARLES DARWIN "You + will never know how much I owe to you for your constant kindness and + encouragement" CHARLES DARWIN TO SIR JOSEPH HOOKER, SEPTEMBER 14, 1862 + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" border="3" cellpadding="4"> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td> + <a + href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2739/2739-h/2739-h.htm">Previous + Volume</a> + </td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> MORE LETTERS OF CHARLES DARWIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> VOLUME II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER 2.VII.—GEOGRAPHICAL + DISTRIBUTION. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2.VIII.—MAN. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER 2.IX. GEOLOGY, 1840-1882. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER 2.X.—BOTANY, 1843-1871. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER 2.XI.—BOTANY, 1863-1881. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER 2.XII. </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + MORE LETTERS OF CHARLES DARWIN + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VOLUME II + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2.VII.—GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. + </h2> + <h3> + 1843-1882 (Continued) (1867-1882.) + </h3> + <p> + LETTER 378. J.D. HOOKER TO CHARLES DARWIN. Kew, January 20th, 1867. + </p> + <p> + Prof. Miquel, of Utrecht, begs me to ask you for your carte, and offers + his in return. I grieve to bother you on such a subject. I am sick and + tired of this carte correspondence. I cannot conceive what Humboldt's + Pyrenean violet is: no such is mentioned in Webb, and no alpine one at + all. I am sorry I forgot to mention the stronger African affinity of the + eastern Canary Islands. Thank you for mentioning it. I cannot admit, + without further analysis, that most of the peculiar Atlantic Islands + genera were derived from Europe, and have since become extinct there. I + have rather thought that many are only altered forms of existing European + genera; but this is a very difficult point, and would require a careful + study of such genera and allies with this object in view. The subject has + often presented itself to me as a grand one for analytic botany. No doubt + its establishment would account for the community of the peculiar genera + on the several groups and islets, but whilst so many species are common we + must allow for a good deal of migration of peculiar genera too. + </p> + <p> + By Jove! I will write out next mail to the Governor of St. Helena for + boxes of earth, and you shall have them to grow. Thanks for telling me of + having suggested to me the working out of proportions of plants with + irregular flowers in islands. I thought it was a deuced deal too good an + idea to have arisen spontaneously in my block, though I did not recollect + your having done so. No doubt your suggestion was crystallised in some + corner of my sensorium. I should like to work out the point. + </p> + <p> + Have you Kerguelen Land amongst your volcanic islands? I have a curious + book of a sealer who was wrecked on the island, and who mentions a + volcanic mountain and hot springs at the S.W. end; it is called the "Wreck + of the Favourite." (378/1. "Narrative of the Wreck of the 'Favourite' on + the Island of Desolation; detailing the Adventures, Sufferings and + Privations of John Munn; an Historical Account of the Island and its Whale + and Sea Fisheries." Edited by W.B. Clarke: London, 1850.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 379. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, March 17th, 1867. + </p> + <p> + It is a long time since I have written, but I cannot boast that I have + refrained from charity towards you, but from having lots of work...You ask + what I have been doing. Nothing but blackening proofs with corrections. I + do not believe any man in England naturally writes so vile a style as I + do... + </p> + <p> + In your paper on "Insular Floras" (page 9) there is what I must think an + error, which I before pointed out to you: viz., you say that the plants + which are wholly distinct from those of nearest continent are often very + common instead of very rare. (379/1. "Insular Floras," pamphlet reprinted + from the "Gardeners' Chronicle," page 9: "As a general rule the species of + the mother continent are proportionally the most abundant, and cover the + greatest surface of the islands. The peculiar species are rarer, the + peculiar genera of continental affinity are rarer still; whilst the plants + having no affinity with those of the mother continent are often very + common." In a letter of March 20th, 1867, Sir Joseph explains that in the + case of the Atlantic islands it is the "peculiar genera of EUROPEAN + AFFINITY that are so rare," while Clethra, Dracaena and the Laurels, which + have no European affinity, are common.) Etty (379/2. Mr. Darwin's + daughter, now Mrs. Litchfield.), who has read your paper with great + interest, was confounded by this sentence. By the way, I have stumbled on + two old notes: one, that twenty-two species of European birds occasionally + arrive as chance wanderers to the Azores; and, secondly, that trunks of + American trees have been known to be washed on the shores of the Canary + Islands by the Gulf-stream, which returns southward from the Azores. What + poor papers those of A. Murray are in "Gardeners' Chronicle." What + conclusions he draws from a single Carabus (379/3. "Dr. Hooker on Insular + Floras" ("Gardeners' Chronicle," 1867, pages 152, 181). The reference to + the Carabidous beetle (Aplothorax) is at page 181.), and that a widely + ranging genus! He seems to me conceited; you and I are fair game + geologically, but he refers to Lyell, as if his opinion on a geological + point was worth no more than his own. I have just bought, but not read a + sentence of, Murray's big book (379/4. "Geographical Distribution of + Mammals," 1866.), second-hand, for 30s., new, so I do not envy the + publishers. It is clear to me that the man cannot reason. I have had a + very nice letter from Scott at Calcutta (379/5. See Letter 150.): he has + been making some good observations on the acclimatisation of seeds from + plants of same species, grown in different countries, and likewise on how + far European plants will stand the climate of Calcutta. He says he is + astonished how well some flourish, and he maintains, if the land were + unoccupied, several could easily cross, spreading by seed, the Tropics + from north to south, so he knows how to please me; but I have told him to + be cautious, else he will have dragons down on him... + </p> + <p> + As the Azores are only about two-and-a-half times more distant from + America (in the same latitude) than from Europe, on the occasional + migration view (especially as oceanic currents come directly from West + Indies and Florida, and heavy gales of wind blow from the same direction), + a large percentage of the flora ought to be American; as it is, we have + only the Sanicula, and at present we have no explanation of this apparent + anomaly, or only a feeble indication of an explanation in the birds of the + Azores being all European. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 380. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, March 21st {1867}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your pleasant and very amusing letter. You have been + treated shamefully by Etty and me, but now that I know the facts, the + sentence seems to me quite clear. Nevertheless, as we have both blundered, + it would be well to modify the sentence something as follows: "whilst, on + the other hand, the plants which are related to those of distant + continents, but have no affinity with those of the mother continent, are + often very common." I forget whether you explain this circumstance, but it + seems to me very mysterious (380/1. Sir Joseph Hooker wrote (March 23rd, + 1867): "I see you 'smell a rat' in the matter of insular plants that are + related to those of {a} distant continent being common. Yes, my beloved + friend, let me make a clean breast of it. I only found it out after the + lecture was in print!...I have been waiting ever since to 'think it out,' + and write to you about it, coherently. I thought it best to squeeze it in, + anyhow or anywhere, rather than leave so curious a fact unnoticed.")...Do + always remember that nothing in the world gives us so much pleasure as + seeing you here whenever you can come. I chuckle over what you say of And. + Murray, but I must grapple with his book some day. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 381. TO C. LYELL. Down, October 31st {1867}. + </p> + <p> + Mr. {J.P. Mansel} Weale sent to me from Natal a small packet of dry locust + dung, under 1/2 oz., with the statement that it is believed that they + introduce new plants into a district. (381/1. See Volume I., Letter 221.) + This statement, however, must be very doubtful. From this packet seven + plants have germinated, belonging to at least two kinds of grasses. There + is no error, for I dissected some of the seeds out of the middle of the + pellets. It deserves notice that locusts are sometimes blown far out to + sea. I caught one 370 miles from Africa, and I have heard of much greater + distances. You might like to hear the following case, as it relates to a + migratory bird belonging to the most wandering of all orders—viz. + the woodcock. (381/2. "Origin," Edition VI., page 328.) The tarsus was + firmly coated with mud, weighing when dry 9 grains, and from this the + Juncus bufonius, or toad rush, germinated. By the way, the locust case + verifies what I said in the "Origin," that many possible means of + distribution would be hereafter discovered. I quite agree about the + extreme difficulty of the distribution of land mollusca. You will have + seen in the last edition of "Origin" (381/3. "Origin," Edition IV., page + 429. The reference is to MM. Marten's (381/4. For Marten's read Martins' + {the name is wrongly spelt in the "Origin of Species."}) experiments on + seeds "in a box in the actual sea.") that my observations on the effects + of sea-water have been confirmed. I still suspect that the legs of birds + which roost on the ground may be an efficient means; but I was interrupted + when going to make trials on this subject, and have never resumed it. + </p> + <p> + We shall be in London in the middle of latter part of November, when I + shall much enjoy seeing you. Emma sends her love, and many thanks for Lady + Lyell's note. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 382. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, Wednesday {1867}. + </p> + <p> + I daresay there is a great deal of truth in your remarks on the glacial + affair, but we are in a muddle, and shall never agree. I am bigoted to the + last inch, and will not yield. I cannot think how you can attach so much + weight to the physicists, seeing how Hopkins, Hennessey, Haughton, and + Thomson have enormously disagreed about the rate of cooling of the crust; + remembering Herschel's speculations about cold space (382/1. The reader + will find some account of Herschel's views in Lyell's "Principles," 1872, + Edition XI., Volume I., page 283.), and bearing in mind all the recent + speculations on change of axis, I will maintain to the death that your + case of Fernando Po and Abyssinia is worth ten times more than the belief + of a dozen physicists. (382/2. See "Origin," Edition VI., page 337: "Dr. + Hooker has also lately shown that several of the plants living on the + upper parts of the lofty island of Fernando Po and on the neighbouring + Cameroon mountains, in the Gulf of Guinea, are closely related to those in + the mountains of Abyssinia, and likewise to those of temperate Europe." + Darwin evidently means that such facts as these are better evidence of the + gigantic periods of time occupied by evolutionary changes than the + discordant conclusions of the physicists. See "Linn. Soc. Journ." Volume + VII., page 180, for Hooker's general conclusions; also Hooker and Ball's + "Marocco," Appendix F, page 421. For the case of Fernando Po see Hooker + ("Linn. Soc. Journ." VI., 1861, page 3, where he sums up: "Hence the + result of comparing Clarence Peak flora {Fernando Po} with that of the + African continent is—(1) the intimate relationship with Abyssinia, + of whose flora it is a member, and from which it is separated by 1800 + miles of absolutely unexplored country; (2) the curious relationship with + the East African islands, which are still farther off; (3) the almost + total dissimilarity from the Cape flora." For Sir J.D. Hooker's general + conclusions on the Cameroon plants see "Linn. Soc. Journ." VII., page 180. + More recently equally striking cases have come to light: for instance, the + existence of a Mediterranean genus, Adenocarpus, in the Cameroons and on + Kilima Njaro, and nowhere else in Africa; and the probable migration of + South African forms along the highlands from the Natal District to + Abysinnia. See Hooker, "Linn. Soc. Journ." XIV., 1874, pages 144-5.) Your + remarks on my regarding temperate plants and disregarding the tropical + plants made me at first uncomfortable, but I soon recovered. You say that + all botanists would agree that many tropical plants could not withstand a + somewhat cooler climate. But I have come not to care at all for general + beliefs without the special facts. I have suffered too often from this: + thus I found in every book the general statement that a host of flowers + were fertilised in the bud, that seeds could not withstand salt water, + etc., etc. I would far more trust such graphic accounts as that by you of + the mixed vegetation on the Himalayas and other such accounts. And with + respect to tropical plants withstanding the slowly coming on cool period, + I trust to such facts as yours (and others) about seeds of the same + species from mountains and plains having acquired a slightly different + climatal constitution. I know all that I have said will excite in you + savage contempt towards me. Do not answer this rigmarole, but attack me to + your heart's content, and to that of mine, whenever you can come here, and + may it be soon. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 383. J.D. HOOKER TO CHARLES DARWIN. Kew, 1870. + </p> + <p> + (383/1. The following extract from a letter of Sir J.D. Hooker shows the + tables reversed between the correspondents.) + </p> + <p> + Grove is disgusted at your being disquieted about W. Thomson. Tell George + from me not to sit upon you with his mathematics. When I threatened your + tropical cooling views with the facts of the physicists, you snubbed me + and the facts sweetly, over and over again; and now, because a scarecrow + of x+y has been raised on the selfsame facts, you boo-boo. Take another + dose of Huxley's penultimate G. S. Address, and send George back to + college. (383/2. Huxley's Anniversary Address to the Geological Society, + 1869 ("Collected Essays," VIII., page 305). This is a criticism of Lord + Kelvin's paper "On Geological Time" ("Trans. Geolog. Soc. Glasgow," III.). + At page 336 Mr. Huxley deals with Lord Kelvin's "third line of argument, + based on the temperature of the interior of the earth." This was no doubt + the point most disturbing to Mr. Darwin, since it led Lord Kelvin to ask + (as quoted by Huxley), "Are modern geologists prepared to say that all + life was killed off the earth 50,000, 100,000, or 200,000 years ago?" Mr. + Huxley, after criticising Lord Kelvin's data and conclusion, gives his + conviction that the case against Geology has broken down. With regard to + evolution, Huxley (page 328) ingeniously points out a case of circular + reasoning. "But it may be said that it is biology, and not geology, which + asks for so much time—that the succession of life demands vast + intervals; but this appears to me to be reasoning in a circle. Biology + takes her time from geology. The only reason we have for believing in the + slow rate of the change in living forms is the fact that they persist + through a series of deposits which, geology informs us, have taken a long + while to make. If the geological clock is wrong, all the naturalist will + have to do is to modify his notions of the rapidity of change + accordingly.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 384. TO J.D. HOOKER. February 3rd {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I am now reading Miquel on "Flora of Japan" (384/1. Miquel, "Flore du + Japon": "Archives Neerlandaises" ii., 1867.), and like it: it is rather a + relief to me (though, of course, not new to you) to find so very much in + common with Asia. I wonder if A. Murray's (384/2. "Geographical + Distribution of Mammals," by Andrew Murray, 1866. See Chapter V., page 47. + See Letter 379.) notion can be correct, that a {profound} arm of the sea + penetrated the west coast of N. America, and prevented the Asiatico-Japan + element colonising that side of the continent so much as the eastern side; + or will climate suffice? I shall to the day of my death keep up my full + interest in Geographical Distribution, but I doubt whether I shall ever + have strength to come in any fuller detail than in the "Origin" to this + grand subject. In fact, I do not suppose any man could master so + comprehensive a subject as it now has become, if all kingdoms of nature + are included. I have read Murray's book, and am disappointed—though, + as you said, here and there clever thoughts occur. How strange it is, that + his view not affording the least explanation of the innumerable + adaptations everywhere to be seen apparently does not in the least trouble + his mind. One of the most curious cases which he adduces seems to me to be + the two allied fresh-water, highly peculiar porpoises in the Ganges and + Indus; and the more distantly allied form of the Amazons. Do you remember + his explanation of an arm of the sea becoming cut off, like the Caspian, + converted into fresh-water, and then divided into two lakes (by upheaval), + giving rise to two great rivers. But no light is thus thrown on the + affinity of the Amazon form. I now find from Flower's paper (384/3. + "Zoolog. Trans." VI., 1869, page 115. The toothed whales are divided into + the Physeteridae, the Delphinidae, and the Platanistidae, which latter is + placed between the two other families, and is divided into the + sub-families Iniinae and Platanistinae.) that these fresh-water porpoises + form two sub-families, making an extremely isolated and intermediate, very + small family. Hence to us they are clearly remnants of a large group; and + I cannot doubt we here have a good instance precisely like that of ganoid + fishes, of a large ancient marine group, preserved exclusively in + fresh-water, where there has been less competition, and consequently + little modification. (384/4. See Volume I., Letter 95.) What a grand fact + that is which Miquel gives of the beech not extending beyond the Caucasus, + and then reappearing in Japan, like your Himalayan Pinus, and the cedar of + Lebanon. (384/5. For Pinus read Deodar. The essential identity of the + deodar and the cedar of Lebanon was pointed out in Hooker's "Himalayan + Journals" in 1854 (Volume I., page 257.n). In the "Nat. History Review," + January, 1862, the question is more fully dealt with by him, and the + distribution discussed. The nearest point at which cedars occur is the + Bulgar-dagh chain of Taurus—250 miles from Lebanon. Under the name + of Cedrus atlantica the tree occurs in mass on the borders of Tunis, and + as Deodar it first appears to the east in the cedar forests of + Afghanistan. Sir J.D. Hooker supposes that, during a period of greater + cold, the cedars on the Taurus and on Lebanon lived many thousand feet + nearer the sea-level, and spread much farther to the east, meeting similar + belts of trees descending and spreading westward from Afghanistan along + the Persian mountains.) I know of nothing that gives one such an idea of + the recent mutations in the surface of the land as these living + "outlyers." In the geological sense we must, I suppose, admit that every + yard of land has been successively covered with a beech forest between the + Caucasus and Japan! + </p> + <p> + I have not yet seen (for I have not sent to the station) Falconer's works. + When you say that you sigh to think how poor your reprinted memoirs would + appear, on my soul I should like to shake you till your bones rattled for + talking such nonsense. Do you sigh over the "Insular Floras," the + Introduction to New Zealand Flora, to Australia, your Arctic Flora, and + dear Galapagos, etc., etc., etc.? In imagination I am grinding my teeth + and choking you till I put sense into you. Farewell. I have amused myself + by writing an audaciously long letter. By the way, we heard yesterday that + George has won the second Smith's Prize, which I am excessively glad of, + as the Second Wrangler by no means always succeeds. The examination + consists exclusively of {the} most difficult subjects, which such men as + Stokes, Cayley, and Adams can set. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 385. A.R. WALLACE TO CHARLES DARWIN. March 8th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + ...While writing a few pages on the northern alpine forms of plants on the + Java mountains I wanted a few cases to refer to like Teneriffe, where + there are no northern forms and scarcely any alpine. I expected the + volcanoes of Hawaii would be a good case, and asked Dr. Seemann about + them. It seems a man has lately published a list of Hawaiian plants, and + the mountains swarm with European alpine genera and some species! (385/1. + "This turns out to be inaccurate, or greatly exaggerated. There are no + true alpines, and the European genera are comparatively few. See my + 'Island Life,' page 323."—A.R.W.) Is not this most extraordinary, + and a puzzler? They are, I believe, truly oceanic islands, in the absence + of mammals and the extreme poverty of birds and insects, and they are + within the Tropics. + </p> + <p> + Will not that be a hard nut for you when you come to treat in detail on + geographical distribution? I enclose Seemann's note, which please return + when you have copied the list, if of any use to you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 386. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, February 21st {1870}. + </p> + <p> + I read yesterday the notes on Round Island (386/1. In Wallace's "Island + Life," page 410, Round Island is described as an islet "only about a mile + across, and situated about fourteen miles north-east of Mauritius." + Wallace mentions a snake, a python belonging to the peculiar and distinct + genus Casarea, as found on Round Island, and nowhere else in the world. + The palm Latania Loddigesii is quoted by Wallace as "confined to Round + Island and two other adjacent islets." See Baker's "Flora of the Mauritius + and the Seychelles." Mr. Wallace says that, judging from the soundings, + Round Island was connected with Mauritius, and that when it was "first + separated {it} would have been both much larger and much nearer the main + island.") which I owe to you. Was there ever such an enigma? If, in the + course of a week or two, you can find time to let me hear what you think, + I should very much like to hear: or we hope to be at Erasmus' on March 4th + for a week. Would there be any chance of your coming to luncheon then? + What a case it is. Palms, screw-pines, four snakes—not one being in + main island—lizards, insects, and not one land bird. But, above + everything, such a proportion of individual monocotyledons! The conditions + do not seem very different from the Tuff Galapagos Island, but, as far as + I remember, very few monocotyledons there. Then, again, the island seems + to have been elevated. I wonder much whether it stands out in the line of + any oceanic current, which does not so forcibly strike the main island? + But why, oh, why should so many monocotyledons have come there? or why + should they have survived there more than on the main island, if once + connected? So, again, I cannot conceive that four snakes should have + become extinct in Mauritius and survived on Round Island. For a moment I + thought that Mauritius might be the newer island, but the enormous + degradation which the outer ring of rocks has undergone flatly contradicts + this, and the marine remains on the summit of Round Island indicate the + island to be comparatively new—unless, indeed, they are fossil and + extinct marine remains. Do tell me what you think. There never was such an + enigma. I rather lean to separate immigration, with, of course, subsequent + modification; some forms, of course, also coming from Mauritius. Speaking + of Mauritius reminds me that I was so much pleased the day before + yesterday by reading a review of a book on the geology of St. Helena, by + an officer who knew nothing of my hurried observations, but confirms + nearly all that I have said on the general structure of the island, and on + its marvellous denudation. The geology of that island was like a novel. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 387. TO A. BLYTT. Down, March 28th, 1876. + </p> + <p> + (387/1. The following refers to Blytt's "Essay on the Immigration of the + Norwegian Flora during Alternating Rainy and Dry Periods," Christiania, + 1876.) + </p> + <p> + I thank you sincerely for your kindness in having sent me your work on the + "Immigration of the Norwegian Flora," which has interested me in the + highest degree. Your view, supported as it is by various facts, appears to + me the most important contribution towards understanding the present + distribution of plants, which has appeared since Forbes' essay on the + effects of the Glacial Period. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 388. TO AUG. FOREL. Down, June 19th, 1876. + </p> + <p> + I hope you will allow me to suggest an observation, should any opportunity + occur, on a point which has interested me for many years—viz., how + do the coleoptera which inhabit the nests of ants colonise a new nest? Mr. + Wallace, in reference to the presence of such coleoptera in Madeira, + suggests that their ova may be attached to the winged female ants, and + that these are occasionally blown across the ocean to the island. It would + be very interesting to discover whether the ova are adhesive, and whether + the female coleoptera are guided by instinct to attach them to the female + ants (388/1. Dr. Sharp is good enough to tell us that he is not aware of + any such adaptation. Broadly speaking, the distribution of the + nest-inhabiting beetles is due to co-migration with the ants, though in + some cases the ants transport the beetles. Sitaris and Meloe are beetles + which live "at the expense of bees of the genus Anthophora." The eggs are + laid not in but near the bees' nest; in the early stage the larva is + active and has the instinct to seize any hairy object near it, and in this + way they are carried by the Anthophora to the nest. Dr. Sharp states that + no such preliminary stage is known in the ant's-nest beetles. For an + account of Sitaris and Meloe, see Sharp's "Insects," II., page 272.); or + whether the larvae pass through an early stage, as with Sitaris or Meloe, + or cling to the bodies of the females. This note obviously requires no + answer. I trust that you continue your most interesting investigations on + ants. + </p> + <p> + (PLATE: MR. A.R. WALLACE, 1878. From a photograph by Maull & Fox.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 389. TO A.R. WALLACE. + </p> + <p> + (389/1. Published in "Life and Letters," III., page 230.) + </p> + <p> + (389/2. The following five letters refer to Mr. Wallace's "Geographical + Distribution of Animals," 1876.) + </p> + <p> + {Hopedene} (389/3. Mr. Hensleigh Wedgwood's house in Surrey.), June 5th, + 1876. + </p> + <p> + I must have the pleasure of expressing to you my unbounded admiration of + your book (389/4. "Geographical Distribution," 1876.), though I have read + only to page 184—my object having been to do as little as possible + while resting. I feel sure that you have laid a broad and safe foundation + for all future work on Distribution. How interesting it will be to see + hereafter plants treated in strict relation to your views; and then all + insects, pulmonate molluscs and fresh-water fishes, in greater detail than + I suppose you have given to these lower animals. The point which has + interested me most, but I do not say the most valuable point, is your + protest against sinking imaginary continents in a quite reckless manner, + as was stated by Forbes, followed, alas, by Hooker, and caricatured by + Wollaston and {Andrew} Murray! By the way, the main impression that the + latter author has left on my mind is his utter want of all scientific + judgment. I have lifted up my voice against the above view with no avail, + but I have no doubt that you will succeed, owing to your new arguments and + the coloured chart. Of a special value, as it seems to me, is the + conclusion that we must determine the areas, chiefly by the nature of the + mammals. When I worked many years ago on this subject, I doubted much + whether the now-called Palaearctic and Nearctic regions ought to be + separated; and I determined if I made another region that it should be + Madagascar. I have, therefore, been able to appreciate your evidence on + these points. What progress Palaeontology has made during the last twenty + years! but if it advances at the same rate in the future, our views on the + migration and birthplace of the various groups will, I fear, be greatly + altered. I cannot feel quite easy about the Glacial period, and the + extinction of large mammals, but I must hope that you are right. I think + you will have to modify your belief about the difficulty of dispersal of + land molluscs; I was interrupted when beginning to experimentise on the + just hatched young adhering to the feet of ground-roosting birds. I differ + on one other point—viz. in the belief that there must have existed a + Tertiary Antarctic continent, from which various forms radiated to the + southern extremities of our present continents. But I could go on + scribbling forever. You have written, as I believe, a grand and memorable + work, which will last for years as the foundation for all future treatises + on Geographical Distribution. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—You have paid me the highest conceivable compliment, by what + you say of your work in relation to my chapters on distribution in the + "Origin," and I heartily thank you for it. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 390. FROM A.R. WALLACE TO CHARLES DARWIN. The Dell, Grays, Essex, + June 7th, 1876. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your very kind letter. So few people will read my book at + all regularly, that a criticism from one who does so will be very welcome. + If, as I suppose, it is only to page 184 of Volume I. that you have read, + you cannot yet quite see my conclusions on the points you refer to (land + molluscs and Antarctic continent). My own conclusion fluctuated during the + progress of the book, and I have, I know, occasionally used expressions + (the relics of earlier ideas) which are not quite consistent with what I + say further on. I am positively against any Southern continent as uniting + South America with Australia or New Zealand, as you will see at Volume I., + pages 398-403, and 459-66. My general conclusions as to distribution of + land mollusca are at Volume II., pages 522-9. (390/1. "Geographical + Distribution" II., pages 524, 525. Mr. Wallace points out that "hardly a + small island on the globe but has some land-shells peculiar to it"—and + he goes so far as to say that probably air-breathing mollusca have been + chiefly distributed by air- or water-carriage, rather than by voluntary + dispersal on the land.) When you have read these passages, and looked at + the general facts which lead to them, I shall be glad to hear if you still + differ from me. + </p> + <p> + Though, of course, present results as to the origin and migrations of + genera of mammals will have to be modified owing to new discoveries, I + cannot help thinking that much will remain unaffected, because in all + geographical and geological discoveries the great outlines are soon + reached, the details alone remain to be modified. I also think much of the + geological evidence is now so accordant with, and explanatory of, + Geographical Distribution, that it is prima facie correct in outline. + Nevertheless, such vast masses of new facts will come out in the next few + years that I quite dread the labour of incorporating them in a new + edition. + </p> + <p> + I hope your health is improved; and when, quite at your leisure, you have + waded through my book, I trust you will again let me have a few lines of + friendly criticism and advice. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 391. TO A.R. WALLACE. Down, June 17th, 1876. + </p> + <p> + I have now finished the whole of Volume I., with the same interest and + admiration as before; and I am convinced that my judgment was right and + that it is a memorable book, the basis of all future work on the subject. + I have nothing particular to say, but perhaps you would like to hear my + impressions on two or three points. Nothing has struck me more than the + admirable and convincing manner in which you treat Java. To allude to a + very trifling point, it is capital about the unadorned head of the + Argus-pheasant. (391/1. See "Descent of Man," Edition I., pages 90 and + 143, for drawings of the Argus pheasant and its markings. The ocelli on + the wing feathers were favourite objects of Mr. Darwin, and sometimes + formed the subject of the little lectures which on rare occasions he would + give to a visitor interested in Natural History. In Mr. Wallace's book the + meaning of the ocelli comes in by the way, in the explanation of Plate + IX., "A Malayan Forest with some of its peculiar Birds." Mr. Wallace + (volume i., page 340) points out that the head of the Argus pheasant is, + during the display of the wings, concealed from the view of a spectator in + front, and this accounts for the absence of bright colour on the head—a + most unusual point in a pheasant. The case is described as a "remarkable + confirmation of Mr. Darwin's views, that gaily coloured plumes are + developed in the male bird for the purpose of attractive display." For the + difference of opinion between the two naturalists on the broad question of + coloration see "Life and Letters," III., page 123. See Letters 440-453.) + How plain a thing is, when it is once pointed out! What a wonderful case + is that of Celebes: I am glad that you have slightly modified your views + with respect to Africa. (391/2. "I think this must refer to the following + passage in 'Geog. Dist. of Animals,' Volume I., pages 286-7. 'At this + period (Miocene) Madagascar was no doubt united with Africa, and helped to + form a great southern continent which must at one time have extended + eastward as far as Southern India and Ceylon; and over the whole of this + the lemurine type no doubt prevailed.' At the time this was written I had + not paid so much attention to islands, and in my "Island Life" I have + given ample reasons for my belief that the evidence of extinct animals + does not require any direct connection between Southern India and Africa."—Note + by Mr. Wallace.) And this leads me to say that I cannot swallow the + so-called continent of Lemuria—i.e., the direct connection of Africa + and Ceylon. (391/3. See "Geographical Distribution," I., page 76. The name + Lemuria was proposed by Mr. Sclater for an imaginary submerged continent + extending from Madagascar to Ceylon and Sumatra. Mr. Wallace points out + that if we confine ourselves to facts Lemuria is reduced to Madagascar, + which he makes a subdivision of the Ethiopian Region.) The facts do not + seem to me many and strong enough to justify so immense a change of level. + Moreover, Mauritius and the other islands appear to me oceanic in + character. But do not suppose that I place my judgment on this subject on + a level with yours. A wonderfully good paper was published about a year + ago on India, in the "Geological Journal," I think by Blanford. (391/4. + H.F. Blanford "On the Age and Correlations of the Plant-bearing Series of + India and the Former Existence of an Indo-Oceanic Continent" ("Quart. + Journ. Geol. Soc." XXXI., 1875, page 519). The name Gondwana-Land was + subsequently suggested by Professor Suess for this Indo-Oceanic continent. + Since the publication of Blanford's paper, much literature has appeared + dealing with the evidence furnished by fossil plants, etc., in favour of + the existence of a vast southern continent.) Ramsay agreed with me that it + was one of the best published for a long time. The author shows that India + has been a continent with enormous fresh-water lakes, from the Permian + period to the present day. If I remember right, he believes in a former + connection with S. Africa. + </p> + <p> + I am sure that I read, some twenty to thirty years ago in a French + journal, an account of teeth of Mastodon found in Timor; but the statement + may have been an error. (391/5. In a letter to Falconer (Letter 155), + January 5th, 1863, Darwin refers to the supposed occurrence of Mastodon as + having been "smashed" by Falconer.) + </p> + <p> + With respect to what you say about the colonising of New Zealand, I + somewhere have an account of a frog frozen in the ice of a Swiss glacier, + and which revived when thawed. I may add that there is an Indian toad + which can resist salt-water and haunts the seaside. Nothing ever + astonished me more than the case of the Galaxias; but it does not seem + known whether it may not be a migratory fish like the salmon. (391/6. The + only genus of the Galaxidae, a family of fresh-water fishes occurring in + New Zealand, Tasmania, and Tierra del Fuego, ranging north as far as + Queensland and Chile (Wallace's "Geographical Distribution," II., page + 448).) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 392. TO A.R. WALLACE. Down, June 25th, 1876. + </p> + <p> + I have been able to read rather more quickly of late, and have finished + your book. I have not much to say. Your careful account of the temperate + parts of South America interested me much, and all the more from knowing + something of the country. I like also much the general remarks towards the + end of the volume on the land molluscs. Now for a few criticisms. + </p> + <p> + Page 122. (392/1. The pages refer to Volume II. of Wallace's "Geographical + Distribution.")—I am surprised at your saying that "during the whole + Tertiary period North America was zoologically far more strongly + contrasted with South America than it is now." But we know hardly anything + of the latter except during the Pliocene period; and then the mastodon, + horse, several great edentata, etc., etc., were common to the north and + south. If you are right, I erred greatly in my "Journal," where I insisted + on the former close connection between the two. + </p> + <p> + Page 252 and elsewhere.—I agree thoroughly with the general + principle that a great area with many competing forms is necessary for + much and high development; but do you not extend this principle too far—I + should say much too far, considering how often several species of the same + genus have been developed on very small islands? + </p> + <p> + Page 265.—You say that the Sittidae extend to Madagascar, but there + is no number in the tabular heading. {The number (4) was erroneously + omitted.—A.R.W.} + </p> + <p> + Page 359.—Rhinochetus is entered in the tabular heading under No. 3 + of the neotropical subregions. {An error: should have been the Australian.—A.R.W.} + </p> + <p> + Reviewers think it necessary to find some fault; and if I were to review + you, the sole point which I should blame is your not giving very numerous + references. These would save whoever follows you great labour. + Occasionally I wished myself to know the authority for certain statements, + and whether you or somebody else had originated certain subordinate views. + Take the case of a man who had collected largely on some island, for + instance St. Helena, and who wished to work out the geographical relations + of his collections: he would, I think, feel very blank at not finding in + your work precise references to all that had been written on St. Helena. I + hope you will not think me a confoundedly disagreeable fellow. + </p> + <p> + I may mention a capital essay which I received a few months ago from Axel + Blytt (392/2. Axel Blytt, "Essay on the Immigration of the Norwegian + Flora." Christiania, 1876. See Letter 387.) on the distribution of the + plants of Scandinavia; showing the high probability of there having been + secular periods alternately wet and dry, and of the important part which + they have played in distribution. + </p> + <p> + I wrote to Forel (392/3. See Letter 388.), who is always at work on ants, + and told him your views about the dispersal of the blind coleoptera, and + asked him to observe. + </p> + <p> + I spoke to Hooker about your book, and feel sure that he would like + nothing better than to consider the distribution of plants in relation to + your views; but he seemed to doubt whether he should ever have time. + </p> + <p> + And now I have done my jottings, and once again congratulate you on having + brought out so grand a work. I have been a little disappointed at the + review in "Nature." (392/4. June 22nd, 1876, pages 165 et seq.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 393. A.R. WALLACE TO CHARLES DARWIN. Rosehill, Dorking, July 23rd, + 1876. + </p> + <p> + I should have replied sooner to your last kind and interesting letters, + but they reached me in the midst of my packing previous to removal here, + and I have only just now got my books and papers in a get-at-able state. + </p> + <p> + And first, many thanks for your close observation in detecting the two + absurd mistakes in the tabular headings. + </p> + <p> + As to the former greater distinction of the North and South American + faunas, I think I am right. The edentata being proved (as I hold) to have + been mere temporary migrants into North America in the post-Pliocene + epoch, form no part of its Tertiary fauna. Yet in South America they were + so enormously developed in the Pliocene epoch that we know, if there is + any such thing as evolution, etc., that strange ancestral forms must have + preceded them in Miocene times. + </p> + <p> + Mastodon, on the other hand, represented by one or two species only, + appears to have been a late immigrant into South America from the north. + </p> + <p> + The immense development of ungulates (in varied families, genera, and + species) in North America during the whole Tertiary epoch is, however, the + great feature which assimilates it to Europe, and contrasts it with South + America. True camels, hosts of hog-like animals, true rhinoceroses, and + hosts of ancestral horses, all bring the North American {fauna} much + nearer to the Old World than it is now. Even the horse, represented in all + South America by Equus only, was probably a temporary immigrant from the + north. + </p> + <p> + As to extending too far the principle (yours) of the necessity of + comparatively large areas for the development of varied faunas, I may have + done so, but I think not. There is, I think, every probability that most + islands, etc., where a varied fauna now exists, have been once more + extensive—eg., New Zealand, Madagascar: where there is no such + evidence (e.g., Galapagos), the fauna is very restricted. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, as to want of references: I confess the justice of your criticism; + but I am dreadfully unsystematic. It is my first large work involving much + of the labour of others. I began with the intention of writing a + comparatively short sketch, enlarged it, and added to it bit by bit; + remodelled the tables, the headings, and almost everything else, more than + once, and got my materials in such confusion that it is a wonder it has + not turned out far more crooked and confused than it is. I, no doubt, + ought to have given references; but in many cases I found the information + so small and scattered, and so much had to be combined and condensed from + conflicting authorities, that I hardly knew how to refer to them or where + to leave off. Had I referred to all authors consulted for every fact, I + should have greatly increased the bulk of the book, while a large portion + of the references would be valueless in a few years, owing to later and + better authorities. My experience of referring to references has generally + been most unsatisfactory. One finds, nine times out of ten, the fact is + stated, and nothing more; or a reference to some third work not at hand! + </p> + <p> + I wish I could get into the habit of giving chapter and verse for every + fact and extract; but I am too lazy, and generally in a hurry, having to + consult books against time, when in London for a day. + </p> + <p> + However, I will try to do something to mend this matter, should I have to + prepare another edition. + </p> + <p> + I return you Forel's letter. It does not advance the question much; + neither do I think it likely that even the complete observation he thinks + necessary would be of much use, because it may well be that the ova, or + larvae, or imagos of the beetles are not carried systematically by the + ants, but only occasionally, owing to some exceptional circumstances. This + might produce a great effect in distribution, yet be so rare as never to + come under observation. + </p> + <p> + Several of your remarks in previous letters I shall carefully consider. I + know that, compared with the extent of the subject, my book is in many + parts crude and ill-considered; but I thought, and still think, it better + to make some generalisations wherever possible, as I am not at all afraid + of having to alter my views in many points of detail. I was so overwhelmed + with zoological details, that I never went through the Geological + Society's "Journal" as I ought to have done, and as I mean to do before + writing more on the subject. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 394. TO F. BUCHANAN WHITE. + </p> + <p> + (394/1. "Written in acknowledgment of a copy of a paper (published by me + in the "Proceedings of the Zoological Society") on the Hemiptera of St. + Helena, but discussing the origin of the whole fauna and flora of that + island."—F.B.W.) + </p> + <p> + Down, September 23rd. {1878}. + </p> + <p> + I have now read your paper, and I hope that you will not think me + presumptuous in writing another line to say how excellent it seems to me. + I believe that you have largely solved the problem of the affinities of + the inhabitants of this most interesting little island, and this is a + delightful triumph. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 395. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, July 22nd {1879}. + </p> + <p> + I have just read Ball's Essay. (395/1. The late John Ball's lecture "On + the Origin of the Flora of the Alps" in the "Proceedings of the R. Geogr. + Soc." 1879. Ball argues (page 18) that "during ancient Palaeozoic times, + before the deposition of the Coal-measures, the atmosphere contained + twenty times as much carbonic acid gas and considerably less oxygen than + it does at present." He further assumes that in such an atmosphere the + percentage of CO2 in the higher mountains would be excessively different + from that at the sea-level, and appends the result of calculations which + gives the amount of CO2 at the sea-level as 100 per 10,000 by weight, at a + height of 10,000 feet as 12.5 per 10,000. Darwin understands him to mean + that the Vascular Cryptogams and Gymnosperms could stand the sea-level + atmosphere, whereas the Angiosperms would only be able to exist in the + higher regions where the percentage of CO2 was small. It is not clear to + us that Ball relies so largely on the condition of the atmosphere as + regards CO2. If he does he is clearly in error, for everything we know of + assimilation points to the conclusion that 100 per 10,000 (1 per cent.) is + by no means a hurtful amount of CO2, and that it would lead to an + especially vigorous assimilation. Mountain plants would be more likely to + descend to the plains to share in the rich feast than ascend to higher + regions to avoid it. Ball draws attention to the imperfection of our plant + records as regards the floras of mountain regions. It is, he thinks, + conceivable that there existed a vegetation on the Carboniferous mountains + of which no traces have been preserved in the rocks. See "Fossil Plants as + Tests of Climate," page 40, A.C. Seward, 1892. + </p> + <p> + Since the first part of this note was written, a paper has been read (May + 29th, 1902) by Dr. H.T. Brown and Mr. F. Escombe, before the Royal Society + on "The Influence of varying amounts of Carbon Dioxide in the Air on the + Photosynthetic Process of Leaves, and on the Mode of Growth of Plants." + The author's experiments included the cultivation of several + dicotyledonous plants in an atmosphere containing in one case 180 to 200 + times the normal amount of CO2, and in another between three and four + times the normal amount. The general results were practically identical in + the two sets of experiments. "All the species of flowering plants, which + have been the subject of experiment, appear to be accurately 'tuned' to an + atmospheric environment of three parts of CO2 per 10,000, and the response + which they make to slight increases in this amount are in a direction + altogether unfavourable to their growth and reproduction." The + assimilation of carbon increases with the increase in the partial pressure + of the CO2. But there seems to be a disturbance in metabolism, and the + plants fail to take advantage of the increased supply of CO2. The authors + say:—"All we are justified in concluding is, that if such + atmospheric variations have occurred since the advent of flowering plants, + they must have taken place so slowly as never to outrun the possible + adaptation of the plants to their changing conditions." + </p> + <p> + Prof. Farmer and Mr. S.E. Chandler gave an account, at the same meeting of + the Royal Society, of their work "On the Influence of an Excess of Carbon + Dioxide in the Air on the Form and Internal Structure of Plants." The + results obtained were described as differing in a remarkable way from + those previously recorded by Teodoresco ("Rev. Gen. Botanique," II., 1899 + </p> + <p> + It is hoped that Dr. Horace Brown and Mr. Escombe will extend their + experiments to Vascular Cryptogams, and thus obtain evidence bearing more + directly upon the question of an increased amount of CO2 in the atmosphere + of the Coal-period forests.) It is pretty bold. The rapid development as + far as we can judge of all the higher plants within recent geological + times is an abominable mystery. Certainly it would be a great step if we + could believe that the higher plants at first could live only at a high + level; but until it is experimentally {proved} that Cycadeae, ferns, etc., + can withstand much more carbonic acid than the higher plants, the + hypothesis seems to me far too rash. Saporta believes that there was an + astonishingly rapid development of the high plants, as soon {as} + flower-frequenting insects were developed and favoured intercrossing. I + should like to see this whole problem solved. I have fancied that perhaps + there was during long ages a small isolated continent in the S. Hemisphere + which served as the birthplace of the higher plants—but this is a + wretchedly poor conjecture. It is odd that Ball does not allude to the + obvious fact that there must have been alpine plants before the Glacial + period, many of which would have returned to the mountains after the + Glacial period, when the climate again became warm. I always accounted to + myself in this manner for the gentians, etc. + </p> + <p> + Ball ought also to have considered the alpine insects common to the Arctic + regions. I do not know how it may be with you, but my faith in the glacial + migration is not at all shaken. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 396. A.R. WALLACE TO CHARLES DARWIN. + </p> + <p> + (396/1. This letter is in reply to Mr. Darwin's criticisms on Mr. + Wallace's "Island Life," 1880.) + </p> + <p> + Pen-y-Bryn, St. Peter's Road, Croydon, November 8th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your kind remarks and notes on my book. Several of the + latter will be of use to me if I have to prepare a second edition, which I + am not so sure of as you seem to be. + </p> + <p> + 1. In your remark as to the doubtfulness of paucity of fossils being due + to coldness of water, I think you overlook that I am speaking only of + water in the latitude of the Alps, in Miocene and Eocene times, when + icebergs and glaciers temporarily descended into an otherwise warm sea; my + theory being that there was no Glacial epoch at that time, but merely a + local and temporary descent of the snow-line and glaciers owing to high + excentricity and winter in aphelion. + </p> + <p> + 2. I cannot see the difficulty about the cessation of the Glacial period. + </p> + <p> + Between the Miocene and the Pleistocene periods geographical changes + occurred which rendered a true Glacial period possible with high + excentricity. When the high excentricity passed away the Glacial epoch + also passed away in the temperate zone; but it persists in the arctic + zone, where, during the Miocene, there were mild climates, and this is due + to the persistence of the changed geographical conditions. The present + arctic climate is itself a comparatively new and abnormal state of things, + due to geographical modification. + </p> + <p> + As to "epoch" and "period," I use them as synonyms to avoid repeating the + same word. + </p> + <p> + 3. Rate of deposition and geological time. Here no doubt I may have gone + to an extreme, but my "28 million years" may be anything under 100 + millions, as I state. There is an enormous difference between mean and + maximum denudation and deposition. In the case of the great faults the + upheaval along a given line would itself facilitate the denudation + (whether sub-aerial or marine) of the upheaved portion at a rate perhaps a + hundred times above the average, just as valleys have been denuded perhaps + a hundred times faster than plains and plateaux. So local subsidence might + itself lead to very rapid deposition. Suppose a portion of the Gulf of + Mexico, near the mouths of the Mississippi, were to subside for a few + thousand years, it might receive the greater portion of the sediment from + the whole Mississippi valley, and thus form strata at a very rapid rate. + </p> + <p> + 4. You quote the Pampas thistles, etc., against my statement of the + importance of preoccupation. But I am referring especially to St. Helena, + and to plants naturally introduced from the adjacent continents. Surely if + a certain number of African plants reached the island, and became modified + into a complete adaptation to its climatic conditions, they would hardly + be expelled by other African plants arriving subsequently. They might be + so, conceivably, but it does not seem probable. The cases of the Pampas, + New Zealand, Tahiti, etc., are very different, where highly developed + aggressive plants have been artificially introduced. Under nature it is + these very aggressive species that would first reach any island in their + vicinity, and, being adapted to the island and colonising it thoroughly, + would then hold their own against other plants from the same country, + mostly less aggressive in character. + </p> + <p> + I have not explained this so fully as I should have done in the book. Your + criticism is therefore useful. + </p> + <p> + 5. My Chapter XXIII. is no doubt very speculative, and I cannot wonder at + your hesitating at accepting my views. To me, however, your theory of + hosts of existing species migrating over the tropical lowlands from the N. + temperate to the S. temperate zone appears more speculative and more + improbable. For where could the rich lowland equatorial flora have existed + during a period of general refrigeration sufficient for this? and what + became of the wonderfully rich Cape flora, which, if the temperature of + tropical Africa had been so recently lowered, would certainly have spread + northwards, and on the return of the heat could hardly have been driven + back into the sharply defined and very restricted area in which it now + exists. + </p> + <p> + As to the migration of plants from mountain to mountain not being so + probable as to remote islands, I think that is fully counterbalanced by + two considerations:— + </p> + <p> + a. The area and abundance of the mountain stations along such a range as + the Andes are immensely greater than those of the islands in the N. + Atlantic, for example. + </p> + <p> + b. The temporary occupation of mountain stations by migrating plants + (which I think I have shown to be probable) renders time a much more + important element in increasing the number and variety of the plants so + dispersed than in the case of islands, where the flora soon acquires a + fixed and endemic character, and where the number of species is + necessarily limited. + </p> + <p> + No doubt direct evidence of seeds being carried great distances through + the air is wanted, but I am afraid can hardly be obtained. Yet I feel the + greatest confidence that they are so carried. Take, for instance, the two + peculiar orchids of the Azores (Habenaria sp.) What other mode of transit + is conceivable? The whole subject is one of great difficulty, but I hope + my chapter may call attention to a hitherto neglected factor in the + distribution of plants. + </p> + <p> + Your references to the Mauritius literature are very interesting, and will + be useful to me; and I again thank you for your valuable remarks. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 397. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (397/1. The following letters were written to Sir J.D. Hooker when he was + preparing his Address as President of the Geographical Section of the + British Association at its fiftieth meeting, at York. The second letter + (August 12th) refers to an earlier letter of August 6th, published in + "Life and Letters," III., page 246.) + </p> + <p> + 4, Bryanston Street, W., Saturday, 26th {February, 1881}. + </p> + <p> + I should think that you might make a very interesting address on + Geographical Distribution. Could you give a little history of the subject. + I, for one, should like to read such history in petto; but I can see one + very great difficulty—that you yourself ought to figure most + prominently in it; and this you would not do, for you are just the man to + treat yourself in a dishonourable manner. I should very much like to see + you discuss some of Wallace's views, especially his ignoring the + all-powerful effects of the Glacial period with respect to alpine plants. + (397/2. "Having been kindly permitted by Mr. Francis Darwin to read this + letter, I wish to explain that the above statement applies only to my + rejection of Darwin's view that the presence of arctic and north temperate + plants in the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE was brought about by the lowering of the + temperature of the tropical regions during the Glacial period, so that + even 'the lowlands of these great continents were everywhere tenanted + under the equator by a considerable number of temperate forms ("Origin of + Species," Edition VI., page 338). My own views are fully explained in + Chapter XXIII. of my "Island Life," published in 1880. I quite accept all + that Darwin, Hooker, and Asa Gray have written about the effect of the + Glacial epoch in bringing about the present distribution of alpine and + arctic plants in the NORTHERN HEMISPHERE."—Note by Mr. Wallace.) I + do not know what you think, but it appears to me that he exaggerates + enormously the influence of debacles or slips and new surface of soil + being exposed for the reception of wind-blown seeds. What kinds of seeds + have the plants which are common to the distant mountain-summits in + Africa? Wallace lately wrote to me about the mountain plants of Madagascar + being the same with those on mountains in Africa, and seemed to think it + proved dispersal by the wind, without apparently having inquired what + sorts of seeds the plants bore. (397/3. The affinity with the flora of the + Eastern African islands was long ago pointed out by Sir J.D. Hooker, + "Linn. Soc. Journal," VI., 1861, page 3. Speaking of the plants of + Clarence Peak in Fernando Po, he says, "The next affinity is with + Mauritius, Bourbon, and Madagascar: of the whole 76 species, 16 inhabit + these places and 8 more are closely allied to plants from there. Three + temperate species are peculiar to Clarence Peak and the East African + islands..." The facts to which Mr. Wallace called Darwin's attention are + given by Mr. J.G. Baker in "Nature," December 9th, 1880, page 125. He + mentions the Madagascar Viola, which occurs elsewhere only at 7,000 feet + in the Cameroons, at 10,000 feet in Fernando Po and in the Abyssinian + mountains; and the same thing is true of the Madagascar Geranium. In Mr. + Wallace's letter to Darwin, dated January 1st, 1881, he evidently uses the + expression "passing through the air" in contradistinction to the migration + of a species by gradual extension of its area on land. "Through the air" + would moreover include occasional modes of transport other than simple + carriage by wind: e.g., the seeds might be carried by birds, either + attached to the feathers or to the mud on their feet, or in their crops or + intestines.) + </p> + <p> + I suppose it would be travelling too far (though for the geographical + section the discussion ought to be far-reaching), but I should like to see + the European or northern element in the Cape of Good Hope flora discussed. + I cannot swallow Wallace's view that European plants travelled down the + Andes, tenanted the hypothetical Antarctic continent (in which I quite + believe), and thence spread to South Australia and the Cape of Good Hope. + </p> + <p> + Moseley told me not long ago that he proposed to search at Kerguelen Land + the coal beds most carefully, and was absolutely forbidden to do so by Sir + W. Thomson, who said that he would undertake the work, and he never once + visited them. This puts me in a passion. I hope that you will keep to your + intention and make an address on distribution. Though I differ so much + from Wallace, his "Island Life" seems to me a wonderful book. + </p> + <p> + Farewell. I do hope that you may have a most prosperous journey. Give my + kindest remembrances to Asa Gray. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 398. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, August 12th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + ...I think that I must have expressed myself badly about Humboldt. I + should have said that he was more remarkable for his astounding knowledge + than for originality. I have always looked at him as, in fact, the founder + of the geographical distribution of organisms. I thought that I had read + that extinct fossil plants belonging to Australian forms had lately been + found in Australia, and all such cases seem to me very interesting, as + bearing on development. + </p> + <p> + I have been so astonished at the apparently sudden coming in of the higher + phanerogams, that I have sometimes fancied that development might have + slowly gone on for an immense period in some isolated continent or large + island, perhaps near the South Pole. I poured out my idle thoughts in + writing, as if I had been talking with you. + </p> + <p> + No fact has so interested me for a heap of years as your case of the + plants on the equatorial mountains of Africa; and Wallace tells me that + some one (Baker?) has described analogous cases on the mountains of + Madagascar (398/1. See Letter 397, note.)...I think that you ought to + allude to these cases. + </p> + <p> + I most fully agree that no problem is more interesting than that of the + temperate forms in the southern hemisphere, common to the north. I + remember writing about this after Wallace's book appeared, and hoping that + you would take it up. The frequency with which the drainage from the land + passes through mountain-chains seems to indicate some general law—viz., + the successive formation of cracks and lines of elevation between the + nearest ocean and the already upraised land; but that is too big a subject + for a note. + </p> + <p> + I doubt whether any insects can be shown with any probability to have been + flower feeders before the middle of the Secondary period. Several of the + asserted cases have broken down. + </p> + <p> + Your long letter has stirred many pleasant memories of long past days, + when we had many a discussion and many a good fight. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 399. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, August 21st, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I cannot aid you much, or at all. I should think that no one could have + thought on the modification of species without thinking of representative + species. But I feel sure that no discussion of any importance had been + published on this subject before the "Origin," for if I had known of it I + should assuredly have alluded to it in the "Origin," as I wished to gain + support from all quarters. I did not then know of Von Buch's view (alluded + to in my Historical Introduction in all the later editions). Von Buch + published his "Isles Canaries" in 1836, and he here briefly argues that + plants spread over a continent and vary, and the varieties in time come to + be species. He also argues that closely allied species have been thus + formed in the SEPARATE valleys of the Canary Islands, but not on the upper + and open parts. I could lend you Von Buch's book, if you like. I have just + consulted the passage. + </p> + <p> + I have not Baer's papers; but, as far as I remember, the subject is not + fully discussed by him. + </p> + <p> + I quite agree about Wallace's position on the ocean and continent + question. + </p> + <p> + To return to geographical distribution: As far as I know, no one ever + discussed the meaning of the relation between representative species + before I did, and, as I suppose, Wallace did in his paper before the + Linnean Society. Von Buch's is the nearest approach to such discussion + known to me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 400. TO W.D. CRICK. + </p> + <p> + (400/1. The following letters are interesting not only for their own sake, + but because they tell the history of the last of Mr. Darwin's publications—his + letter to "Nature" on the "Dispersal of Freshwater Bivalves," April 6th, + 1882.) + </p> + <p> + Down, February 21st, 1882. + </p> + <p> + Your fact is an interesting one, and I am very much obliged to you for + communicating it to me. You speak a little doubtfully about the name of + the shell, and it would be indispensable to have this ascertained with + certainty. Do you know any good conchologist in Northampton who could name + it? If so I should be obliged if you would inform me of the result. + </p> + <p> + Also the length and breadth of the shell, and how much of leg (which leg?) + of the Dytiscus {a large water-beetle} has been caught. If you cannot get + the shell named I could take it to the British Museum when I next go to + London; but this probably will not occur for about six weeks, and you may + object to lend the specimen for so long a time. + </p> + <p> + I am inclined to think that the case would be worth communicating to + "Nature." + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I suppose that the animal in the shell must have been alive + when the Dytiscus was captured, otherwise the adductor muscle of the shell + would have relaxed and the shell dropped off. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 401. TO W.D. CRICK. Down, February 25th, 1882. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your clear and distinct answers to my questions. I + am sorry to trouble you, but there is one point which I do not fully + understand. Did the shell remain attached to the beetle's leg from the + 18th to the 23rd, and was the beetle kept during this time in the air? + </p> + <p> + Do I understand rightly that after the shell had dropped off, both being + in water, that the beetle's antenna was again temporarily caught by the + shell? + </p> + <p> + I presume that I may keep the specimen till I go to London, which will be + about the middle of next month. + </p> + <p> + I have placed the shell in fresh-water, to see if the valve will open, and + whether it is still alive, for this seems to me a very interesting point. + As the wretched beetle was still feebly alive, I have put it in a bottle + with chopped laurel leaves, that it may die an easy and quicker death. I + hope that I shall meet with your approval in doing so. + </p> + <p> + One of my sons tells me that on the coast of N. Wales the bare fishing + hooks often bring up young mussels which have seized hold of the points; + but I must make further enquiries on this head. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 402. TO W.D. CRICK. Down, March 23rd, 1882. + </p> + <p> + I have had a most unfortunate and extraordinary accident with your shell. + I sent it by post in a strong box to Mr. Gwyn Jeffreys to be named, and + heard two days afterwards that he had started for Italy. I then wrote to + the servant in charge of his house to open the parcel (within which was a + cover stamped and directed to myself) and return it to me. This servant, I + suppose, opened the box and dropped the glass tube on a stone floor, and + perhaps put his foot on it, for the tube and shell were broken into quite + small fragments. These were returned to me with no explanation, the box + being quite uninjured. I suppose you would not care for the fragments to + be returned or the Dytiscus; but if you wish for them they shall be + returned. I am very sorry, but it has not been my fault. + </p> + <p> + It seems to me almost useless to send the fragments of the shell to the + British Museum to be named, more especially as the umbo has been lost. It + is many years since I have looked at a fresh-water shell, but I should + have said that the shell was Cyclas cornea. (402/1. It was Cyclas cornea.) + Is Sphaenium corneum a synonym of Cyclas? Perhaps you could tell by + looking to Mr. G. Jeffreys' book. If so, may we venture to call it so, or + shall I put an (?) to the name? + </p> + <p> + As soon as I hear from you I will send my letter to "Nature." Do you take + in "Nature," or shall I send you a copy? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2.VIII.—MAN. + </h2> + <p> + I. Descent of Man.—II. Sexual Selection.—III. Expression of + the Emotions. + </p> + <p> + 2.VIII.I. DESCENT OF MAN, 1860-1882. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 403. TO C. LYELL. Down, April 27th {1860}. + </p> + <p> + I cannot explain why, but to me it would be an infinite satisfaction to + believe that mankind will progress to such a pitch that we should {look} + back at {ourselves} as mere Barbarians. I have received proof-sheets (with + a wonderfully nice letter) of very hostile review by Andrew Murray, read + before the Royal Society of Edinburgh. (403/1. "On Mr. Darwin's Theory of + the Origin of Species," by Andrew Murray. "Proc. Roy. Soc., Edinb." Volume + IV., pages 274-91, 1862. The review concludes with the following sentence: + "I have come to be of opinion that Mr. Darwin's theory is unsound, and + that I am to be spared any collision between my inclination and my + convictions" (referring to the writer's belief in Design).) But I am tired + with answering it. Indeed I have done nothing the whole day but answer + letters. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 404. TO L. HORNER. + </p> + <p> + (404/1. The following letter occurs in the "Memoir of Leonard Horner, + edited by his daughter Katherine M. Lyell," Volume II., page 300 + (privately printed, 1890).) + </p> + <p> + Down, March 20th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your Address (404/2. Mr. Horner's Anniversary + Address to the Geological Society ("Proc. Geol. Soc." XVII., 1861).) which + has interested me much...I thought that I had read up pretty well on the + antiquity of man; but you bring all the facts so well together in a + condensed focus, that the case seems much clearer to me. How curious about + the Bible! (404/3. At page lxviii. Mr. Horner points out that the + "chronology, given in the margin of our Bibles," i.e., the statement that + the world was created 4004 B.C., is the work of Archbishop Usher, and is + in no way binding on those who believe in the inspiration of Scripture. + Mr. Horner goes on (page lxx): "The retention of the marginal note in + question is by no means a matter of indifference; it is untrue, and + therefore it is mischievous." It is interesting that Archbishop Sumner and + Dr. Dawes, Dean of Hereford, wrote with approbation of Mr. Horner's views + on Man. The Archbishop says: "I have always considered the first verse of + Genesis as indicating, rather than denying, a PREADAMITE world" ("Memoir + of Leonard Horner, II.", page 303).) I declare I had fancied that the date + was somehow in the Bible. You are coming out in a new light as a Biblical + critic. I must thank you for some remarks on the "Origin of Species" + (404/4. Mr. Horner (page xxxix) begins by disclaiming the qualifications + of a competent critic, and confines himself to general remarks on the + philosophic candour and freedom from dogmatism of the "Origin": he does, + however, give an opinion on the geological chapters IX. and X. As a + general criticism he quotes Mr. Huxley's article in the "Westminster + Review," which may now be read in "Collected Essays," II., page 22.) + (though I suppose it is almost as incorrect to do so as to thank a judge + for a favourable verdict): what you have said has pleased me extremely. I + am the more pleased, as I would rather have been well attacked than have + been handled in the namby-pamby, old-woman style of the cautious Oxford + Professor. (404/5. This no doubt refers to Professor Phillips' "Life on + the Earth," 1860, a book founded on the author's "Rede Lecture," given + before the University of Cambridge. Reference to this work will be found + in "Life and Letters," II., pages 309, 358, 373.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 405. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (405/1. Mr. Wallace was, we believe, the first to treat the evolution of + Man in any detail from the point of view of Natural Selection, namely, in + a paper in the "Anthropological Review and Journal of the Anthropological + Society," May 1864, page clviii. The deep interest with which Mr. Darwin + read his copy is graphically recorded in the continuous series of + pencil-marks along the margins of the pages. His views are fully given in + Letter 406. The phrase, "in this case it is too far," refers to Mr. + Wallace's habit of speaking of the theory of Natural Selection as due + entirely to Darwin.) + </p> + <p> + May 22nd 1864. + </p> + <p> + I have now read Wallace's paper on Man, and think it MOST striking and + original and forcible. I wish he had written Lyell's chapters on Man. + (405/2. See "Life and Letters," III., page 11 et seq. for Darwin's + disappointment over Lyell's treatment of the evolutionary question in his + "Antiquity of Man"; see also page 29 for Lyell's almost pathetic words + about his own position between the discarded faith of many years and the + new one not yet assimilated. See also Letters 132, 164, 170.) I quite + agree about his high-mindedness, and have long thought so; but in this + case it is too far, and I shall tell him so. I am not sure that I fully + agree with his views about Man, but there is no doubt, in my opinion, on + the remarkable genius shown by the paper. I agree, however, to the main + new leading idea. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 406. TO A.R. WALLACE. + </p> + <p> + (406/1. This letter was published in "Life and Letters," III., page 89.) + </p> + <p> + Down, {May} 28th {1864}. + </p> + <p> + I am so much better that I have just finished a paper for the Linnean + Society (406/2. On the three forms, etc., of Lythrum.); but I am not yet + at all strong, I felt much disinclination to write, and therefore you must + forgive me for not having sooner thanked you for your paper on Man (406/3. + "Anthropological Review," May 1864.) received on the 11th. (406/4. Mr. + Wallace wrote, May 10th, 1864: "I send you now my little contribution to + the theory of the origin of man. I hope you will be able to agree with me. + If you are able {to write} I shall be glad to have your criticisms. I was + led to the subject by the necessity of explaining the vast mental and + cranial differences between man and the apes combined with such small + structural differences in other parts of the body,—and also by an + endeavour to account for the diversity of human races combined with man's + almost perfect stability of form during all historical epochs." But first + let me say that I have hardly ever in my life been more struck by any + paper than that on "Variation," etc., etc., in the "Reader." (406/5. + "Reader," April 16th, 1864, an abstract of Mr. Wallace: "On the Phenomena + of Variation and Geographical Distribution as illustrated by the + Papilionidae of the Malayan Region." "Linn. Soc. Trans." XXV.) I feel sure + that such papers will do more for the spreading of our views on the + modification of species than any separate treatises on the simple subject + itself. It is really admirable; but you ought not in the Man paper to + speak of the theory as mine; it is just as much yours as mine. One + correspondent has already noticed to me your "high-minded" conduct on this + head. + </p> + <p> + But now for your Man paper, about which I should like to write more than I + can. The great leading idea is quite new to me—viz. that during late + ages the mind will have been modified more than the body; yet I had got as + far as to see with you, that the struggle between the races of man + depended entirely on intellectual and moral qualities. The latter part of + the paper I can designate only as grand and most eloquently done. I have + shown your paper to two or three persons who have been here, and they have + been equally struck with it. I am not sure that I go with you on all minor + points: when reading Sir G. Grey's account of the constant battles of + Australian savages, I remember thinking that Natural Selection would come + in, and likewise with the Esquimaux, with whom the art of fishing and + managing canoes is said to be hereditary. I rather differ on the rank, + under a classificatory point of view, which you assign to man; I do not + think any character simply in excess ought ever to be used for the higher + divisions. Ants would not be separated from other hymenopterous insects, + however high the instinct of the one, and however low the instincts of the + other. With respect to the differences of race, a conjecture has occurred + to me that much may be due to the correlation of complexion (and + consequently hair) with constitution. Assume that a dusky individual best + escaped miasma, and you will readily see what I mean. I persuaded the + Director-General of the Medical Department of the Army to send printed + forms to the surgeons of all regiments in tropical countries to ascertain + this point, but I daresay I shall never get any returns. Secondly, I + suspect that a sort of sexual selection has been the most powerful means + of changing the races of man. I can show that the different races have a + widely different standard of beauty. Among savages the most powerful men + will have the pick of the women, and they will generally leave the most + descendants. I have collected a few notes on man, but I do not suppose I + shall ever use them. Do you intend to follow out your views? and if so, + would you like at some future time to have my few references and notes? I + am sure I hardly know whether they are of any value, and they are at + present in a state of chaos. + </p> + <p> + There is much more that I should like to write, but I have not strength. + </p> + <p> + P.S. Our aristocracy is handsomer (more hideous according to a Chinese or + Negro) than the middle classes, from {having the} pick of the women; but + oh, what a scheme is primogeniture for destroying Natural Selection! I + fear my letter will be barely intelligible to you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 406* A.R. WALLACE TO CHARLES DARWIN. 5, Westbourne Grove Terrace, + W., May 29th {1864}. + </p> + <p> + You are always so ready to appreciate what others do, and especially to + overestimate my desultory efforts, that I cannot be surprised at your very + kind and flattering remarks on my papers. I am glad, however, that you + have made a few critical observations (and am only sorry that you were not + well enough to make more), as that enables me to say a few words in + explanation. + </p> + <p> + My great fault is haste. An idea strikes me, I think over it for a few + days, and then write away with such illustrations as occur to me while + going on. I therefore look at the subject almost solely from one point of + view. Thus, in my paper on Man (406*/1. Published in the "Anthropological + Review," 1864.), I aim solely at showing that brutes are modified in a + great variety of ways by Natural Selection, but that in none of these + particular ways can Man be modified, because of the superiority of his + intellect. I therefore no doubt overlook a few smaller points in which + Natural Selection may still act on men and brutes alike. Colour is one of + them, and I have alluded to this in correlation to constitution, in an + abstract I have made at Sclater's request for the "Natural History + Review." (406*/2. "Nat. Hist. Review," 1864, page 328.) At the same time, + there is so much evidence of migrations and displacements of races of man, + and so many cases of peoples of distinct physical characters inhabiting + the same or similar regions, and also of races of uniform physical + characters inhabiting widely dissimilar regions,—that the external + characteristics of the chief races of man must, I think, be older than his + present geographical distribution, and the modifications produced by + correlation to favourable variations of constitution be only a secondary + cause of external modification. I hope you may get the returns from the + Army. (406*/3. Measurements taken of more than one million soldiers in the + United States showed that "local influences of some kind act directly on + structure."—"Descent of Man," 1901, page 45.) They would be very + interesting, but I do not expect the results would be favourable to your + view. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the constant battles of savages leading to selection of + physical superiority, I think it would be very imperfect and subject to so + many exceptions and irregularities that it would produce no definite + result. For instance: the strongest and bravest men would lead, and expose + themselves most, and would therefore be most subject to wounds and death. + And the physical energy which led to any one tribe delighting in war, + might lead to its extermination, by inducing quarrels with all surrounding + tribes and leading them to combine against it. Again, superior cunning, + stealth, and swiftness of foot, or even better weapons, would often lead + to victory as well as mere physical strength. Moreover, this kind of more + or less perpetual war goes on amongst savage peoples. It could lead, + therefore, to no differential characters, but merely to the keeping up of + a certain average standard of bodily and mental health and vigour. + </p> + <p> + So with selection of variations adapted to special habits of life as + fishing, paddling, riding, climbing, etc., etc., in different races, no + doubt it must act to some extent, but will it be ever so rigid as to + induce a definite physical modification, and can we imagine it to have had + any part in producing the distinct races that now exist? + </p> + <p> + The sexual selection you allude to will also, I think, have been equally + uncertain in its results. In the very lowest tribes there is rarely much + polygamy, and women are more or less a matter of purchase. There is also + little difference of social condition, and I think it rarely happens that + any healthy and undeformed man remains without wife and children. I very + much doubt the often-repeated assertion that our aristocracy are more + beautiful than the middle classes. I allow that they present specimens of + the highest kind of beauty, but I doubt the average. I have noticed in + country places a greater average amount of good looks among the middle + classes, and besides we unavoidably combine in our idea of beauty, + intellectual expression, and refinement of manner, which often makes the + less appear the more beautiful. Mere physical beauty—i.e. a healthy + and regular development of the body and features approaching to the mean + and type of European man, I believe is quite as frequent in one class of + society as the other, and much more frequent in rural districts than in + cities. + </p> + <p> + With regard to the rank of man in zoological classification, I fear I have + not made myself intelligible. I never meant to adopt Owen's or any other + such views, but only to point out that from one point of view he was + right. I hold that a distinct family for Man, as Huxley allows, is all + that can possibly be given him zoologically. But at the same time, if my + theory is true, that while the animals which surrounded him have been + undergoing modification in all parts of their bodies to a generic or even + family degree of difference, he has been changing almost wholly in the + brain and head—then in geological antiquity the SPECIES man may be + as old as many mammalian families, and the origin of the FAMILY man may + date back to a period when some of the ORDERS first originated. + </p> + <p> + As to the theory of Natural Selection itself, I shall always maintain it + to be actually yours and yours only. You had worked it out in details I + had never thought of, years before I had a ray of light on the subject, + and my paper would never have convinced anybody or been noticed as more + than an ingenious speculation, whereas your book has revolutionised the + study of Natural History, and carried away captive the best men of the + present age. All the merit I claim is the having been the means of + inducing you to write and publish at once. I may possibly some day go a + little more into this subject (of Man), and if I do will accept the kind + offer of your notes. + </p> + <p> + I am now, however, beginning to write the "Narrative of my Travels," which + will occupy me a long time, as I hate writing narrative, and after Bates' + brilliant success rather fear to fail. + </p> + <p> + I shall introduce a few chapters on Geographical Distribution and other + such topics. Sir C. Lyell, while agreeing with my main argument on Man, + thinks I am wrong in wanting to put him back into Miocene times, and + thinks I do not appreciate the immense interval even to the later + Pliocene. But I still maintain my view, which in fact is a logical result + of my theory; for if man originated in later Pliocene, when almost all + mammalia were of closely allied species to those now living, and many even + identical, then man has not been stationary in bodily structure while + animals have been varying, and my theory will be proved to be all wrong. + </p> + <p> + In Murchison's address to the Geographical Society, just delivered, he + points out Africa as being the oldest existing land. He says there is no + evidence of its having been ever submerged during the Tertiary epoch. Here + then is evidently the place to find early man. I hope something good may + be found in Borneo, and that the means may be found to explore the still + more promising regions of tropical Africa, for we can expect nothing of + man very early in Europe. + </p> + <p> + It has given me great pleasure to find that there are symptoms of + improvement in your health. I hope you will not exert yourself too soon or + write more than is quite agreeable to you. I think I made out every word + of your letter, though it was not always easy. + </p> + <p> + (406*/4. For Wallace's later views see Letter 408, note.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 407. TO W. TURNER. + </p> + <p> + (407/1. Sir William Turner is frequently referred to in the "Descent of + Man" as having supplied Mr. Darwin with information.) + </p> + <p> + Down, December 14th {1866}. + </p> + <p> + Your kindness when I met you at the Royal Society makes me think that you + would grant me the favour of a little information, if in your power. I am + preparing a book on Domestic Animals, and as there has been so much + discussion on the bearing of such views as I hold on Man, I have some + thoughts of adding a chapter on this subject. The point on which I want + information is in regard to any part which may be fairly called + rudimentary in comparison with the same part in the Quadrumana or any + other mammal. Now the os coccyx is rudimentary as a tail, and I am anxious + to hear about its muscles. Mr. Flower found for me in some work that its + one muscle (with striae) was supposed only to bring this bone back to its + proper position after parturition. This seems to me hardly credible. He + said he had never particularly examined this part, and when I mentioned + your name, he said you were the most likely man to give me information. + </p> + <p> + Are there any traces of other muscles? It seems strange if there are none. + Do you know how the muscles are in this part in the anthropoid apes? The + muscles of the ear in man may, I suppose, in most cases be considered as + rudimentary; and so they seem to be in the anthropoids; at least, I am + assured in the Zoological Gardens they do not erect their ears. I gather + there are a good many muscles in various parts of the body which are in + this same state: could you specify any of the best cases? The mammae in + man are rudimentary. Are there any other glands or other organs which you + can think of? I know I have no right whatever to ask all these questions, + and can only say that I should be grateful for any information. If you + tell me anything about the os coccyx or other structures, I hope that you + will permit me to quote the statement on your authority, as that would add + so greatly to its value. + </p> + <p> + Pray excuse me for troubling you, and do not hurry yourself in the least + in answering me. + </p> + <p> + I do not know whether you would care to possess a copy, but I told my + publisher to send you a copy of the new edition of the "Origin" last + month. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 408. TO W. TURNER. Down, February 1st {1867}. + </p> + <p> + I thank you cordially for all your full information, and I regret much + that I have given you such great trouble at a period when your time is so + much occupied. But the facts were so valuable to me that I cannot pretend + that I am sorry that I did trouble you; and I am the less so, as from what + you say I hope you may be induced some time to write a full account of all + rudimentary structures in Man: it would be a very curious and interesting + memoir. I shall at present give only a brief abstract of the chief facts + which you have so very kindly communicated to me, and will not touch on + some of the doubtful points. I have received far more information than I + ventured to anticipate. There is one point which has occurred to me, but I + suspect there is nothing in it. If, however, there should be, perhaps you + will let me have a brief note from you, and if I do not hear I will + understand there is nothing in the notion. I have included the down on the + human body and the lanugo on the foetus as a rudimentary representation of + a hairy coat. (408/1. "Descent of Man" I., page 25; II., page 375.) I do + not know whether there is any direct functional connection between the + presence of hair and the panniculus carnosus (408/2. Professor Macalister + draws our attention to the fact that Mr. Darwin uses the term panniculus + in the generalised sense of any sheet of muscle acting on the skin.) (to + put the question under another point of view, is it the primary or + aboriginal function of the panniculus to move the dermal appendages or the + skin itself?); but both are superficial, and would perhaps together become + rudimentary. I was led to think of this by the places (as far as my + ignorance of anatomy has allowed me to judge) of the rudimentary muscular + fasciculi which you specify. Now, some persons can move the skin of their + hairy heads; and is this not effected by the panniculus? How is it with + the eyebrows? You specify the axillae and the front region of the chest + and lower part of scapulae: now, these are all hairy spots in man. On the + other hand, the neck, and as I suppose the covering of the gluteus medius, + are not hairy; so, as I said, I presume there is nothing in this notion. + If there were, the rudiments of the panniculus ought perhaps to occur more + plainly in man than in woman... + </p> + <p> + P.S.—If the skin on the head is moved by the panniculus, I think I + ought just to allude to it, as some men alone having power to move the + skin shows that the apparatus is generally rudimentary. + </p> + <p> + (408/3. In March 1869 Darwin wrote to Mr. Wallace: "I shall be intensely + curious to read the "Quarterly." I hope you have not murdered too + completely your own and my child." The reference is to Mr. Wallace's + review, in the April number of the "Quarterly," of Lyell's "Principles of + Geology" (tenth edition), and of the sixth edition of the "Elements of + Geology." Mr. Wallace points out that here for the first time Sir C. Lyell + gave up his opposition to evolution; and this leads Mr. Wallace to give a + short account of the views set forth in the "Origin of Species." In this + article Mr. Wallace makes a definite statement as to his views on the + evolution of man, which were opposed to those of Mr. Darwin. He upholds + the view that the brain of man, as well as the organs of speech, the hand + and the external form, could not have been evolved by Natural Selection + (the child he is supposed to murder). At page 391 he writes: "In the brain + of the lowest savages, and, as far as we know, of the prehistoric races, + we have an organ...little inferior in size and complexity to that of the + highest types...But the mental requirements of the lowest savages, such as + the Australians or the Andaman Islanders, are very little above those of + many animals...How, then, was an organ developed so far beyond the needs + of its possessor? Natural Selection could only have endowed the savage + with a brain a little superior to that of an ape, whereas he actually + possesses one but very little inferior to that of the average members of + our learned societies." This passage is marked in Mr. Darwin's copy with a + triply underlined "No," and with a shower of notes of exclamation. It was + probably the first occasion on which he realised the extent of this great + and striking divergence in opinion between himself and his colleague. + </p> + <p> + He had, however, some indication of it in Wallace's paper on Man, + "Anthropological Review," 1864. (See Letter 406). He wrote to Lyell, May + 4th, 1869, "I was dreadfully disappointed about Man; it seems to me + incredibly strange." And to Mr. Wallace, April 14th, 1869, "If you had not + told me, I should have thought that {your remarks on Man} had been added + by some one else. As you expected, I differ grievously from you, and I am + very sorry for it." + </p> + <p> + LETTER 409. TO T.H. HUXLEY. Down, Thursday, February 21st {1868-70?}. + </p> + <p> + I received the Jermyn Street programme, but have hardly yet considered it, + for I was all day on the sofa on Tuesday and Wednesday. Bad though I was, + I thought with constant pleasure of your very great kindness in offering + to read the proofs of my essay on man. I do not know whether I said + anything which might have appeared like a hint, but I assure you that such + a thought had never even momentarily passed through my mind. Your offer + has just made all the difference, that I can now write, whether or no my + essay is ever printed, with a feeling of satisfaction instead of vague + dread. + </p> + <p> + Beg my colleague, Mrs. Huxley, not to forget the corrugator supercilii: it + will not be easy to catch the exact moment when the child is on the point + of crying, and is struggling against the wrinkling up {of} its little + eyes; for then I should expect the corrugator, from being little under the + command of the will, would come into play in checking or stopping the + wrinkling. An explosion of tears would tell nothing. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 410. TO FRANCIS GALTON. Down, December 23rd {1870?}. + </p> + <p> + I have only read about fifty pages of your book (to the Judges) (410/1. + "Hereditary Genius: an Inquiry into its Laws and Consequences," by Francis + Galton, London, 1869. "The Judges of England between 1660 and 1865" is the + heading of a section of this work (page 55). See "Descent of Man" (1901), + page 41.), but I must exhale myself, else something will go wrong in my + inside. I do not think I ever in all my life read anything more + interesting and original. And how well and clearly you put every point! + George, who has finished the book, and who expressed himself just in the + same terms, tells me the earlier chapters are nothing in interest to the + later ones! It will take me some time to get to these later chapters, as + it is read aloud to me by my wife, who is also much interested. You have + made a convert of an opponent in one sense, for I have always maintained + that, excepting fools, men did not differ much in intellect, only in zeal + and hard work; and I still think {this} is an eminently important + difference. I congratulate you on producing what I am convinced will prove + a memorable work. I look forward with intense interest to each reading, + but it sets me thinking so much that I find it very hard work; but that is + wholly the fault of my brain, and not of your beautifully clear style. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 411. TO W.R. GREG. March 21st {1871?}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your note. I am very glad indeed to read remarks made by a + man who possesses such varied and odd knowledge as you do, and who is so + acute a reasoner. I have no doubt that you will detect blunders of many + kinds in my book. (411/1. "The Descent of Man.") Your MS. on the + proportion of the sexes at birth seems to me extremely curious, and I hope + that some day you will publish it. It certainly appears that the males are + decreasing in the London districts, and a most strange fact it is. Mr. + Graham, however, I observe in a note enclosed, does not seem inclined to + admit your conclusion. I have never much considered the subject of the + causes of the proportion. When I reflected on queen bees producing only + males when not impregnated, whilst some other parthenogenetic insects + produced, as far as known, only females, the subject seemed to me + hopelessly obscure. It is, however, pretty clear that you have taken the + one path for its solution. I wished only to ascertain how far with various + animals the males exceeded the females, and I have given all the facts + which I could collect. As far as I know, no other data have been + published. The equality of the sexes with race-horses is surprising. My + remarks on mankind are quite superficial, and given merely as some sort of + standard for comparison with the lower animals. M. Thury is the writer who + makes the sex depend on the period of impregnation. His pamphlet was sent + me from Geneva. (411/2. "Memoire sur la loi de Production des Sexes," 2nd + edition, 1863 (a pamphlet published by Cherbuliez, Geneva).) I can lend it + you if you like. I subsequently read an account of experiments which + convinced me that M. Thury was in error; but I cannot remember what they + were, only the impression that I might safely banish this view from my + mind. Your remarks on the less ratio of males in illegitimate births + strikes me as the most doubtful point in your MS.—requiring two + assumptions, viz. that the fathers in such cases are relatively too young, + and that the result is the same as when the father is relatively too old. + </p> + <p> + My son, George, who is a mathematician, and who read your MS. with much + interest, has suggested, as telling in the right direction, but whether + sufficient is another question, that many more illegitimate children are + murdered and concealed shortly after birth, than in the case of legitimate + children; and as many more males than females die during the first few + days of life, the census of illegitimate children practically applies to + an older age than with legitimate children, and would thus slightly reduce + the excess of males. This might possibly be worth consideration. By a + strange coincidence a stranger writes to me this day, making the very same + suggestion. + </p> + <p> + I am quite delighted to hear that my book interests you enough to lead you + to read it with some care. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 412. TO FRANCIS GALTON. Down, January 4th, 1873. + </p> + <p> + Very many thanks for "Fraser" (412/1. "Hereditary Improvement," by Francis + Galton, "Fraser's Magazine," January 1873, page 116.): I have been greatly + interested by your article. The idea of castes being spontaneously formed + and leading to intermarriage (412/2. "My object is to build up, by the + mere process of extensive enquiry and publication of results, a sentiment + of caste among those who are naturally gifted, and to procure for them, + before the system has fairly taken root, such moderate social favours and + preference, no more no less, as would seem reasonable to those who were + justly informed of the precise measure of their importance to the nation" + (loc. cit., page 123).) is quite new to me, and I should suppose to + others. I am not, however, so hopeful as you. Your proposed Society + (412/3. Mr. Galton proposes that "Some society should undertake three + scientific services: the first, by means of a moderate number of + influential local agencies, to institute continuous enquiries into the + facts of human heredity; the second to be a centre of information on + heredity for breeders of animals and plants; and the third to discuss and + classify the facts that were collected" (loc. cit., page 124).) would have + awfully laborious work, and I doubt whether you could ever get efficient + workers. As it is, there is much concealment of insanity and wickedness in + families; and there would be more if there was a register. But the + greatest difficulty, I think, would be in deciding who deserved to be on + the register. How few are above mediocrity in health, strength, morals and + intellect; and how difficult to judge on these latter heads. As far as I + see, within the same large superior family, only a few of the children + would deserve to be on the register; and these would naturally stick to + their own families, so that the superior children of distinct families + would have no good chance of associating much and forming a caste. Though + I see so much difficulty, the object seems a grand one; and you have + pointed out the sole feasible, yet I fear utopian, plan of procedure in + improving the human race. I should be inclined to trust more (and this is + part of your plan) to disseminating and insisting on the importance of the + all-important principle of inheritance. I will make one or two minor + criticisms. Is it not possible that the inhabitants of malarious countries + owe their degraded and miserable appearance to the bad atmosphere, though + this does not kill them, rather than to "economy of structure"? I do not + see that an orthognathous face would cost more than a prognathous face; or + a good morale than a bad one. That is a fine simile (page 119) about the + chip of a statue (412/4. "...The life of the individual is treated as of + absolutely no importance, while the race is as everything; Nature being + wholly careless of the former except as a contributor to the maintenance + and evolution of the latter. Myriads of inchoate lives are produced in + what, to our best judgment, seems a wasteful and reckless manner, in order + that a few selected specimens may survive, and be the parents of the next + generation. It is as though individual lives were of no more consideration + than are the senseless chips which fall from the chisel of the artist who + is elaborating some ideal form from a rude block" (loc. cit., page 119).); + but surely Nature does not more carefully regard races than individuals, + as (I believe I have misunderstood what you mean) evidenced by the + multitude of races and species which have become extinct. Would it not be + truer to say that Nature cares only for the superior individuals and then + makes her new and better races? But we ought both to shudder in using so + freely the word "Nature" (412/5. See Letter 190, Volume I.) after what De + Candolle has said. Again let me thank you for the interest received in + reading your essay. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks about the rabbits; your letter has been sent to Balfour: he is + a very clever young man, and I believe owes his cleverness to Salisbury + blood. This letter will not be worth your deciphering. I have almost + finished Greg's "Enigmas." (412/6. "The Enigmas of Life," 1872.) It is + grand poetry—but too Utopian and too full of faith for me; so that I + have been rather disappointed. What do you think about it? He must be a + delightful man. + </p> + <p> + I doubt whether you have made clear how the families on the Register are + to be kept pure or superior, and how they are to be in course of time + still further improved. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 413. TO MAX MULLER. Down, July 3rd, 1873. + </p> + <p> + (413/1. In June, 1873, Professor Max Muller sent to Mr. Darwin a copy of + the sixth edition of his "Lectures on the Science of Language" (413/2. A + reference to the first edition occurs in "Life and Letters," II., page + 390.), with a letter concluding with these words: "I venture to send you + my three lectures, trusting that, though I differ from some of your + conclusions, you will believe me to be one of your diligent readers and + sincere admirers.") + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your kind note and present of your lectures. I am + extremely glad to have received them from you, and I had intended ordering + them. + </p> + <p> + I feel quite sure from what I have read in your works that you would never + say anything of an honest adversary to which he would have any just right + to object; and as for myself, you have often spoken highly of me—perhaps + more highly than I deserve. + </p> + <p> + As far as language is concerned I am not worthy to be your adversary, as I + know extremely little about it, and that little learnt from very few + books. I should have been glad to have avoided the whole subject, but was + compelled to take it up as well as I could. He who is fully convinced, as + I am, that man is descended from some lower animal, is almost forced to + believe a priori that articulate language has been developed from + inarticulate cries (413/3. "Descent of Man" (1901), page 133.); and he is + therefore hardly a fair judge of the arguments opposed to this belief. + </p> + <p> + (413/4. In October, 1875, Mr. Darwin again wrote cordially to Professor + Max Muller on receipt of a pamphlet entitled "In Self-Defence" (413/5. + Printed in "Chips from a German Workshop," Volume IV., 1875, page 473.), + which is a reply to Professor Whitney's "Darwinism and Language" in the + "North American Review," July 1874. This essay had been brought before the + "general reader" in England by an article of Mr. G. Darwin's in the + "Contemporary Review," November, 1874, page 894, entitled, "Professor + Whitney on the Origin of Language." The article was followed by "My reply + to Mr. Darwin," contributed by Professor Muller to the "Contemporary + Review," January, 1875, page 305.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 414. G. ROLLESTON TO CHARLES DARWIN. British Association, Bristol, + August 30th, 1875. + </p> + <p> + (414/1. In the first edition of the "Descent of Man" Mr. Darwin wrote: "It + is a more curious fact that savages did not formerly waste away, as Mr. + Bagehot has remarked, before the classical nations, as they now do before + modern civilised nations..."(414/2. Bagehot, "Physics and Politics," + "Fortnightly Review," April, 1868, page 455.) In the second edition (page + 183) the statement remains, but a mass of evidence (pages 183-92) is + added, to which reference occurs in the reply to the following letter.) + </p> + <p> + At pages 4-5 of the enclosed Address (414/3. "British Association + Reports," 1875, page 142.) you will find that I have controverted Mr. + Bagehot's view as to the extinction of the barbarians in the times of + classical antiquity, as also the view of Poppig as to there being some + occult influence exercised by civilisation to the disadvantage of savagery + when the two come into contact. + </p> + <p> + I write to say that I took up this subject without any wish to impugn any + views of yours as such, but with the desire of having my say upon certain + anti-sanitarian transactions and malfeasance of which I had had a painful + experience. + </p> + <p> + On reading however what I said, and had written somewhat hastily, it has + struck me that what I have said might bear the former interpretation in + the eyes of persons who might not read other papers of mine, and indeed + other parts of the same Address, in which my adhesion, whatever it is + worth, to your views in general is plainly enough implied. I have ventured + to write this explanation to you for several reasons. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 415. TO G. ROLLESTON. Bassett, Southampton, September 2nd {1875}. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged to you for having sent me your Address, which has + interested me greatly. I quite subscribe to what you say about Mr. + Bagehot's striking remark, and wish I had not quoted it. I can perceive no + sort of reflection or blame on anything which I have written, and I know + well that I deserve many a good slap on the face. The decrease of savage + populations interests me much, and I should like you some time to look at + a discussion on this subject which I have introduced in the second edition + of the "Descent of Man," and which you can find (for I have no copy here) + in the list of additions. The facts have convinced me that lessened + fertility and the poor constitution of the children is one chief cause of + such decrease; and that the case is strictly parallel to the sterility of + many wild animals when made captive, the civilisation of savages and the + captivity of wild animals leading to the same result. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 416. TO ERNST KRAUSE. Down, June 30th, 1877. + </p> + <p> + I have been much interested by your able argument against the belief that + the sense of colour has been recently acquired by man. (416/1. See + "Kosmos," June 1877, page 264, a review of Dr. Hugo Magnus' "Die + Geschichtliche Entwickelung des Farbensinnes," 1877. The first part is + chiefly an account of the author's views; Dr. Krause's argument begins at + page 269. The interest felt by Mr. Darwin is recorded by the numerous + pencil-marks on the margin of his copy.) The following observation bears + on this subject. + </p> + <p> + I attended carefully to the mental development of my young children, and + with two, or as I believe three of them, soon after they had come to the + age when they knew the names of all common objects, I was startled by + observing that they seemed quite incapable of affixing the right names to + the colours in coloured engravings, although I tried repeatedly to teach + them. I distinctly remember declaring that they were colour-blind, but + this afterwards proved a groundless fear. + </p> + <p> + On communicating this fact to another person he told me that he had + observed a nearly similar case. Therefore the difficulty which young + children experience either in distinguishing, or more probably in naming + colours, seems to deserve further investigation. I will add that it + formerly appeared to me that the gustatory sense, at least in the case of + my own infants, and very young children, differed from that of grown-up + persons. This was shown by their not disliking rhubarb mixed with a little + sugar and milk, which is to us abominably nauseous; and in their strong + taste for the sourest and most austere fruits, such as unripe gooseberries + and crabapples. + </p> + <p> + (PLATE: G.J. ROMANES, 1891. Elliott & Fry, photo. Walker and + Cockerell, ph. sc.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 417. TO G.J. ROMANES. {Barlaston}, August 20th, 1878. + </p> + <p> + (417/1. Part of this letter (here omitted) is published in "Life and + Letters," III., page 225, and the whole in the "Life and Letters of G.J. + Romanes," page 74. The lecture referred to was on animal intelligence, and + was given at the Dublin meeting of the British Association.) + </p> + <p> + ...The sole fault which I find with your lecture is that it is too short, + and this is a rare fault. It strikes me as admirably clear and + interesting. I meant to have remonstrated that you had not discussed + sufficiently the necessity of signs for the formation of abstract ideas of + any complexity, and then I came on the discussion on deaf mutes. This + latter seems to me one of the richest of all the mines, and is worth + working carefully for years, and very deeply. I should like to read whole + chapters on this one head, and others on the minds of the higher idiots. + Nothing can be better, as it seems to me, than your several lines or + sources of evidence, and the manner in which you have arranged the whole + subject. Your book will assuredly be worth years of hard labour; and stick + to your subject. By the way, I was pleased at your discussing the + selection of varying instincts or mental tendencies; for I have often been + disappointed by no one having ever noticed this notion. + </p> + <p> + I have just finished "La Psychologie, son Present et son Avenir," 1876, by + Delboeuf (a mathematician and physicist of Belgium) in about a hundred + pages. It has interested me a good deal, but why I hardly know; it is + rather like Herbert Spencer. If you do not know it, and would care to see + it, send me a postcard. + </p> + <p> + Thank Heaven, we return home on Thursday, and I shall be able to go on + with my humdrum work, and that makes me forget my daily discomfort. + </p> + <p> + Have you ever thought of keeping a young monkey, so as to observe its + mind? At a house where we have been staying there were Sir A. and Lady + Hobhouse, not long ago returned from India, and she and he kept {a} young + monkey and told me some curious particulars. One was that her monkey was + very fond of looking through her eyeglass at objects, and moved the glass + nearer and further so as to vary the focus. This struck me, as Frank's + son, nearly two years old (and we think much of his intellect!!) is very + fond of looking through my pocket lens, and I have quite in vain + endeavoured to teach him not to put the glass close down on the object, + but he always will do so. Therefore I conclude that a child under two + years is inferior in intellect to a monkey. + </p> + <p> + Once again I heartily congratulate you on your well-earned present, and I + feel assured, grand future success. + </p> + <p> + (417/2. Later in the year Mr. Darwin wrote: "I am delighted to hear that + you mean to work the comparative Psychology well. I thought your letter to + the "Times" very good indeed. (417/3. Romanes wrote to the "Times" August + 28th, 1878, expressing his views regarding the distinction between man and + the lower animals, in reply to criticisms contained in a leading article + in the "Times" of August 23rd on his lecture at the Dublin meeting of the + British Association.) Bartlett, at the Zoological Gardens, I feel sure, + would advise you infinitely better about hardiness, intellect, price, + etc., of monkey than F. Buckland; but with him it must be viva voce. + </p> + <p> + "Frank says you ought to keep a idiot, a deaf mute, a monkey, and a baby + in your house.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 418. TO G.A. GASKELL. Down, November 15th, 1878. + </p> + <p> + (418/1. This letter has been published in Clapperton's "Scientific + Meliorism," 1885, page 340, together with Mr. Gaskell's letter of November + 13th (page 337). Mr. Gaskell's laws are given in his letter of November + 13th, 1878. They are:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I. The Organological Law: + Natural Selection, or the Survival of the Fittest. + + II. The Sociological Law: + Sympathetic Selection, or Indiscriminate Survival. + + III. The Moral Law: + Social Selection, or the Birth of the Fittest.) +</pre> + <p> + Your letter seems to me very interesting and clearly expressed, and I hope + that you are in the right. Your second law appears to be largely acted on + in all civilised countries, and I just alluded to it in my remarks to the + effect (as far as I remember) that the evil which would follow by checking + benevolence and sympathy in not fostering the weak and diseased would be + greater than by allowing them to survive and then to procreate. + </p> + <p> + With regard to your third law, I do not know whether you have read an + article (I forget when published) by F. Galton, in which he proposes + certificates of health, etc., for marriage, and that the best should be + matched. I have lately been led to reflect a little, (for, now that I am + growing old, my work has become {word indecipherable} special) on the + artificial checks, but doubt greatly whether such would be advantageous to + the world at large at present, however it may be in the distant future. + Suppose that such checks had been in action during the last two or three + centuries, or even for a shorter time in Britain, what a difference it + would have made in the world, when we consider America, Australia, New + Zealand, and S. Africa! No words can exaggerate the importance, in my + opinion, of our colonisation for the future history of the world. + </p> + <p> + If it were universally known that the birth of children could be + prevented, and this were not thought immoral by married persons, would + there not be great danger of extreme profligacy amongst unmarried women, + and might we not become like the "arreoi" societies in the Pacific? In the + course of a century France will tell us the result in many ways, and we + can already see that the French nation does not spread or increase much. + </p> + <p> + I am glad that you intend to continue your investigations, and I hope + ultimately may publish on the subject. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 419. TO K. HOCHBERG. Down, January 13th, 1879. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your note and for the essay which you have sent me. + I am a poor german scholar, and your german is difficult; but I think that + I understand your meaning, and hope at some future time, when more at + leisure, to recur to your essay. As far as I can judge, you have made a + great advance in many ways in the subject; and I will send your paper to + Mr. Edmund Gurney (The late Edmund Gurney, author of "The Power of Sound," + 1880.), who has written on and is much interested in the origin of the + taste for music. In reading your essay, it occurred to me that facility in + the utterance of prolonged sounds (I do not think that you allude to this + point) may possibly come into play in rendering them musical; for I have + heard it stated that those who vary their voices much, and use cadences in + long continued speaking, feel less fatigued than those who speak on the + same note. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 420. TO G.J. ROMANES. Down, February 5th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + (420/1. Romanes was at work on what ultimately came to be a book on animal + intelligence. Romanes's reply to this letter is given in his "Life," page + 95. The table referred to is published as a frontispiece to his "Mental + Evolution in Animals," 1885.) + </p> + <p> + As I feared, I cannot be of the least use to you. I could not venture to + say anything about babies without reading my Expression book and paper on + Infants, or about animals without reading the "Descent of Man" and + referring to my notes; and it is a great wrench to my mind to change from + one subject to another. + </p> + <p> + I will, however, hazard one or two remarks. Firstly, I should have thought + that the word "love" (not sexual passion), as shown very low in the scale, + to offspring and apparently to comrades, ought to have come in more + prominently in your table than appears to be the case. Secondly, if you + give any instance of the appreciation of different stimulants by plants, + there is a much better case than that given by you—namely, that of + the glands of Drosera, which can be touched roughly two or three times and + do not transmit any effect, but do so if pressed by a weight of 1/78000 + grain ("Insectivorous Plants" 263). On the other hand, the filament of + Dionoea may be quietly loaded with a much greater weight, while a touch by + a hair causes the lobes to close instantly. This has always seemed to me a + marvellous fact. Thirdly, I have been accustomed to look at the coming in + of the sense of pleasure and pain as one of the most important steps in + the development of mind, and I should think it ought to be prominent in + your table. The sort of progress which I have imagined is that a stimulus + produced some effect at the point affected, and that the effect radiated + at first in all directions, and then that certain definite advantageous + lines of transmission were acquired, inducing definite reaction in certain + lines. Such transmission afterwards became associated in some unknown way + with pleasure or pain. These sensations led at first to all sorts of + violent action, such as the wriggling of a worm, which was of some use. + All the organs of sense would be at the same time excited. Afterwards + definite lines of action would be found to be the most useful, and so + would be practised. But it is of no use my giving you my crude notions. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 421. TO S. TOLVER PRESTON. Down, May 22nd, 1880. + </p> + <p> + (421/1. Mr. Preston wrote (May 20th, 1880) to the effect that + "self-interest as a motive for conduct is a thing to be commended—and + it certainly {is} I think...the only conceivable rational motive of + conduct: and always is the tacitly recognised motive in all rational + actions." Mr. Preston does not, of course, commend selfishness, which is + not true self-interest. + </p> + <p> + There seem to be two ways of looking at the case given by Darwin. The man + who knows that he is risking his life,—realising that the personal + satisfaction that may follow is not worth the risk—is surely + admirable from the strength of character that leads him to follow the + social instinct against his purely personal inclination. But the man who + blindly obeys the social instinct is a more useful member of a social + community. He will act with courage where even the strong man will fail.) + </p> + <p> + Your letter appears to me an interesting and valuable one; but I have now + been working for some years exclusively on the physiology of plants, and + all other subjects have gone out of my head, and it fatigues me much to + try and bring them back again into my head. I am, moreover, at present + very busy, as I leave home for a fortnight's rest at the beginning of next + week. My conviction as yet remains unchanged, that a man who (for + instance) jumps into a river to save a life without a second's reflection + (either from an innate tendency or from one gained by habit) is deservedly + more honoured than a man who acts deliberately and is conscious, for + however short a time, that the risk and sacrifice give him some inward + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + You are of course familiar with Herbert Spencer's writings on Ethics. + </p> + <p> + (422/1. The observations to which the following letters refer were + continued by Mr. Wallis, who gave an account of his work in an interesting + paper in the "Proceedings of the Zoological Society," March 2nd, 1897. The + results on the whole confirm the belief that traces of an ancestral + pointed ear exist in man.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 422. TO H.M. WALLIS. Down, March 22nd, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your courteous and kind note. The fact which + you communicate is quite new to me, and as I was laughed at about the tips + to human ears, I should like to publish in "Nature" some time your fact. + But I must first consult Eschricht, and see whether he notices this fact + in his curious paper on the lanugo on human embryos; and secondly I ought + to look to monkeys and other animals which have tufted ears, and observe + how the hair grows. This I shall not be able to do for some months, as I + shall not be in London until the autumn so as to go to the Zoological + Gardens. But in order that I may not hereafter throw away time, will you + be so kind as to inform me whether I may publish your observation if on + further search it seems desirable? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 423. TO H.M. WALLIS. Down, March 31st, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your interesting letter. I am glad to hear that you + are looking to other ears, and will visit the Zoological Gardens. Under + these circumstances it would be incomparably better (as more authentic) if + you would publish a notice of your observations in "Nature" or some + scientific journal. Would it not be well to confine your attention to + infants, as more likely to retain any primordial character, and offering + less difficulty in observing. I think, though, it would be worth while to + observe whether there is any relation (though probably none) between much + hairiness on the ears of an infant and the presence of the "tip" on the + folded margin. Could you not get an accurate sketch of the direction of + the hair of the tip of an ear? + </p> + <p> + The fact which you communicate about the goat-sucker is very curious. + About the difference in the power of flight in Dorkings, etc., may it not + be due merely to greater weight of body in the adults? + </p> + <p> + I am so old that I am not likely ever again to write on general and + difficult points in the theory of Evolution. + </p> + <p> + I shall use what little strength is left me for more confined and easy + subjects. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 424. TO MRS. TALBOT. + </p> + <p> + (Mrs. Emily Talbot was secretary of the Education Department of the + American Social Science Association, Boston, Mass. A circular and register + was issued by the Department, and answers to various questions were asked + for. See "Nature," April 28th, page 617, 1881. The above letter was + published in "The Field Naturalist," Manchester, 1883, page 5, edited by + Mr. W.E. Axon, to whom we are indebted for a copy.) + </p> + <p> + Down, July 19th {1881?} + </p> + <p> + In response to your wish, I have much pleasure in expressing the interest + which I feel in your proposed investigation on the mental and bodily + development of infants. Very little is at present accurately known on this + subject, and I believe that isolated observations will add but little to + our knowledge, whereas tabulated results from a very large number of + observations, systematically made, would probably throw much light on the + sequence and period of development of the several faculties. This + knowledge would probably give a foundation for some improvement in our + education of young children, and would show us whether the system ought to + be followed in all cases. + </p> + <p> + I will venture to specify a few points of inquiry which, as it seems to + me, possess some scientific interest. For instance, does the education of + the parents influence the mental powers of their children at any age, + either at a very early or somewhat more advanced stage? This could perhaps + be learned by schoolmasters and mistresses if a large number of children + were first classed according to age and their mental attainments, and + afterwards in accordance with the education of their parents, as far as + this could be discovered. As observation is one of the earliest faculties + developed in young children, and as this power would probably be exercised + in an equal degree by the children of educated and uneducated persons, it + seems not impossible that any transmitted effect from education could be + displayed only at a somewhat advanced age. It would be desirable to test + statistically, in a similar manner, the truth of the oft-repeated + statement that coloured children at first learn as quickly as white + children, but that they afterwards fall off in progress. If it could be + proved that education acts not only on the individual, but, by + transmission, on the race, this would be a great encouragement to all + working on this all-important subject. It is well known that children + sometimes exhibit, at a very early age, strong special tastes, for which + no cause can be assigned, although occasionally they may be accounted for + by reversion to the taste or occupation of some progenitor; and it would + be interesting to learn how far such early tastes are persistent and + influence the future career of the individual. In some instances such + tastes die away without apparently leaving any after effect, but it would + be desirable to know how far this is commonly the case, as we should then + know whether it were important to direct as far as this is possible the + early tastes of our children. It may be more beneficial that a child + should follow energetically some pursuit, of however trifling a nature, + and thus acquire perseverance, than that he should be turned from it + because of no future advantage to him. I will mention one other small + point of inquiry in relation to very young children, which may possibly + prove important with respect to the origin of language; but it could be + investigated only by persons possessing an accurate musical ear. Children, + even before they can articulate, express some of their feelings and + desires by noises uttered in different notes. For instance, they make an + interrogative noise, and others of assent and dissent, in different tones; + and it would, I think, be worth while to ascertain whether there is any + uniformity in different children in the pitch of their voices under + various frames of mind. + </p> + <p> + I fear that this letter can be of no use to you, but it will serve to show + my sympathy and good wishes in your researches. + </p> + <p> + 2.VIII.II. SEXUAL SELECTION, 1866-1872. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 425. TO JAMES SHAW. Down, February 11th {1866}. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged to you for your kindness in sending me an abstract of + your paper on beauty. (425/1. A newspaper report of a communication to the + "Dumfries Antiquarian and Natural History Society.") In my opinion you + take quite a correct view of the subject. It is clear that Dr. Dickson has + either never seen my book, or overlooked the discussion on sexual + selection. If you have any precise facts on birds' "courtesy towards their + own image in mirror or picture," I should very much like to hear them. + Butterflies offer an excellent instance of beauty being displayed in + conspicuous parts; for those kinds which habitually display the underside + of the wing have this side gaudily coloured, and this is not so in the + reverse case. I daresay you will know that the males of many foreign + butterflies are much more brilliantly coloured than the females, as in the + case of birds. I can adduce good evidence from two large classes of facts + (too large to specify) that flowers have become beautiful to make them + conspicuous to insects. (425/2. This letter is published in "A Country + Schoolmaster, James Shaw." Edited by Robert Wallace, Edinburgh, 1899.) + </p> + <p> + (425/3. Mr. Darwin wrote again to Mr. Shaw in April, 1866:—) + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your kind letter and all the great trouble which you + have taken in sending to all the various and interesting facts on birds + admiring themselves. I am very glad to hear of these facts. I have just + finished writing and adding to a new edition of the "Origin," and in this + I have given, without going into details (so that I shall not be able to + use your facts), some remarks on the subject of beauty. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 426. TO A.D. BARTLETT. Down, February 16th {1867?} + </p> + <p> + I want to beg two favours of you. I wish to ascertain whether the + Bower-Bird discriminates colours. (426/1. Mr. Bartlett does not seem to + have supplied any information on the point in question. The evidence for + the Bower-Bird's taste in colour is in "Descent of Man," II., page 112.) + Will you have all the coloured worsted removed from the cage and bower, + and then put all in a row, at some distance from bower, the enclosed + coloured worsted, and mark whether the bird AT FIRST makes any selection. + Each packet contains an equal quantity; the packets had better be + separate, and each thread put separate, but close together; perhaps it + would be fairest if the several colours were put alternately—one + thread of bright scarlet, one thread of brown, etc., etc. There are six + colours. Will you have the kindness to tell me whether the birds prefer + one colour to another? + </p> + <p> + Secondly, I very much want several heads of the fancy and + long-domesticated rabbits, to measure the capacity of skull. I want only + small kinds, such as Himalaya, small Angora, Silver Grey, or any + small-sized rabbit which has long been domesticated. The Silver Grey from + warrens would be of little use. The animals must be adult, and the smaller + the breed the better. Now when any one dies would you send me the carcase + named; if the skin is of any value it might be skinned, but it would be + rather better with skin, and I could make a present to any keeper to whom + the skin is a perquisite. This would be of great assistance to me, if you + would have the kindness thus to aid me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 427. TO W.B. TEGETMEIER. + </p> + <p> + (427/1. We are not aware that the experiment here suggested has ever been + carried out.) + </p> + <p> + Down, March 5th {1867}. + </p> + <p> + I write on the bare and very improbable chance of your being able to try, + or get some trustworthy person to try, the following little experiment. + But I may first state, as showing what I want, that it has been stated + that if two long feathers in the tail of the male Widow-Bird at the Cape + of Good Hope are pulled out, no female will pair with him. + </p> + <p> + Now, where two or three common cocks are kept, I want to know, if the tail + sickle-feathers and saddle-feathers of one which had succeeded in getting + wives were cut and mutilated and his beauty spoiled, whether he would + continue to be successful in getting wives. This might be tried with + drakes or peacocks, but no one would be willing to spoil for a season his + peacocks. I have no strength or opportunity of watching my own poultry, + otherwise I would try it. I would very gladly repay all expenses of loss + of value of the poultry, etc. But, as I said, I have written on the most + improbable chance of your interesting any one to make the trial, or having + time and inclination yourself to make it. Another, and perhaps better, + mode of making the trial would be to turn down to some hens two or three + cocks, one being injured in its plumage. + </p> + <p> + I am glad to say that I have begun correcting proofs. (427/2. "The + Variation of Animals and Plants.") I hope that you received safely the + skulls which you so kindly lent me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 428. TO W.B. TEGETMEIER. Down, March 30th {1867}. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your note, and shall be truly obliged if you will + insert any question on the subject. That is a capital remark of yours + about the trimmed game cocks, and shall be quoted by me. (428/1. "Descent + of Man," Edition I., Volume II., page 117. "Mr. Tegetmeier is convinced + that a game cock, though disfigured by being dubbed with his hackles + trimmed, would be accepted as readily as a male retaining all his natural + ornaments.") Nevertheless I am still inclined from many facts strongly to + believe that the beauty of the male bird determines the choice of the + female with wild birds, however it may be under domestication. Sir R. + Heron has described how one pied peacock was extra attentive to the hens. + This is a subject which I must take up as soon as my present book is done. + </p> + <p> + I shall be most particularly obliged to you if you will dye with magenta a + pigeon or two. (428/2. "Mr. Tegetmeier, at my request, stained some of his + birds with magenta, but they were not much noticed by the others."—"Descent + of Man" (1901), page 637.) Would it not be better to dye the tail alone + and crown of head, so as not to make too great difference? I shall be very + curious to hear how an entirely crimson pigeon will be received by the + others as well as his mate. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—Perhaps the best experiment, for my purpose, would be to colour + a young unpaired male and turn him with other pigeons, and observe whether + he was longer or quicker than usual in mating. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 429. TO A.R. WALLACE. Down, April 29th {1867}. + </p> + <p> + I have been greatly interested by your letter, but your view is not new to + me. (429/1. We have not been able to find Mr. Wallace's letter to which + this is a reply. It evidently refers to Mr. Wallace's belief in the + paramount importance of protection in the evolution of colour. This is + clear from the P.S. to the present letter and from the passages in the + "Origin" referred to. The first reference, Edition IV., page 240, is as + follows: "We can sometimes plainly see the proximate cause of the + transmission of ornaments to the males alone; for a pea-hen with the long + tail of the male bird would be badly fitted to sit on her eggs, and a + coal-black female capercailzie would be far more conspicuous on her nest, + and more exposed to danger, than in her present modest attire." The + passages in Edition I. (pages 89, 101) do not directly bear on the + question of protection.) If you will look at page 240 of the fourth + edition of the "Origin" you will find it very briefly given with two + extreme examples of the peacock and black grouse. A more general statement + is given at page 101, or at page 89 of the first edition, for I have long + entertained this view, though I have never had space to develop it. But I + had not sufficient knowledge to generalise as far as you do about + colouring and nesting. In your paper perhaps you will just allude to my + scanty remark in the fourth edition, because in my Essay on Man I intend + to discuss the whole subject of sexual selection, explaining as I believe + it does much with respect to man. I have collected all my old notes, and + partly written my discussion, and it would be flat work for me to give the + leading idea as exclusively from you. But, as I am sure from your greater + knowledge of Ornithology and Entomology that you will write a much better + discussion than I could, your paper will be of great use to me. + Nevertheless I must discuss the subject fully in my Essay on Man. When we + met at the Zoological Society, and I asked you about the sexual + differences in kingfishers, I had this subject in view; as I had when I + suggested to Bates the difficulty about gaudy caterpillars, which you have + so admirably (as I believe it will prove) explained. (429/2. See a letter + of February 26th, 1867, to Mr. Wallace, "Life and Letters" III., page 94.) + I have got one capital case (genus forgotten) of a {Australian} bird in + which the female has long tail-plumes, and which consequently builds a + different nest from all her allies. (429/3. Menura superba: see "Descent + of Man" (1901), page 687. Rhynchoea, mentioned a line or two lower down, + is discussed in the "Descent," page 727. The female is more brightly + coloured than the male, and has a convoluted trachea, elsewhere a + masculine character. There seems some reason to suppose that "the male + undertakes the duty of incubation.") With respect to certain female birds + being more brightly coloured than the males, and the latter incubating, I + have gone a little into the subject, and cannot say that I am fully + satisfied. I remember mentioning to you the case of Rhynchoea, but its + nesting seems unknown. In some other cases the difference in brightness + seemed to me hardly sufficiently accounted for by the principle of + protection. At the Falkland Islands there is a carrion hawk in which the + female (as I ascertained by dissection) is the brightest coloured, and I + doubt whether protection will here apply; but I wrote several months ago + to the Falklands to make enquiries. The conclusion to which I have been + leaning is that in some of these abnormal cases the colour happened to + vary in the female alone, and was transmitted to females alone, and that + her variations have been selected through the admiration of the male. + </p> + <p> + It is a very interesting subject, but I shall not be able to go on with it + for the next five or six months, as I am fully employed in correcting dull + proof-sheets. When I return to the work I shall find it much better done + by you than I could have succeeded in doing. + </p> + <p> + It is curious how we hit on the same ideas. I have endeavoured to show in + my MS. discussion that nearly the same principles account for young birds + not being gaily coloured in many cases, but this is too complex a point + for a note. + </p> + <p> + On reading over your letter again, and on further reflection, I do not + think (as far as I remember my words) that I expressed myself nearly + strongly enough on the value and beauty of your generalisation (429/4. See + Letter 203, Volume I.), viz., that all birds in which the female is + conspicuously or brightly coloured build in holes or under domes. I + thought that this was the explanation in many, perhaps most cases, but do + not think I should ever have extended my view to your generalisation. + Forgive me troubling you with this P.S. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 430. TO A.R. WALLACE. Down, May 5th {1867}. + </p> + <p> + The offer of your valuable notes is most generous, but it would vex me to + take so much from you, as it is certain that you could work up the subject + very much better than I could. Therefore I earnestly, and without any + reservation, hope that you will proceed with your paper, so that I return + your notes. You seem already to have well investigated the subject. I + confess on receiving your note that I felt rather flat at my recent work + being almost thrown away, but I did not intend to show this feeling. As a + proof how little advance I had made on the subject, I may mention that + though I had been collecting facts on the colouring, and other sexual + differences in mammals, your explanation with respect to the females had + not occurred to me. I am surprised at my own stupidity, but I have long + recognised how much clearer and deeper your insight into matters is than + mine. I do not know how far you have attended to the laws of inheritance, + so what follows may be obvious to you. I have begun my discussion on + sexual selection by showing that new characters often appear in one sex + and are transmitted to that sex alone, and that from some unknown cause + such characters apparently appear oftener in the male than in the female. + Secondly, characters may be developed and be confined to the male, and + long afterwards be transferred to the female. Thirdly, characters may + arise in either sex and be transmitted to both sexes, either in an equal + or unequal degree. In this latter case I have supposed that the survival + of the fittest has come into play with female birds and kept the female + dull-coloured. With respect to the absence of spurs in the female + gallinaceous birds, I presume that they would be in the way during + incubation; at least I have got the case of a German breed of fowls in + which the hens were spurred, and were found to disturb and break their + eggs much. With respect to the females of deer not having horns, I presume + it is to save the loss of organised matter. In your note you speak of + sexual selection and protection as sufficient to account for the colouring + of all animals, but it seems to me doubtful how far this will come into + play with some of the lower animals, such as sea anemones, some corals, + etc., etc. On the other hand Hackel (430/1. See "Descent of Man" (1901) + page 402.) has recently well shown that the transparency and absence of + colour in the lower oceanic animals, belonging to the most different + classes, may be well accounted for on the principle of protection. + </p> + <p> + Some time or other I should like much to know where your paper on the + nests of birds has appeared, and I shall be extremely anxious to read your + paper in the "Westminster Review." (430/2. "Westminster Review," July, + 1867.) Your paper on the sexual colouring of birds will, I have no doubt, + be very striking. Forgive me, if you can, for a touch of illiberality + about your paper. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 431. TO A.R. WALLACE. March 19th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + (431/1. "The Variation of Animals and Plants" having been published on + January 30th, 1868, Mr. Darwin notes in his diary that on February 4th he + "Began on Man and Sexual Selection." He had already (in 1864 and 1867) + corresponded with Mr. Wallace on these questions—see for instance + the "Life and Letters," III., page 89; but, owing to various + interruptions, serious work on the subject did not begin until 1869. The + following quotations show the line of work undertaken early in 1868. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Wallace wrote (March 19th, 1868): "I am glad you have got good + materials on sexual selection. It is no doubt a difficult subject. One + difficulty to me is, that I do not see how the constant MINUTE variations, + which are sufficient for Natural Selection to work with, could be SEXUALLY + selected. We seem to require a series of bold and abrupt variations. How + can we imagine that an inch in the tail of the peacock, or 1/4-inch in + that of the Bird of Paradise, would be noticed and preferred by the + female.") + </p> + <p> + In regard to sexual selection. A girl sees a handsome man, and without + observing whether his nose or whiskers are the tenth of an inch longer or + shorter than in some other man, admires his appearance and says she will + marry him. So, I suppose, with the pea-hen; and the tail has been + increased in length merely by, on the whole, presenting a more gorgeous + appearance. J. Jenner Weir, however, has given me some facts showing that + birds apparently admire details of plumage. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 432. TO F. MULLER. March 28th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I am particularly obliged to you for your observations on the stridulation + of the two sexes of Lamellicorns. (432/1. We are unable to find any + mention of F. Muller's observations on this point; but the reference is + clearly to Darwin's observations on Necrophorus and Pelobius, in which the + stridulating rasp was bigger in the males in the first individuals + examined, but not so in succeeding specimens. "Descent of Man," Edition + II., Volume I., page 382.) I begin to fear that I am completely in error + owing to that common cause, viz. mistaking at first individual variability + for sexual difference. + </p> + <p> + I go on working at sexual selection, and, though never idle, I am able to + do so little work each day that I make very slow progress. I knew from + Azara about the young of the tapir being striped, and about young deer + being spotted (432/2. Fritz Muller's views are discussed in the "Descent + of Man," Edition II., Volume II., page 305.); I have often reflected on + this subject, and know not what to conclude about the loss of the stripes + and spots. From the geographical distribution of the striped and unstriped + species of Equus there seems to be something very mysterious about the + loss of stripes; and I cannot persuade myself that the common ass has lost + its stripes owing to being rendered more conspicuous from having stripes + and thus exposed to danger. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 433. TO J. JENNER WEIR. + </p> + <p> + (433/1. Mr. John Jenner Weir, to whom the following letters are addressed, + is frequently quoted in the "Descent of Man" as having supplied Mr. Darwin + with information on a variety of subjects.) + </p> + <p> + Down, February 27th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I must thank you for your paper on apterous lepidoptera (433/2. Published + by the West Kent Natural History, Microscopical and Photographic Society, + Greenwich, 1867. Mr. Weir's paper seems chiefly to have interested Mr. + Darwin as affording a good case of gradation in the degree of degradation + of the wings in various species.), which has interested me exceedingly, + and likewise for the very honourable mention which you make of my name. It + is almost a pity that your paper was not published in some Journal in + which it would have had a wider distribution. It contained much that was + new to me. I think the part about the relation of the wings and spiracles + and tracheae might have been made a little clearer. Incidentally, you have + done me a good service by reminding me of the rudimentary spurs on the + legs of the partridge, for I am now writing on what I have called sexual + selection. I believe that I am not mistaken in thinking that you have + attended much to birds in confinement, as well as to insects. If you could + call to mind any facts bearing on this subject, with birds, insects, or + any animals—such as the selection by a female of any particular male—or + conversely of a particular female by a male, or on the rivalry between + males, or on the allurement of the females by the males, or any such + facts, I should be most grateful for the information, if you would have + the kindness to communicate it. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I may give as instance of {this} class of facts, that Barrow + asserts that a male Emberiza (?) at the Cape has immensely long + tail-feathers during the breeding season (433/3. Barrow describes the long + tail feathers of Emberiza longicauda as enduring "but the season of love." + "An Account of Travels into the Interior of Southern Africa": London, + 1801, Volume I., page 244.); and that if these are cut off, he has no + chance of getting a wife. I have always felt an intense wish to make + analogous trials, but have never had an opportunity, and it is not likely + that you or any one would be willing to try so troublesome an experiment. + Colouring or staining the fine red breast of a bullfinch with some + innocuous matter into a dingy tint would be an analogous case, and then + putting him and ordinary males with a female. A friend promised, but + failed, to try a converse experiment with white pigeons—viz., to + stain their tails and wings with magenta or other colours, and then + observe what effect such a prodigious alteration would have on their + courtship. (433/4. See Letter 428.) It would be a fairer trial to cut off + the eyes of the tail-feathers of male peacocks; but who would sacrifice + the beauty of their bird for a whole season to please a mere naturalist? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 434. TO J. JENNER WEIR. Down, February 29th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I have hardly ever received a note which has interested me more than your + last; and this is no exaggeration. I had a few cases of birds perceiving + slight changes in the dress of their owners, but your facts are of tenfold + value. I shall certainly make use of them, and need not say how much + obliged I should be for any others about which you feel confident. + </p> + <p> + Do you know of any birds besides some of the gallinaceae which are + polygamous? Do you know of any birds besides pigeons, and, as it is said, + the raven, which pair for their whole lives? + </p> + <p> + Many years ago I visited your brother, who showed me his pigeons and gave + me some valuable information. Could you persuade him (but I fear he would + think it high treason) to stain a male pigeon some brilliant colour, and + observe whether it excited in the other pigeons, especially the females, + admiration or contempt? + </p> + <p> + For the chance of your liking to have a copy and being able to find some + parts which would interest you, I have directed Mr. Murray to send you my + recent book on "Variation under Domestication." + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I have somewhere safe references to cases of magpies, of which + one of a pair has been repeatedly (I think seven times) killed, and yet + another mate was always immediately found. (434/1. On this subject see + "Descent of Man," Edition I., Volume II., page 104, where Mr. Weir's + observations were made use of. This statement is quoted from Jenner + ("Phil. Trans." 1824) in the "Descent of Man" (1901), page 620.) A + gamekeeper told me yesterday of analogous case. This perplexes me much. + Are there many unmarried birds? I can hardly believe it. Or will one of a + pair, of which the nest has been robbed, or which are barren, always + desert his or her mate for a strange mate with the attraction of a nest, + and in one instance with young birds in the nest? The gamekeeper said + during breeding season he had never observed a single or unpaired + partridge. How can the sexes be so equally matched? + </p> + <p> + P.S. 2nd.—I fear you will find me a great bore, but I will be as + reasonable as can be expected in plundering one so rich as you. + </p> + <p> + P.S. 3rd.—I have just received a letter from Dr. Wallace (434/2. See + "Descent of Man," Edition I., Volume I., pages 386-401, where Dr. + Wallace's observations are quoted.), of Colchester, about the proportional + numbers of the two sexes in Bombyx; and in this note, apropos to an + incidental remark of mine, he stoutly maintains that female lepidoptera + never notice the colours or appearance of the male, but always receive the + first male which comes; and this appears very probable. He says he has + often seen fine females receive old battered and pale-tinted males. I + shall have to admit this very great objection to sexual selection in + insects. His observations no doubt apply to English lepidoptera, in most + of which the sexes are alike. The brimstone or orange-tip would be good to + observe in this respect, but it is hopelessly difficult. I think I have + often seen several males following one female; and what decides which male + shall succeed? How is this about several males; is it not so? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 435. TO J. JENNER WEIR. 6, Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square, W. + {March 6th, 1868}. + </p> + <p> + I have come here for a few weeks, for a little change and rest. Just as I + was leaving home I received your first note, and yesterday a second; and + both are most interesting and valuable to me. That is a very curious + observation about the goldfinch's beak (435/1. "Descent of Man," Edition + I., Volume I., page 39. Mr. Weir is quoted as saying that the birdcatchers + can distinguish the males of the goldfinch, Carduelis elegans, by their + "slightly longer beaks."), but one would hardly like to trust it without + measurement or comparison of the beaks of several male and female birds; + for I do not understand that you yourself assert that the beak of the male + is sensibly longer than that of the female. If you come across any acute + birdcatchers (I do not mean to ask you to go after them), I wish you would + ask what is their impression on the relative numbers of the sexes of any + birds which they habitually catch, and whether some years males are more + numerous and some years females. I see that I must trust to analogy (an + unsafe support) for sexual selection in regard to colour in butterflies. + You speak of the brimstone butterfly and genus Edusa (435/2. Colias + Edusa.) (I forget what this is, and have no books here, unless it is + Colias) not opening their wings. In one of my notes to Mr. Stainton I + asked him (but he could or did not answer) whether butterflies such as the + Fritillaries, with wings bright beneath and above, opened and shut their + wings more than Vanessae, most of which, I think, are obscure on the under + surface. That is a most curious observation about the red underwing moth + and the robin (435/3. "Descent of Man," Edition I., Volume I., page 395. + Mr. Weir describes the pursuit of a red-underwing, Triphoena pronuba, by a + robin which was attracted by the bright colour of the moth, and constantly + missed the insect by breaking pieces off the wing instead of seizing the + body. Mr. Wallace's facts are given on the same page.), and strongly + supports a suggestion (which I thought hardly credible) of A.R. Wallace, + viz. that the immense wings of some exotic lepidoptera served as a + protection from difficulty of birds seizing them. I will probably quote + your case. + </p> + <p> + No doubt Dr. Hooker collected the Kerguelen moth, for I remember he told + me of the case when I suggested in the "Origin," the explanation of the + coleoptera of Madeira being apterous; but he did not know what had become + of the specimens. + </p> + <p> + I am quite delighted to hear that you are observing coloured birds (435/4. + "Descent of Man," Edition I., Volume II., page 110.), though the + probability, I suppose, will be that no sure result will be gained. I am + accustomed with my numerous experiments with plants to be well satisfied + if I get any good result in one case out of five. + </p> + <p> + You will not be able to read all my book—too much detail. Some of + the chapters in the second volume are curious, I think. If any man wants + to gain a good opinion of his fellow-men, he ought to do what I am doing, + pester them with letters. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 436. TO J. JENNER WEIR. 4, Chester Place, Regent's Park, N.W., + March 13th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + You make a very great mistake when you speak of "the risk of your notes + boring me." They are of the utmost value to me, and I am sure I shall + never be tired of receiving them; but I must not be unreasonable. I shall + give almost all the facts which you have mentioned in your two last notes, + as well as in the previous ones; and my only difficulty will be not to + give too much and weary my readers. Your last note is especially valuable + about birds displaying the beautiful parts of their plumage. Audubon + (436/1. In his "Ornithological Biography," 5 volumes, Edinburgh, 1831-49.) + gives a good many facts about the antics of birds during courtship, but + nothing nearly so much to the purpose as yours. I shall never be able to + resist giving the whole substance of your last note. It is quite a new + light to me, except with the peacock and Bird of Paradise. I must now look + to turkey's wings; but I do not think that their wings are beautiful when + opened during courtship. Its tail is finely banded. How about the drake + and Gallus bankiva? I forget how their wings look when expanded. Your + facts are all the more valuable as I now clearly see that for butterflies + I must trust to analogy altogether in regard to sexual selection. But I + think I shall make out a strong case (as far as the rather deceitful guide + of analogy will serve) in the sexes of butterflies being alike or + differing greatly—in moths which do not display the lower surface of + their wings not having them gaudily coloured, etc., etc.—nocturnal + moths, etc.—and in some male insects fighting for the females, and + attracting them by music. + </p> + <p> + My discussion on sexual selection will be a curious one—a mere + dovetailing of information derived from you, Bates, Wallace, etc., etc., + etc. + </p> + <p> + We remain at above address all this month, and then return home. In the + summer, could I persuade you to pay us a visit of a day or two, and I + would try and get Bates and some others to come down? But my health is so + precarious, I can ask no one who will not allow me the privilege of a poor + old invalid; for talking, I find by long and dear-bought experience, tries + my head more than anything, and I am utterly incapable of talking more + than half an hour, except on rare occasions. + </p> + <p> + I fear this note is very badly written; but I was very ill all yesterday, + and my hand shakes to-day. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 437. TO J. JENNER WEIR. 4, Chester Place, Regent's Park, N.W., + March 22nd {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I hope that you will not think me ungrateful that I have not sooner + answered your note of the 16th; but in fact I have been overwhelmed both + with calls and letters; and, alas! one visit to the British Museum of an + hour or hour and a half does for me for the whole day. + </p> + <p> + I was particularly glad to hear your and your brother's statement about + the "gay" deceiver-pigeons. (437/1. Some cock pigeons "called by our + English fanciers gay birds are so successful in their gallantries that, as + Mr. H. Weir informs me, they must be shut up, on account of the mischief + which they cause.") I did not at all know that certain birds could win the + affections of the females more than other males, except, indeed, in the + case of the peacock. Conversely, Mr. Hewitt, I remember, states that in + making hybrids the cock pheasant would prefer certain hen fowls and + strongly dislike others. I will write to Mr. H. in a few days, and ask him + whether he has observed anything of this kind with pure unions of fowls, + ducks, etc. I had utterly forgotten the case of the ruff (437/2. The ruff, + Machetes pugnax, was believed by Montague to be polygamous. "Descent of + Man," Edition I., Volume I., page 270.), but now I remember having heard + that it was polygamous; but polygamy with birds, at least, does not seem + common enough to have played an important part. So little is known of + habits of foreign birds: Wallace does not even know whether Birds of + Paradise are polygamous. Have you been a large collector of caterpillars? + I believe so. I inferred from a letter from Dr. Wallace, of Colchester, + that he would account for Mr. Stainton and others rearing more female than + male by their having collected the larger and finer caterpillars. But I + misunderstood him, and he maintains that collectors take all caterpillars, + large and small, for that they collect the caterpillars alone of the rarer + moths or butterflies. What think you? I hear from Professor Canestrini + (437/3. See "Descent of Man" (1901), page 385.) in Italy that females are + born in considerable excess with Bombyx mori, and in greater excess of + late years than formerly! Quatrefages writes to me that he believes they + are equal in France. So that the farther I go the deeper I sink into the + mire. With cordial thanks for your most valuable letters. + </p> + <p> + We remain here till April 1st, and then hurrah for home and quiet work. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 438. TO J. JENNER WEIR. 4, Chester Place, N.W., March 27th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I hardly know which of your three last letters has interested me most. + What splendid work I shall have hereafter in selecting and arranging all + your facts. Your last letter is most curious—all about the + bird-catchers—and interested us all. I suppose the male chaffinch in + "pegging" approaches the captive singing-bird, from rivalry or jealousy—if + I am wrong please tell me; otherwise I will assume so. Can you form any + theory about all the many cases which you have given me, and others which + have been published, of when one {of a} pair is killed, another soon + appearing? Your fact about the bullfinches in your garden is most curious + on this head. (438/1. Mr. Weir stated that at Blackheath he never saw or + heard a wild bullfinch, yet when one of his caged males died, a wild one + in the course of a few days generally came and perched near the widowed + female, whose call-note is not loud. "Descent of Man" (1901), page 623.) + Are there everywhere many unpaired birds? What can the explanation be? + </p> + <p> + Mr. Gould assures me that all the nightingales which first come over are + males, and he believes this is so with other migratory birds. But this + does not agree with what the bird-catchers say about the common linnet, + which I suppose migrates within the limits of England. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for very curious case of Pavo nigripennis. (438/2. See + "Animals and Plants," Edition II., Volume I., page 306.) I am very glad to + get additional evidence. I have sent your fact to be inserted, if not too + late, in four foreign editions which are now printing. I am delighted to + hear that you approve of my book; I thought every mortal man would find + the details very tedious, and have often repented of giving so many. You + will find pangenesis stiff reading, and I fear will shake your head in + disapproval. Wallace sticks up for the great god Pan like a man. + </p> + <p> + The fertility of hybrid canaries would be a fine subject for careful + investigation. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 439. TO J. JENNER WEIR. Down, April 4th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I read over your last ten (!) letters this morning, and made an index of + their contents for easy reference; and what a mine of wealth you have + bestowed on me. I am glad you will publish yourself on gay-coloured + caterpillars and birds (439/1. See "Descent of Man," Edition I., Volume + I., page 417, where Mr. Weir's experiments are given; they were made to + test Mr. Wallace's theory that caterpillars, which are protected against + birds by an unpleasant taste, have been rendered conspicuous, so that they + are easily recognised. They thus escape being pecked or tasted, which to + soft-skinned animals would be as fatal as being devoured. See Mr. Jenner + Weir's papers, "Transact. Entomolog. Soc." 1869, page 2; 1870, page 337. + In regard to one of these papers Mr. Darwin wrote (May 13th, 1869): "Your + verification of Wallace's suggestion seems to me to amount to quite a + discovery."); it seems to me much the best plan; therefore, I will not + forward your letter to Mr. Wallace. I was much in the Zoological Gardens + during my month in London, and picked up what scraps of knowledge I could. + Without my having mentioned your most interesting observations on the + display of the Fringillidae (439/2. "Descent of Man" (1901), page 738.), + Mr. Bartlett told me how the Gold Pheasant erects his collar and turns + from side to side, displaying it to the hen. He has offered to give me + notes on the display of all Gallinaceae with which he is acquainted; but + he is so busy a man that I rather doubt whether he will ever do so. + </p> + <p> + I received about a week ago a remarkably kind letter from your brother, + and I am sorry to hear that he suffers much in health. He gave me some + fine facts about a Dun Hen Carrier which would never pair with a bird of + any other colour. He told me, also, of some one at Lewes who paints his + dog! and will inquire about it. By the way, Mr. Trimen tells me that as a + boy he used to paint butterflies, and that they long haunted the same + place, but he made no further observations on them. As far as colour is + concerned, I see I shall have to trust to mere inference from the males + displaying their plumage, and other analogous facts. I shall get no direct + evidence of the preference of the hens. Mr. Hewitt, of Birmingham, tells + me that the common hen prefers a salacious cock, but is quite indifferent + to colour. + </p> + <p> + Will you consider and kindly give me your opinion on the two following + points. Do very vigorous and well-nourished hens receive the male earlier + in the spring than weaker or poorer hens? I suppose that they do. + Secondly, do you suppose that the birds which pair first in the season + have any advantage in rearing numerous and healthy offspring over those + which pair later in the season? With respect to the mysterious cases of + which you have given me so many, in addition to those previously + collected, of when one bird of a pair is shot another immediately + supplying its place, I was drawing to the conclusion that there must be in + each district several unpaired birds; yet this seems very improbable. You + allude, also, to the unknown causes which keep down the numbers of birds; + and often and often have I marvelled over this subject with respect to + many animals. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 440. TO A.R. WALLACE. + </p> + <p> + (440/1. The following refers to Mr. Wallace's article "A Theory of Birds' + Nests," in Andrew Murray's "Journal of Travel," Volume I., page 73. He + here treats in fuller detail the view already published in the + "Westminster Review," July 1867, page 38. The rule which Mr. Wallace + believes, with very few exceptions, to hold good is, "that when both sexes + are of strikingly gay and conspicuous colours, the nest is...such as to + conceal the sitting bird; while, whenever there is a striking contrast of + colours, the male being gay and conspicuous, the female dull and obscure, + the nest is open, and the sitting bird exposed to view." At this time Mr. + Wallace allowed considerably more influence to sexual selection (in + combination with the need of protection) than in his later writings. The + following extract from a letter from Mr. Wallace to Darwin (July 23rd, + 1877) fixes the period at which the change in his views occurred: "I am + almost afraid to tell you that in going over the subject of the colours of + animals, etc., etc., for a small volume of essays, etc., I am preparing, I + have come to conclusions directly opposed to voluntary sexual selection, + and believe that I can explain (in a general way) all the phenomena of + sexual ornaments and colours by laws of development aided by simple + 'Natural Selection.'" He finally rejected Mr. Darwin's theory that colours + "have been developed by the preference of the females, the more ornamented + males becoming the parents of each successive generation." "Darwinism," + 1889, page 285. See also Letters 442, 443, 449, 450, etc.) + </p> + <p> + Down, April 15th, {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I have been deeply interested by your admirable article on birds' nests. I + am delighted to see that we really differ very little,—not more than + two men almost always will. You do not lay much or any stress on new + characters spontaneously appearing in one sex (generally the male), and + being transmitted exclusively, or more commonly only in excess, to that + sex. I, on the other hand, formerly paid far too little attention to + protection. I had only a glimpse of the truth; but even now I do not go + quite as far as you. I cannot avoid thinking rather more than you do about + the exceptions in nesting to the rule, especially the partial exceptions, + i.e., when there is some little difference between the sexes in species + which build concealed nests. I am not quite satisfied about the incubating + males; there is so little difference in conspicuousness between the sexes. + I wish with all my heart I could go the whole length with you. You seem to + think that male birds probably select the most beautiful females; I must + feel some doubt on this head, for I can find no evidence of it. Though I + am writing so carping a note, I admire the article thoroughly. + </p> + <p> + And now I want to ask a question. When female butterflies are more + brilliant than their males you believe that they have in most cases, or in + all cases, been rendered brilliant so as to mimic some other species, and + thus escape danger. But can you account for the males not having been + rendered equally brilliant and equally protected? (440/2. See Wallace in + the "Westminster Review," July, 1867, page 37, on the protection to the + female insect afforded by its resemblance either to an inanimate object or + to another insect protected by its unpalatableness. The cases are + discussed in relation to the much greater importance (to the species as a + whole) of the preservation of the female insect with her load of eggs than + the male who may safely be sacrificed after pairing. See Letter 189, + note.) Although it may be most for the welfare of the species that the + female should be protected, yet it would be some advantage, certainly no + disadvantage, for the unfortunate male to enjoy an equal immunity from + danger. For my part, I should say that the female alone had happened to + vary in the right manner, and that the beneficial variations had been + transmitted to the same sex alone. Believing in this, I can see no + improbability (but from analogy of domestic animals a strong probability) + that variations leading to beauty must often have occurred in the males + alone, and been transmitted to that sex alone. Thus I should account in + many cases for the greater beauty of the male over the female, without the + need of the protective principle. I should be grateful for an answer on + the point. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 441. TO J. JENNER WEIR. Down, April 18th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + You see that I have taken you at your word, and have not (owing to heaps + of stupid letters) earlier noticed your three last letters, which as usual + are rich in facts. Your letters make almost a little volume on my table. I + daresay you hardly knew yourself how much curious information was lying in + your mind till I began the severe pumping process. The case of the + starling married thrice in one day is capital, and beats the case of the + magpies of which one was shot seven times consecutively. A gamekeeper here + tells me that he has repeatedly shot one of a pair of jays, and it has + always been immediately replaced. I begin to think that the pairing of + birds must be as delicate and tedious an operation as the pairing of young + gentlemen and ladies. If I can convince myself that there are habitually + many unpaired birds, it will be a great aid to me in sexual selection, + about which I have lately had many troubles, and am therefore rejoiced to + hear in your last note that your faith keeps staunch. That is a curious + fact about the bullfinches all appearing to listen to the German singer + (441/1. See Letter 445, note.); and this leads me to ask how much faith + may I put in the statement that male birds will sing in rivalry until they + injure themselves. Yarrell formerly told me that they would sometimes even + sing themselves to death. I am sorry to hear that the painted bullfinch + turns out to be a female; though she has done us a good turn in exhibiting + her jealousy, of which I had no idea. + </p> + <p> + Thank you for telling me about the wildness of the hybrid canaries: + nothing has hardly ever surprised me more than the many cases of reversion + from crossing. Do you not think it a very curious subject? I have not + heard from Mr. Bartlett about the Gallinaceae, and I daresay I never + shall. He told me about the Tragopan, and he is positive that the blue + wattle becomes gorged with blood, and not air. + </p> + <p> + Returning to the first of the last three letters. It is most curious the + number of persons of the name of Jenner who have had a strong taste for + Natural History. It is a pity you cannot trace your connection with the + great Jenner, for a duke might be proud of his blood. + </p> + <p> + I heard lately from Professor Rolleston of the inherited effects of an + injury in the same eye. Is the scar on your son's leg on the same side and + on exactly the same spot where you were wounded? And did the wound + suppurate, or heal by the first intention? I cannot persuade myself of the + truth of the common belief of the influence of the mother's imagination on + the child. A point just occurs to me (though it does not at present + concern me) about birds' nests. Have you read Wallace's recent articles? + (441/2. A full discussion of Mr. Wallace's views is given in "Descent of + Man," Edition I., Volume II., Chapter XV. Briefly, Mr. Wallace's point is + that the dull colour of the female bird is protective by rendering her + inconspicuous during incubation. Thus the relatively bright colour of the + male would not simply depend on sexual selection, but also on the hen + being "saved, through Natural Selection, from acquiring the conspicuous + colours of the male" (loc. cit., page 155).) I always distrust myself when + I differ from him; but I cannot admit that birds learn to make their nests + from having seen them whilst young. I must think it as true an instinct as + that which leads a caterpillar to suspend its cocoon in a particular + manner. Have you had any experience of birds hatched under a foster-mother + making their nests in the proper manner? I cannot thank you enough for all + your kindness. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 442. TO A.R. WALLACE. + </p> + <p> + (442/1. Dr. Clifford Allbutt's view probably had reference to the fact + that the sperm-cell goes, or is carried, to the germ-cell, never vice + versa. In this letter Darwin gives the reason for the "law" referred to. + Mr. A.R. Wallace has been good enough to give us the following note:—"It + was at this time that my paper on 'Protective Resemblance' first appeared + in the 'Westminster Review,' in which I adduced the greater, or rather, + the more continuous, importance of the female (in the lower animals) for + the race, and my 'Theory of Birds' Nests' ('Journal of Travel and Natural + History,' No. 2) in which I applied this to the usually dull colours of + female butterflies and birds. It is to these articles as well as to my + letters that Darwin chiefly refers."—Note by Mr. Wallace, May 27th, + 1902.) + </p> + <p> + Down, April 30th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter, like so many previous ones, has interested me much. Dr. + Allbutt's view occurred to me some time ago, and I have written a short + discussion on it. It is, I think, a remarkable law, to which I have found + no exception. The foundation lies in the fact that in many cases the eggs + or seeds require nourishment and protection by the mother-form for some + time after impregnation. Hence the spermatozoa and antherozoids travel in + the lower aquatic animals and plants to the female, and pollen is borne to + the female organ. As organisms rise in the scale it seems natural that the + male should carry the spermatozoa to the female in his own body. As the + male is the searcher, he has required and gained more eager passions than + the female; and, very differently from you, I look at this as one great + difficulty in believing that the males select the more attractive females; + as far as I can discover, they are always ready to seize on any female, + and sometimes on many females. Nothing would please me more than to find + evidence of males selecting the more attractive females. I have for months + been trying to persuade myself of this. There is the case of man in favour + of this belief, and I know in hybrid unions of males preferring particular + females, but, alas, not guided by colour. Perhaps I may get more evidence + as I wade through my twenty years' mass of notes. + </p> + <p> + I am not shaken about the female protected butterflies. I will grant (only + for argument) that the life of the male is of very little value,—I + will grant that the males do not vary, yet why has not the protective + beauty of the female been transferred by inheritance to the male? The + beauty would be a gain to the male, as far as we can see, as a protection; + and I cannot believe that it would be repulsive to the female as she + became beautiful. But we shall never convince each other. I sometimes + marvel how truth progresses, so difficult is it for one man to convince + another, unless his mind is vacant. Nevertheless, I myself to a certain + extent contradict my own remark, for I believe far more in the importance + of protection than I did before reading your articles. + </p> + <p> + I do not think you lay nearly stress enough in your articles on what you + admit in your letters: viz., "there seems to be some production of + vividness...of colour in the male independent of protection." This I am + making a chief point; and have come to your conclusion so far that I + believe that intense colouring in the female sex is often checked by being + dangerous. + </p> + <p> + That is an excellent remark of yours about no known case of male alone + assuming protective colours; but in the cases in which protection has been + gained by dull colours, I presume that sexual selection would interfere + with the male losing his beauty. If the male alone had acquired beauty as + a protection, it would be most readily overlooked, as males are so often + more beautiful than their females. Moreover, I grant that the life of the + male is somewhat less precious, and thus there would be less rigorous + selection with the male, so he would be less likely to be made beautiful + through Natural Selection for protection. (442/2. This does not apply to + sexual selection, for the greater the excess of males, and the less + precious their lives, so much the better for sexual selection. {Note in + original.}) But it seems to me a good argument, and very good if it could + be thoroughly established. I do not know whether you will care to read + this scrawl. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 443. TO A.R. WALLACE. Down, May 5th {1868?}. + </p> + <p> + I am afraid I have caused you a great deal of trouble in writing to me at + such length. I am glad to say that I agree almost entirely with your + summary, except that I should put sexual selection as an equal, or perhaps + as even a more important agent in giving colour than Natural Selection for + protection. As I get on in my work I hope to get clearer and more decided + ideas. Working up from the bottom of the scale, I have as yet only got to + fishes. What I rather object to in your articles is that I do not think + any one would infer from them that you place sexual selection even as high + as No. 4 in your summary. It was very natural that you should give only a + line to sexual selection in the summary to the "Westminster Review," but + the result at first to my mind was that you attributed hardly anything to + its power. In your penultimate note you say "in the great mass of cases in + which there is great differentiation of colour between the sexes, I + believe it is due almost wholly to the need of protection to the female." + Now, looking to the whole animal kingdom, I can at present by no means + admit this view; but pray do not suppose that because I differ to a + certain extent, I do not thoroughly admire your several papers and your + admirable generalisation on birds' nests. With respect to this latter + point, however, although, following you, I suspect that I shall ultimately + look at the whole case from a rather different point of view. + </p> + <p> + You ask what I think about the gay-coloured females of Pieris. (443/1. See + "Westminster Review," July, 1867, page 37; also Letter 440.) I believe I + quite follow you in believing that the colours are wholly due to mimicry; + and I further believe that the male is not brilliant from not having + received through inheritance colour from the female, and from not himself + having varied; in short, that he has not been influenced by selection. + </p> + <p> + I can make no answer with respect to the elephants. With respect to the + female reindeer, I have hitherto looked at the horns simply as the + consequence of inheritance not having been limited by sex. + </p> + <p> + Your idea about colour being concentrated in the smaller males seems good, + and I presume that you will not object to my giving it as your suggestion. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 444. TO J. JENNER WEIR. Down, May 7th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I have now to thank you for no less than four letters! You are so kind + that I will not apologise for the trouble I cause you; but it has lately + occurred to me that you ought to publish a paper or book on the habits of + the birds which you have so carefully observed. But should you do this, I + do not think that my giving some of the facts for a special object would + much injure the novelty of your work. There is such a multitude of points + in these last letters that I hardly know what to touch upon. Thanks about + the instinct of nidification, and for your answers on many points. I am + glad to hear reports about the ferocious female bullfinch. I hope you will + have another try in colouring males. I have now finished lepidoptera, and + have used your facts about caterpillars, and as a caution the case of the + yellow-underwings. I have now begun on fishes, and by comparing different + classes of facts my views are getting a little more decided. In about a + fortnight or three weeks I shall come to birds, and then I dare say that I + shall be extra troublesome. I will now enclose a few queries for the mere + chance of your being able to answer some of them, and I think it will save + you trouble if I write them on a separate slip, and then you can sometimes + answer by a mere "no" or "yes." + </p> + <p> + Your last letter on male pigeons and linnets has interested me much, for + the precise facts which you have given me on display are of the utmost + value for my work. I have written to Mr. Bartlett on Gallinaceae, but I + dare say I shall not get an answer. I had heard before, but am glad to + have confirmation about the ruffs being the most numerous. I am greatly + obliged to your brother for sending out circulars. I have not heard from + him as yet. I want to ask him whether he has ever observed when several + male pigeons are courting one female that the latter decides with which + male she will pair. The story about the black mark on the lambs must be a + hoax. The inaccuracy of many persons is wonderful. I should like to tell + you a story, but it is too long, about beans growing on the wrong side of + the pod during certain years. + </p> + <p> + Queries: + </p> + <p> + Does any female bird regularly sing? + </p> + <p> + Do you know any case of both sexes, more especially of the female, {being} + more brightly coloured whilst young than when come to maturity and fit to + breed? An imaginary instance would be if the female kingfisher (or male) + became dull coloured when adult. + </p> + <p> + Do you know whether the male and female wild canary bird differ in plumage + (though I believe I could find this out for myself), and do any of the + domestic breeds differ sexually? + </p> + <p> + Do you know any gallinaceous bird in which the female has well developed + spurs? + </p> + <p> + It is very odd that my memory should fail me, but I cannot remember + whether, in accordance with your views, the wing of Gallus bankiva (or + Game-Cock, which is so like the wild) is ornamental when he opens and + scrapes it before the female. I fear it is not; but though I have often + looked at wing of the wild and tame bird, I cannot call to mind the exact + colours. What a number of points you have attended to; I did not know that + you were a horticulturist. I have often marvelled at the different growth + of the flowering and creeping branches of the ivy; but had no idea that + they kept their character when propagated by cuttings. There is a S. + American genus (name forgotten just now) which differs in an analogous + manner but even greater degree, but it is difficult to cultivate in our + hot-house. I have tried and failed. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 445. TO J. JENNER WEIR. Down, May 30th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I am glad to hear your opinion on the nest-making instinct, for I am Tory + enough not to like to give up all old beliefs. Wallace's view (445/1. See + Letter 440, etc.) is also opposed to a great mass of analogical facts. The + cases which you mention of suddenly reacquired wildness seem curious. I + have also to thank you for a previous valuable letter. With respect to + spurs on female Gallinaceae, I applied to Mr. Blyth, who has wonderful + systematic knowledge, and he tells me that the female Pavo muticus and + Fire-back pheasants are spurred. From various interruptions I get on very + slowly with my Bird MS., but have already often and often referred to your + volume of letters, and have used various facts, and shall use many more. + And now I am ashamed to say that I have more questions to ask; but I + forget—you told me not to apologise. + </p> + <p> + 1. In your letter of April 14th you mention the case of about twenty birds + which seemed to listen with much interest to an excellent piping + bullfinch. (445/2. Quoted in the "Descent of Man" (1901), page 564. "A + bullfinch which had been taught to pipe a German waltz...when this bird + was first introduced into a room where other birds were kept and he began + to sing, all the others, consisting of about twenty linnets and canaries, + ranged themselves on the nearest side of their cages, and listened with + the greatest interest to the new performer.") What kind of birds were + these twenty? + </p> + <p> + 2. Is it true, as often stated, that a bird reared by foster-parents, and + who has never heard the song of its own species, imitates to a certain + extent the song of the species which it may be in the habit of hearing? + </p> + <p> + Now for a more troublesome point. I find it very necessary to make out + relation of immature plumage to adult plumage, both when the sexes differ + and are alike in the adult state. Therefore, I want much to learn about + the first plumage (answering, for instance, to the speckled state of the + robin before it acquires the red breast) of the several varieties of the + canary. Can you help me? What is the character or colour of the first + plumage of bright yellow or mealy canaries which breed true to these + tints? So with the mottled-brown canaries, for I believe that there are + breeds which always come brown and mottled. Lastly, in the + "prize-canaries," which have black wing- and tail-feathers during their + first (?) plumage, what colours are the wings and tails after the first + (?) moult or when adult? I should be particularly glad to learn this. + Heaven have mercy on you, for it is clear that I have none. I am going to + investigate this same point with all the breeds of fowls, as Mr. + Tegetmeier will procure for me young birds, about two months old, of all + the breeds. + </p> + <p> + In the course of this next month I hope you will come down here on the + Saturday and stay over the Sunday. Some months ago Mr. Bates said he would + pay me a visit during June, and I have thought it would be pleasanter for + you to come here when I can get him, so that you would have a companion if + I get knocked up, as is sadly too often my bad habit and great misfortune. + </p> + <p> + Did you ever hear of the existence of any sub-breed of the canary in which + the male differs in plumage from the female? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 446. TO F. MULLER. Down, June 3rd {1868}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter of April 22nd has much interested me. I am delighted that you + approve of my book, for I value your opinion more than that of almost any + one. I have yet hopes that you will think well of pangenesis. I feel sure + that our minds are somewhat alike, and I find it a great relief to have + some definite, though hypothetical view, when I reflect on the wonderful + transformations of animals, the re-growth of parts, and especially the + direct action of pollen on the mother form, etc. It often appears to me + almost certain that the characters of the parents are "photographed" on + the child, only by means of material atoms derived from each cell in both + parents, and developed in the child. I am sorry about the mistake in + regard to Leptotes. (446/1. See "Animals and Plants," Edition I., Volume + II., page 134, where it is stated that Oncidium is fertile with Leptotes, + a mistake corrected in the 2nd edition.) I daresay it was my fault, yet I + took pains to avoid such blunders. Many thanks for all the curious facts + about the unequal number of the sexes in crustacea, but the more I + investigate this subject the deeper I sink in doubt and difficulty. + Thanks, also, for the confirmation of the rivalry of Cicadae. (446/2. See + "Descent of Man," Edition I., Volume I., page 351, for F. Muller's + observations; and for a reference to Landois' paper.) I have often + reflected with surprise on the diversity of the means for producing music + with insects, and still more with birds. We thus get a high idea of the + importance of song in the animal kingdom. Please to tell me where I can + find any account of the auditory organs in the orthoptera? Your facts are + quite new to me. Scudder has described an annectant insect in Devonian + strata, furnished with a stridulating apparatus. (446/3. The insect is no + doubt Xenoneura antiquorum, from the Devonian rocks of New Brunswick. + Scudder compared a peculiar feature in the wing of this species to the + stridulating apparatus of the Locustariae, but afterwards stated that he + had been led astray in his original description, and that there was no + evidence in support of the comparison with a stridulating organ. See the + "Devonian Insects of New Brunswick," reprinted in S.H. Scudder's "Fossil + Insects of N. America," Volume I., page 179, New York, 1890.) I believe he + is to be trusted, and if so the apparatus is of astonishing antiquity. + After reading Landois' paper I have been working at the stridulating organ + in the lamellicorn beetles, in expectation of finding it sexual, but I + have only found it as yet in two cases, and in these it was equally + developed in both sexes. I wish you would look at any of your common + lamellicorns and take hold of both males and females and observe whether + they make the squeaking or grating noise equally. If they do not, you + could perhaps send me a male and female in a light little box. How curious + it is that there should be a special organ for an object apparently so + unimportant as squeaking. Here is another point: have you any Toucans? if + so, ask any trustworthy hunter whether the beaks of the males, or of both + sexes, are more brightly coloured during the breeding season than at other + times of the year? I have also to thank you for a previous letter of April + 3rd, with some interesting facts on the variation of maize, the sterility + of Bignonia and on conspicuous seeds. Heaven knows whether I shall ever + live to make use of half the valuable facts which you have communicated to + me... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 447. TO J. JENNER WEIR. Down, June 18th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks. I am glad that you mentioned the linnet, for I had much + difficulty in persuading myself that the crimson breast could be due to + change in the old feathers, as the books say. I am glad to hear of the + retribution of the wicked old she-bullfinch. You remember telling me how + many Weirs and Jenners have been naturalists; now this morning I have been + putting together all my references about one bird of a pair being killed, + and a new mate being soon found; you, Jenner Weir, have given me some most + striking cases with starlings; Dr. Jenner gives the most curious case of + all in "Philosophical Transactions" (447/1. "Phil. Trans." 1824.), and a + Mr. Weir gives the next most striking in Macgillivray. (447/2. + Macgillivray's "History of British Birds," Volume I., page 570. See + "Descent of Man" (1901), page 621.) Now, is this not odd? Pray remember + how very glad we shall be to see you here whenever you can come. + </p> + <p> + Did some ancient progenitor of the Weirs and Jenners puzzle his brains + about the mating of birds, and has the question become indelibly fixed in + all your minds? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 448. TO A.R. WALLACE. August 19th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I had become, before my nine weeks' horrid interruption of all work, + extremely interested in sexual selection, and was making fair progress. In + truth it has vexed me much to find that the farther I get on the more I + differ from you about the females being dull-coloured for protection. I + can now hardly express myself as strongly, even, as in the "Origin." This + has much decreased the pleasure of my work. In the course of September, if + I can get at all stronger, I hope to get Mr. J. Jenner Weir (who has been + wonderfully kind in giving me information) to pay me a visit, and I will + then write for the chance of your being able to come, and I hope bring + with you Mrs. Wallace. If I could get several of you together it would be + less dull for you, for of late I have found it impossible to talk with any + human being for more than half an hour, except on extraordinary good days. + </p> + <p> + (448/1. On September 16th Darwin wrote to Wallace on the same subject:—) + </p> + <p> + You will be pleased to hear that I am undergoing severe distress about + protection and sexual selection; this morning I oscillated with joy + towards you; this evening I have swung back to the old position, out of + which I fear I shall never get. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 449. TO A.R. WALLACE. + </p> + <p> + (449/1. From "Life and Letters," Volume III., page 123.) + </p> + <p> + Down, September 23rd {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for all your trouble in writing me your long + letter, which I will keep by me and ponder over. To answer it would + require at least 200 folio pages! If you could see how often I have + rewritten some pages you would know how anxious I am to arrive as near as + I can to the truth. I lay great stress on what I know takes place under + domestication; I think we start with different fundamental notions on + inheritance. I find it is most difficult, but not, I think, impossible to + see how, for instance, a few red feathers appearing on the head of a male + bird, and which are at first transmitted to both sexes, would come to be + transmitted to males alone. It is not enough that females should be + produced from the males with red feathers, which should be destitute of + red feathers; but these females must have a latent tendency to produce + such feathers, otherwise they would cause deterioration in the red + head-feathers of their male offspring. Such latent tendency would be shown + by their producing the red feathers when old, or diseased in their ovaria. + But I have no difficulty in making the whole head red if the few red + feathers in the male from the first tended to be sexually transmitted. I + am quite willing to admit that the female may have been modified, either + at the same time or subsequently, for protection by the accumulation of + variations limited in their transmission to the female sex. I owe to your + writings the consideration of this latter point. But I cannot yet persuade + myself that females alone have often been modified for protection. Should + you grudge the trouble briefly to tell me, whether you believe that the + plainer head and less bright colours of female chaffinch, the less red on + the head and less clean colours of female goldfinch, the much less red on + the breast of the female bullfinch, the paler crest of golden-crested + wren, etc., have been acquired by them for protection? I cannot think so, + any more than I can that the considerable differences between female and + male house-sparrow, or much greater brightness of male Parus caeruleus + (both of which build under cover) than of female Parus, are related to + protection. I even misdoubt much whether the less blackness of female + blackbird is for protection. + </p> + <p> + Again, can you give me reasons for believing that the moderate differences + between the female pheasant, the female Gallus bankiva, the female of + black grouse, the pea-hen, the female partridge, have all special + references to protection under slightly different conditions? I, of + course, admit that they are all protected by dull colours, derived, as I + think, from some dull-ground progenitor; and I account partly for their + difference by partial transference of colour from the male, and by other + means too long to specify; but I earnestly wish to see reason to believe + that each is specially adapted for concealment to its environment. + </p> + <p> + I grieve to differ from you, and it actually terrifies me and makes me + constantly distrust myself. I fear we shall never quite understand each + other. I value the cases of bright-coloured, incubating male fisher, and + brilliant female butterflies, solely as showing that one sex may be made + brilliant without any necessary transference of beauty to the other sex; + for in these cases I cannot suppose that beauty in the other sex was + checked by selection. + </p> + <p> + I fear this letter will trouble you to read it. A very short answer about + your belief in regard to the female finches and Gallinaceae would suffice. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 450. A.R. WALLACE TO CHARLES DARWIN. 9, St. Mark's Crescent, N.W., + September 27th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + Your view seems to be that variations occurring in one sex are transmitted + either to that sex exclusively or to both sexes equally, or more rarely + partially transferred. But we have every gradation of sexual colours, from + total dissimilarity to perfect identity. If this is explained solely by + the laws of inheritance, then the colours of one or other sex will be + always (in relation to the environment) a matter of chance. I cannot think + this. I think selection more powerful than laws of inheritance, of which + it makes use, as shown by cases of two, three or four forms of female + butterflies, all of which have, I have little doubt, been specialised for + protection. + </p> + <p> + To answer your first question is most difficult, if not impossible, + because we have no sufficient evidence in individual cases of slight + sexual difference, to determine whether the male alone has acquired his + superior brightness by sexual selection, or the female been made duller by + need of protection, or whether the two causes have acted. Many of the + sexual differences of existing species may be inherited differences from + parent forms, which existed under different conditions and had greater or + less need of protection. + </p> + <p> + I think I admitted before, the general tendency (probably) of males to + acquire brighter tints. Yet this cannot be universal, for many female + birds and quadrupeds have equally bright tints. + </p> + <p> + To your second question I can reply more decidedly. I do think the females + of the Gallinaceae you mention have been modified or been prevented from + acquiring the brighter plumage of the male, by need of protection. I know + that the Gallus bankiva frequents drier and more open situations than the + pea-hen of Java, which is found among grassy and leafy vegetation, + corresponding with the colours of the two. So the Argus pheasant, male and + female, are, I feel sure, protected by their tints corresponding to the + dead leaves of the lofty forest in which they dwell, and the female of the + gorgeous fire-back pheasant Lophura viellottii is of a very similar rich + brown colour. + </p> + <p> + I do not, however, at all think the question can be settled by individual + cases, but by only large masses of facts. The colours of the mass of + female birds seem to me strictly analogous to the colours of both sexes of + snipes, woodcocks, plovers, etc., which are undoubtedly protective. + </p> + <p> + Now, supposing, on your view, that the colours of a male bird become more + and more brilliant by sexual selection, and a good deal of that colour is + transmitted to the female till it becomes positively injurious to her + during incubation, and the race is in danger of extinction; do you not + think that all the females who had acquired less of the male's bright + colours, or who themselves varied in a protective direction, would be + preserved, and that thus a good protective colouring would soon be + acquired? + </p> + <p> + If you admit that this could occur, and can show no good reason why it + should not often occur, then we no longer differ, for this is the main + point of my view. + </p> + <p> + Have you ever thought of the red wax-tips of the Bombycilla beautifully + imitating the red fructification of lichens used in the nest, and + therefore the FEMALES have it too? Yet this is a very sexual-looking + character. + </p> + <p> + If sexes have been differentiated entirely by sexual selection the females + can have no relation to environment. But in groups when both sexes require + protection during feeding or repose, as snipes, woodcock, ptarmigan, + desert birds and animals, green forest birds, etc., arctic birds of prey, + and animals, then both sexes are modified for protection. Why should that + power entirely cease to act when sexual differentiation exists and when + the female requires protection, and why should the colour of so many + FEMALE BIRDS seem to be protective, if it has not been made protective by + selection. + </p> + <p> + It is contrary to the principles of "Origin of Species," that colour + should have been produced in both sexes by sexual selection and never have + been modified to bring the female into harmony with the environment. + "Sexual selection is less rigorous than Natural Selection," and will + therefore be subordinate to it. + </p> + <p> + I think the case of female Pieris pyrrha proves that females alone can be + greatly modified for protection. (450/1. My latest views on this subject, + with many new facts and arguments, will be found in the later editions of + my "Darwinism," Chapter X. (A.R.W.)) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 451. A.R. WALLACE TO CHARLES DARWIN. + </p> + <p> + (451/1. On October 4th, 1868, Mr. Wallace wrote again on the same subject + without adding anything of importance to his arguments of September 27th. + We give his final remarks:—) + </p> + <p> + October 4th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry to find that our difference of opinion on this point is a + source of anxiety to you. Pray do not let it be so. The truth will come + out at last, and our difference may be the means of setting others to work + who may set us both right. After all, this question is only an episode + (though an important one) in the great question of the "Origin of + Species," and whether you or I are right will not at all affect the main + doctrine—that is one comfort. + </p> + <p> + I hope you will publish your treatise on "Sexual Selection" as a separate + book as soon as possible; and then, while you are going on with your other + work, there will no doubt be found some one to battle with me over your + facts on this hard problem. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 452. TO A.R. WALLACE. Down, October 6th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter is very valuable to me, and in every way very kind. I will not + inflict a long answer, but only answer your queries. There are breeds + (viz. Hamburg) in which both sexes differ much from each other and from + both sexes of Gallus bankiva; and both sexes are kept constant by + selection. The comb of the Spanish male has been ordered to be upright, + and that of Spanish female to lop over, and this has been effected. There + are sub-breeds of game fowl, with females very distinct and males almost + identical; but this, apparently, is the result of spontaneous variation, + without special selection. I am very glad to hear of case of female Birds + of Paradise. + </p> + <p> + I have never in the least doubted possibility of modifying female birds + alone for protection, and I have long believed it for butterflies. I have + wanted only evidence for the female alone of birds having had their colour + modified for protection. But then I believe that the variations by which a + female bird or butterfly could get or has got protective colouring have + probably from the first been variations limited in their transmission to + the female sex. And so with the variations of the male: when the male is + more beautiful than the female, I believe the variations were sexually + limited in their transmission to the males. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 453. TO B.D. WALSH. Down, October 31st, 1868. + </p> + <p> + (453/1. A short account of the Periodical Cicada (C. septendecim) is given + by Dr. Sharp in the Cambridge Natural History, Insects II., page 570. We + are indebted to Dr. Sharp for calling our attention to Mr. C.L. Marlatt's + full account of the insect in "Bulletin No. 14 {NS.} of the U.S. + Department of Agriculture," 1898. The Cicada lives for long periods + underground as larva and pupa, so that swarms of the adults of one race + (septendecim) appear at intervals of 17 years, while those of the southern + form or race (tredecim) appear at intervals of 13 years. This fact was + first made out by Phares in 1845, but was overlooked or forgotten, and was + only re-discovered by Walsh and Riley in 1868, who published a joint paper + in the "American Entomologist," Volume I., page 63. Walsh appears to have + adhered to the view that the 13- and 17-year forms are distinct species, + though, as we gather from Marlatt's paper (page 14), he published a letter + to Mr. Darwin in which he speaks of the 13-year form as an incipient + species; see "Index to Missouri Entomolog. Reports Bull. 6," U.S.E.C., + page 58 (as given by Marlatt). With regard to the cause of the difference + in period of the two forms, Marlatt (pages 15, 16) refers doubtfully to + difference of temperature as the determining factor. Experiments have been + instituted by moving 17-year eggs to the south, and vice versa with + 13-year eggs. The results were, however, not known at the time of + publication of Marlatt's paper.) + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for the extracts about the "drumming," which will + be of real use to me. + </p> + <p> + I do not at all know what to think of your extraordinary case of the + Cicadas. Professor Asa Gray and Dr. Hooker were staying here, and I told + them of the facts. They thought that the 13-year and the 17-year forms + ought not to be ranked as distinct species, unless other differences + besides the period of development could be discovered. They thought the + mere rarity of variability in such a point was not sufficient, and I think + I concur with them. The fact of both the forms presenting the same case of + dimorphism is very curious. I have long wished that some one would dissect + the forms of the male stag-beetle with smaller mandibles, and see if they + were well developed, i.e., whether there was an abundance of spermatozoa; + and the same observations ought, I think, to be made on the rarer form of + your Cicada. Could you not get some observer, such as Dr. Hartman (453/2. + Mr. Walsh sent Mr. Darwin an extract from Dr. Hartman's "Journal of the + doings of a Cicada septendecim," in which the females are described as + flocking round the drumming males. "Descent of Man" (1901), page 433.), to + note whether the females flocked in equal numbers to the "drumming" of the + rarer form as to the common form? You have a very curious and perplexing + subject of investigation, and I wish you success in your work. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 454. TO A.R. WALLACE. Down, June 15th {1869?}. + </p> + <p> + You must not suppose from my delay that I have not been much interested by + your long letter. I write now merely to thank you, and just to say that + probably you are right on all the points you touch on, except, as I think, + about sexual selection, which I will not give up. My belief in it, + however, is contingent on my general belief in sexual selection. It is an + awful stretcher to believe that a peacock's tail was thus formed; but, + believing it, I believe in the same principle somewhat modified applied to + man. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 455. TO G.H.K. THWAITES. Down, February 13th {N.D.} + </p> + <p> + I wrote a little time ago asking you an odd question about elephants, and + now I am going to ask you an odder. I hope that you will not think me an + intolerable bore. It is most improbable that you could get me an answer, + but I ask on mere chance. Macacus silenus (455/1. Macacus silenus L., an + Indian ape.) has a great mane of hair round neck, and passing into large + whiskers and beard. Now what I want most especially to know is whether + these monkeys, when they fight in confinement (and I have seen it stated + that they are sometimes kept in confinement), are protected from bites by + this mane and beard. Any one who watched them fighting would, I think, be + able to judge on this head. My object is to find out with various animals + how far the mane is of any use, or a mere ornament. Is the male Macacus + silenus furnished with longer hair than the female about the neck and + face? As I said, it is a hundred or a thousand to one against your finding + out any one who has kept these monkeys in confinement. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 456. TO F. MULLER. Down, August 28th {1870}. + </p> + <p> + I have to thank you very sincerely for two letters: one of April 25th, + containing a very curious account of the structure and morphology of + Bonatea. I feel that it is quite a sin that your letters should not all be + published! but, in truth, I have no spare strength to undertake any extra + work, which, though slight, would follow from seeing your letters in + English through the press—not but that you write almost as clearly + as any Englishman. This same letter also contained some seeds for Mr. + Farrer, which he was very glad to receive. + </p> + <p> + Your second letter, of July 5th, was chiefly devoted to mimicry in + lepidoptera: many of your remarks seem to me so good, that I have + forwarded your letter to Mr. Bates; but he is out of London having his + summer holiday, and I have not yet heard from him. Your remark about + imitators and imitated being of such different sizes, and the lower + surface of the wings not being altered in colour, strike me as the most + curious points. I should not be at all surprised if your suggestion about + sexual selection were to prove true; but it seems rather too speculative + to be introduced in my book, more especially as my book is already far too + speculative. The very same difficulty about brightly coloured caterpillars + had occurred to me, and you will see in my book what, I believe, is the + true explanation from Wallace. The same view probably applies in part to + gaudy butterflies. My MS. is sent to the printers, and, I suppose, will be + published in about three months: of course I will send you a copy. By the + way, I settled with Murray recently with respect to your book (456/1. The + translation of "Fur Darwin," published in 1869.), and had to pay him only + 21 pounds 2 shillings 3 pence, which I consider a very small price for the + dissemination of your views; he has 547 copies as yet unsold. This most + terrible war will stop all science in France and Germany for a long time. + I have heard from nobody in Germany, and know not whether your brother, + Hackel, Gegenbaur, Victor Carus, or my other friends are serving in the + army. Dohrn has joined a cavalry regiment. I have not yet met a soul in + England who does not rejoice in the splendid triumph of Germany over + France (456/2. See Letter 239, Volume I.): it is a most just retribution + against that vainglorious, war-liking nation. As the posts are all in + confusion, I will not send this letter through France. The Editor has sent + me duplicate copies of the "Revue des Cours Scientifiques," which contain + several articles about my views; so I send you copies for the chance of + your liking to see them. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 457. A.R. WALLACE TO CHARLES DARWIN. Holly House, Barking, E., + January 27th, 1871. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your first volume (457/1. "The Descent of Man".), which I + have just finished reading through with the greatest pleasure and + interest; and I have also to thank you for the great tenderness with which + you have treated me and my heresies. + </p> + <p> + On the subject of "sexual selection" and "protection," you do not yet + convince me that I am wrong; but I expect your heaviest artillery will be + brought up in your second volume, and I may have to capitulate. You seem, + however, to have somewhat misunderstood my exact meaning, and I do not + think the difference between us is quite so great as you seem to think it. + There are a number of passages in which you argue against the view that + the female has in any large number of cases been "specially modified" for + protection, or that colour has generally been obtained by either sex for + purposes of protection. But my view is, as I thought I had made it clear, + that the female has (in most cases) been simply prevented from acquiring + the gay tints of the male (even when there was a tendency for her to + inherit it), because it was hurtful; and that, when protection is not + needed, gay colours are so generally acquired by both sexes as to show + that inheritance by both sexes of colour variations is the most usual, + when not prevented from acting by Natural Selection. The colour itself may + be acquired either by sexual selection or by other unknown causes. + </p> + <p> + There are, however, difficulties in the very wide application you give to + sexual selection which at present stagger me, though no one was or is more + ready than myself to admit the perfect truth of the principle or the + immense importance and great variety of its applications. + </p> + <p> + Your chapters on "Man" are of intense interest—but as touching my + special heresy, not as yet altogether convincing, though, of course, I + fully agree with every word and every argument which goes to prove the + "evolution" or "development" of man out of a lower form. My ONLY + difficulties are, as to whether you have accounted for EVERY STEP of the + development by ascertained laws. + </p> + <p> + I feel sure that the book will keep up and increase your high reputation, + and be immensely successful, as it deserves to be... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 458. TO G.B. MURDOCH. Down, March 13th, 1871. + </p> + <p> + (458/1. We are indebted to Mr. Murdoch for a draft of his letter dated + March 10th, 1871. It is too long to be quoted at length; the following + citations give some idea of its contents: "In your 'Descent of Man,' in + treating of the external differences between males and females of the same + variety, have you attached sufficient importance to the different amount + and kind of energy expended by them in reproduction?" Mr. Murdoch sums up: + "Is it wrong, then, to suppose that extra growth, complicated structure, + and activity in one sex exist as escape-valves for surplus vigour, rather + than to please or fight with, though they may serve these purposes and be + modified by them?") + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your valuable letter. I am strongly inclined to + think that I have made a great and complete oversight with respect to the + subject which you discuss. I am the more surprised at this, as I remember + reflecting on some points which ought to have led me to your conclusion. + By an odd chance I received the day before yesterday a letter from Mr. + Lowne (author of an excellent book on the anatomy of the Blow-fly) (458/2. + "The Anatomy and Physiology of the Blow-fly (Musca vomitaria L.)," by B.T. + Lowne. London, 1870.) with a discussion very nearly to the same effect as + yours. His conclusions were drawn from studying male insects with great + horns, mandibles, etc. He informs me that his paper on this subject will + soon be published in the "Transact. Entomolog. Society." (458/3. + "Observations on Immature Sexuality and Alternate Generation in Insects." + By B.T. Lowne. "Trans. Entomolog. Soc." 1871 {Read March 6th, 1871}. "I + believe that certain cutaneous appendages, as the gigantic mandibles and + thoracic horns of many males, are complemental to the sexual organs; that, + in point of fact, they are produced by the excess of nutriment in the + male, which in the female would go to form the generative organs and ova" + (loc. cit., page 197).) I am inclined to look at your and Mr. Lowne's view + as specially valuable from probably throwing light on the greater + variability of male than female animals, which manifestly has much bearing + on sexual selection. I will keep your remarks in mind whenever a new + edition of my book is demanded. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 459. TO GEORGE FRASER. + </p> + <p> + (459/1. The following letter refers to two letters to Mr. Darwin, in which + Mr. Fraser pointed out that illustrations of the theory of Sexual + Selection might be found amongst British butterflies and moths. Mr. + Fraser, in explanation of the letters, writes: "As an altogether unknown + and far from experienced naturalist, I feared to send my letters for + publication without, in the first place, obtaining Mr. Darwin's approval." + The information was published in "Nature," Volume III., April 20th, 1871, + page 489. The article was referred to in the second edition of the + "Descent of Man" (1874), pages 312, 316, 319. Mr. Fraser adds: "This is + only another illustration of Mr. Darwin's great conscientiousness in + acknowledging suggestions received by him from the most humble sources." + (Letter from Mr. Fraser to F. Darwin, March 21, 1888.) + </p> + <p> + Down, April 14th {1871}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your letter and the interesting facts which it + contains, and which are new to me. But I am at present so much engaged + with other subjects that I cannot fully consider them; and, even if I had + time, I do not suppose that I should have anything to say worth printing + in a scientific journal. It would obviously be absurd in me to allow a + mere note of thanks from me to be printed. Whenever I have to bring out a + corrected edition of my book I will well consider your remarks (which I + hope that you will send to "Nature"), but the difficulty will be that my + friends tell me that I have already introduced too many facts, and that I + ought to prune rather than to introduce more. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 460. TO E.S. MORSE. Down, December 3rd, 1871. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged to you for having sent me your two interesting papers, + and for the kind writing on the cover. I am very glad to have my error + corrected about the protective colouring of shells. (460/1. "On Adaptive + Coloration of the Mollusca," "Boston Society of Natural History Proc." + Volume XIV., April 5th, 1871. Mr. Morse quotes from the "Descent of Man," + I., page 316, a passage to the effect that the colours of the mollusca do + not in general appear to be protective. Mr. Morse goes on to give + instances of protective coloration.) It is no excuse for my broad + statement, but I had in my mind the species which are brightly or + beautifully coloured, and I can as yet hardly think that the colouring in + such cases is protective. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 461. TO AUG. WEISMANN. Down, February 29th, 1872. + </p> + <p> + I am rejoiced to hear that your eyesight is somewhat better; but I fear + that work with the microscope is still out of your power. I have often + thought with sincere sympathy how much you must have suffered from your + grand line of embryological research having been stopped. It was very good + of you to use your eyes in writing to me. I have just received your essay + (461/1. "Ueber der Einfluss der Isolirung auf die Artbildung": Leipzig, + 1872.); but as I am now staying in London for the sake of rest, and as + German is at all times very difficult to me, I shall not be able to read + your essay for some little time. I am, however, very curious to learn what + you have to say on isolation and on periods of variation. I thought much + about isolation when I wrote in Chapter IV. on the circumstances + favourable to Natural Selection. No doubt there remains an immense deal of + work to do on "Artbildung." I have only opened a path for others to enter, + and in the course of time to make a broad and clear high-road. I am + especially glad that you are turning your attention to sexual selection. I + have in this country hardly found any naturalists who agree with me on + this subject, even to a moderate extent. They think it absurd that a + female bird should be able to appreciate the splendid plumage of the male; + but it would take much to persuade me that the peacock does not spread his + gorgeous tail in the presence of the female in order to fascinate or + excite her. The case, no doubt, is much more difficult with insects. I + fear that you will find it difficult to experiment on diurnal lepidoptera + in confinement, for I have never heard of any of these breeding in this + state. (461/2. We are indebted to Mr. Bateson for the following note: + "This belief does not seem to be well founded, for since Darwin's time + several species of Rhopalocera (e.g. Pieris, Pararge, Caenonympha) have + been successfully bred in confinement without any special difficulty; and + by the use of large cages members even of strong-flying genera, such as + Vanessa, have been induced to breed.") I was extremely pleased at hearing + from Fritz Muller that he liked my chapter on lepidoptera in the "Descent + of Man" more than any other part, excepting the chapter on morals. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 462. TO H. MULLER. Down {May, 1872}. + </p> + <p> + I have now read with the greatest interest your essay, which contains a + vast amount of matter quite new to me. (462/1. "Anwendung der Darwin'schen + Lehre auf Bienen," "Verhandl. d. naturhist. Vereins fur preuss. Rheinld. + u. Westf." 1872. References to Muller's paper occur in the second edition + of the "Descent of Man.") I really have no criticisms or suggestions to + offer. The perfection of the gradation in the character of bees, + especially in such important parts as the mouth-organs, was altogether + unknown to me. You bring out all such facts very clearly by your + comparison with the corresponding organs in the allied hymenoptera. How + very curious is the case of bees and wasps having acquired, independently + of inheritance from a common source, the habit of building hexagonal cells + and of producing sterile workers! But I have been most interested by your + discussion on secondary sexual differences; I do not suppose so full an + account of such differences in any other group of animals has ever been + published. It delights me to find that we have independently arrived at + almost exactly the same conclusion with respect to the more important + points deserving investigation in relation to sexual selection. For + instance, the relative number of the two sexes, the earlier emergence of + the males, the laws of inheritance, etc. What an admirable illustration + you give of the transference of characters acquired by one sex—namely, + that of the male of Bombus possessing the pollen-collecting apparatus. + Many of your facts about the differences between male and female bees are + surprisingly parallel with those which occur with birds. The reading your + essay has given me great confidence in the efficacy of sexual selection, + and I wanted some encouragement, as extremely few naturalists in England + seem inclined to believe in it. I am, however, glad to find that Prof. + Weismann has some faith in this principle. + </p> + <p> + The males of Bombus follow one remarkable habit, which I think it would + interest you to investigate this coming summer, and no one could do it + better than you. (462/2. Mr. Darwin's observations on this curious subject + were sent to Hermann Muller, and after his death were translated and + published in Krause's "Gesammelte kleinere Schriften von Charles Darwin," + 1887, page 84. The male bees had certain regular lines of flight at Down, + as from the end of the kitchen garden to the corner of the "sand-walk," + and certain regular "buzzing places" where they stopped on the wing for a + moment or two. Mr. Darwin's children remember vividly the pleasure of + helping in the investigation of this habit.) I have therefore enclosed a + briefly and roughly drawn-up account of this habit. Should you succeed in + making any observations on this subject, and if you would like to use in + any way my MS. you are perfectly welcome. I could, should you hereafter + wish to make any use of the facts, give them in rather fuller detail; but + I think that I have given enough. + </p> + <p> + I hope that you may long have health, leisure, and inclination to do much + more work as excellent as your recent essay. + </p> + <p> + 2.VIII.III. EXPRESSION, 1868-1874. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 463. TO F. MULLER. Down, January 30th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your answers, though few in number (October + 5th), about expression. I was especially glad to hear about shrugging the + shoulders. You say that an old negro woman, when expressing astonishment, + wonderfully resembled a Cebus when astonished; but are you sure that the + Cebus opened its mouth? I ask because the Chimpanzee does not open its + mouth when astonished, or when listening. (463/1. Darwin in the + "Expression of the Emotions," adheres to this statement as being true of + monkeys in general.) Please have the kindness to remember that I am very + anxious to know whether any monkey, when screaming violently, partially or + wholly closes its eyes. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 464. TO W. BOWMAN. + </p> + <p> + (464/1. The late Sir W. Bowman, the well-known surgeon, supplied a good + deal of information of value to Darwin in regard to the expression of the + emotions. The gorging of the eyes with blood during screaming is an + important factor in the physiology of weeping, and indirectly in the + obliquity of the eyebrows—a characteristic expression of suffering. + See "Expression of the Emotions," pages 160 and 192.) + </p> + <p> + Down, March 30th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + I called at your house about three weeks since, and heard that you were + away for the whole month, which I much regretted, as I wished to have had + the pleasure of seeing you, of asking you a question, and of thanking you + for your kindness to my son George. You did not quite understand the last + note which I wrote to you—viz., about Bell's precise statement that + the conjunctiva of an infant or young child becomes gorged with blood when + the eyes are forcibly opened during a screaming fit. (464/2. Sir C. Bell's + statement in his "Anatomy of Expression" (1844, page 106) is quoted in the + "Expression of the Emotions," page 158.) I have carefully kept your + previous note, in which you spoke doubtfully about Bell's statement. I + intended in my former note only to express a wish that if, during your + professional work, you were led to open the eyelids of a screaming child, + you would specially observe this point about the eye showing signs of + becoming gorged with blood, which interests me extremely. Could you ask + any one to observe this for me in an eye-dispensary or hospital? But I now + have to beg you kindly to consider one other question at any time when you + have half an hour's leisure. + </p> + <p> + When a man coughs violently from choking or retches violently, even when + he yawns, and when he laughs violently, tears come into the eyes. Now, in + all these cases I observe that the orbicularis muscle is more or less + spasmodically contracted, as also in the crying of a child. So, again, + when the muscles of the abdomen contract violently in a propelling manner, + and the breath is, I think, always held, as during the evacuation of a + very costive man, and as (I hear) with a woman during severe labour-pains, + the orbicularis contracts, and tears come into the eyes. Sir J.E. Tennant + states that tears roll down the cheeks of elephants when screaming and + trumpeting at first being captured; accordingly I went to the Zoological + Gardens, and the keeper made two elephants trumpet, and when they did this + violently the orbicularis was invariably plainly contracted. Hence I am + led to conclude that there must be some relation between the contraction + of this muscle and the secretion of tears. Can you tell me what this + relation is? Does the orbicularis press against, and so directly + stimulate, the lachrymal gland? As a slight blow on the eye causes, by + reflex action, a copious effusion of tears, can the slight spasmodic + contraction of the orbicularis act like a blow? This seems hardly + possible. Does the same nerve which runs to the orbicularis send off + fibrils to the lachrymal glands; and if so, when the order goes for the + muscle to contract, is nervous force sent sympathetically at the same time + to the glands? (464/3. See "Expression of the Emotions," page 169.) + </p> + <p> + I should be extremely much obliged if you {would} have the kindness to + give me your opinion on this point. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 465. TO F.C. DONDERS. + </p> + <p> + (465/1. Mr. Darwin was indebted to Sir W. Bowman for an introduction to + Professor Donders, whose work on Sir Charles Bell's views is quoted in the + "Expression of the Emotions," pages 160-62.) + </p> + <p> + Down, June 3rd {1870?}. + </p> + <p> + I do not know how to thank you enough for the very great trouble which you + have taken in writing at such length, and for your kind expressions + towards me. I am particularly obliged for the abstract with respect to Sir + C. Bell's views (465/2. See "Expression of the Emotions," pages 158 et + seq.: Sir Charles Bell's view is that adopted by Darwin—viz. that + the contraction of the muscles round the eyes counteracts the gorging of + the parts during screaming, etc. The essay of Donders is, no doubt, "On + the Action of the Eyelids in Determination of Blood from Expiratory + Effort" in Beale's "Archives of Medicine," Volume V., 1870, page 20, which + is a translation of the original in Dutch.), as I shall now proceed with + some confidence; but I am intensely curious to read your essay in full + when translated and published, as I hope, in the "Dublin Journal," as you + speak of the weak point in the case—viz., that injuries are not + known to follow from the gorging of the eye with blood. I may mention that + my son and his friend at a military academy tell me that when they perform + certain feats with their heads downwards their faces become purple and + veins distended, and that they then feel an uncomfortable sensation in + their eyes; but that as it is necessary for them to see, they cannot + protect their eyes by closing the eyelids. The companions of one young + man, who naturally has very prominent eyes, used to laugh at him when + performing such feats, and declare that some day both eyes would start out + of his head. + </p> + <p> + Your essay on the physiological and anatomical relations between the + contraction of the orbicular muscles and the secretion of tears is + wonderfully clear, and has interested me greatly. I had not thought about + irritating substances getting into the nose during vomiting; but my clear + impression is that mere retching causes tears. I will, however, try to get + this point ascertained. When I reflect that in vomiting (subject to the + above doubt), in violent coughing from choking, in yawning, violent + laughter, in the violent downward action of the abdominal muscle...and in + your very curious case of the spasms (465/3. In some cases a slight touch + to the eye causes spasms of the orbicularis muscle, which may continue for + so long as an hour, being accompanied by a flow of tears. See "Expression + of the Emotions," page 166.)—that in all these cases the orbicular + muscles are strongly and unconsciously contracted, and that at the same + time tears often certainly flow, I must think that there is a connection + of some kind between these phenomena; but you have clearly shown me that + the nature of the relation is at present quite obscure. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 466. TO A.D. BARTLETT. 6, Queen Anne Street, W., December 19th + {1870?}. + </p> + <p> + I was with Mr. Wood this morning, and he expressed himself strongly about + your and your daughter's kindness in aiding him. He much wants assistance + on another point, and if you would aid him, you would greatly oblige me. + You know well the appearance of a dog when approaching another dog with + hostile intentions, before they come close together. The dog walks very + stiffly, with tail rigid and upright, hair on back erected, ears pointed + and eyes directed forwards. When the dog attacks the other, down go the + ears, and the canines are uncovered. Now, could you anyhow arrange so that + one of your dogs could see a strange dog from a little distance, so that + Mr. Wood could sketch the former attitude, viz., of the stiff gesture with + erected hair and erected ears. (466/1. In Chapter II. of the "Expression + of the Emotions" there are sketches of dogs in illustration of the + "Principle of Antithesis," drawn by Mr. Riviere and by Mr. A. May (figures + 5-8). Mr. T.W. Wood supplied similar drawings of a cat (figures 9, 10), + also a sketch of the head of a snarling dog (figure 14).) And then he + could afterwards sketch the same dog, when fondled by his master and + wagging his tail with drooping ears. These two sketches I want much, and + it would be a great favour to Mr. Wood, and myself, if you could aid him. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—When a horse is turned out into a field he trots with high, + elastic steps, and carries his tail aloft. Even when a cow frisks about + she throws up her tail. I have seen a drawing of an elephant, apparently + trotting with high steps, and with the tail erect. When the elephants in + the garden are turned out and are excited so as to move quickly, do they + carry their tails aloft? How is this with the rhinoceros? Do not trouble + yourself to answer this, but I shall be in London in a couple of months, + and then perhaps you will be able to answer this trifling question. Or, if + you write about wolves and jackals turning round, you can tell me about + the tails of elephants, or of any other animals. (466/2. In the + "Expression of the Emotions," page 44, reference is made under the head of + "Associated habitual movements in the lower animals," to dogs and other + animals turning round and round and scratching the ground with their + fore-paws when they wish to go to sleep on a carpet, or other similar + surface.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 467. TO A.D. BARTLETT. Down, January 5th, {1871?} + </p> + <p> + Many thanks about Limulus. I am going to ask another favour, but I do not + want to trouble you to answer it by letter. When the Callithrix sciureus + screams violently, does it wrinkle up the skin round the eyes like a baby + always does? (467/1. "Humboldt also asserts that the eyes of the + Callithrix sciureus 'instantly fill with tears when it is seized with + fear'; but when this pretty little monkey in the Zoological Gardens was + teased, so as to cry out loudly, this did not occur. I do not, however, + wish to throw the least doubt on the accuracy of Humboldt's statement." + ("The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals," 1872, page 137.) + When thus screaming do the eyes become suffused with moisture? Will you + ask Sutton to observe carefully? (467/2. One of the keepers who made many + observations on monkeys for Mr. Darwin.) Could you make it scream without + hurting it much? I should be truly obliged some time for this information, + when in spring I come to the Gardens. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 468. TO W. OGLE. Down, March 7th {1871}. + </p> + <p> + I wrote to Tyndall, but had no clear answer, and have now written to him + again about odours. (468/1. Dr. Ogle's work on the Sense of Smell + ("Medico-Chirurgical Trans." LIII., page 268) is referred to in the + "Expression of the Emotions," page 256.) I write now to ask you to be so + kind (if there is no objection) to tell me the circumstances under which + you saw a man arrested for murder. (468/2. Given in the "Expression of the + Emotions," page 294.) I say in my notes made from your conversation: + utmost horror—extreme pallor—mouth relaxed and open—general + prostration—perspiration—muscle of face contracted—hair + observed on account of having been dyed, and apparently not erected. + Secondly, may I quote you that you have often (?) seen persons (young or + old? men or women?) who, evincing no great fear, were about to undergo + severe operation under chloroform, showing resignation by (alternately?) + folding one open hand over the other on the lower part of chest (whilst + recumbent?)—I know this expression, and think I ought to notice it. + Could you look out for an additional instance? + </p> + <p> + I fear you will think me very troublesome, especially when I remind you + (not that I am in a hurry) about the Eustachian tube. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 469. TO J. JENNER WEIR. Down, June 14th {1870}. + </p> + <p> + As usual, I am going to beg for information. Can you tell me whether any + Fringillidae or Sylviadae erect their feathers when frightened or enraged? + (469/1. See "Expression of the Emotions," page 99.) I want to show that + this expression is common to all or most of the families of birds. I know + of this only in the fowl, swan, tropic-bird, owl, ruff and reeve, and + cuckoo. I fancy that I remember having seen nestling birds erect their + feathers greatly when looking into nests, as is said to be the case with + young cuckoos. I should much like to know whether nestlings do really thus + erect their feathers. I am now at work on expression in animals of all + kinds, and birds; and if you have any hints I should be very glad for + them, and you have a rich wealth of facts of all kinds. Any cases like the + following: the sheldrake pats or dances on the tidal sands to make the + sea-worms come out; and when Mr. St. John's tame sheldrakes came to ask + for their dinners they used to pat the ground, and this I should call an + expression of hunger and impatience. How about the Quagga case? (469/2. + See Letter 235, Volume I.) + </p> + <p> + I am working away as hard as I can on my book; but good heavens, how slow + my progress is. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 470. TO F.C. DONDERS. Down, March 18th, 1871. + </p> + <p> + Very many thanks for your kind letter. I have been interested by what you + tell me about your views published in 1848, and I wish I could read your + essay. It is clear to me that you were as near as possible in preceding me + on the subject of Natural Selection. + </p> + <p> + You will find very little that is new to you in my last book; whatever + merit it may possess consists in the grouping of the facts and in + deductions from them. I am now at work on my essay on Expression. My last + book fatigued me much, and I have had much correspondence, otherwise I + should have written to you long ago, as I often intended to tell you in + how high a degree your essay published in Beale's Archives interested me. + (470/1. Beale's "Archives of Medicine," Volume V., 1870.) I have heard + others express their admiration at the complete manner in which you have + treated the subject. Your confirmation of Sir C. Bell's rather loose + statement has been of paramount importance for my work. (470/2. On the + contraction of the muscles surrounding the eye. See "Expression of the + Emotions," page 158. See Letters 464, 465.) You told me that I might make + further enquiries from you. + </p> + <p> + When a person is lost in meditation his eyes often appear as if fixed on a + distant object (470/3. The appearance is due to divergence of the lines of + vision produced by muscular relaxation. See "Expression of the Emotions," + Edition II., page 239.), and the lower eyelids may be seen to contract and + become wrinkled. I suppose the idea is quite fanciful, but as you say that + the eyeball advances in adaptation for vision for close objects, would the + eyeball have to be pushed backwards in adaptation for distant objects? + (470/4. Darwin seems to have misunderstood a remark of Donders.) If so, + can the wrinkling of the lower eyelids, which has often perplexed me, act + in pushing back the eyeball? + </p> + <p> + But, as I have said, I daresay this is quite fanciful. Gratiolet says that + the pupil contracts in rage, and dilates enormously in terror. (470/5. See + "Expression of the Emotions," Edition II., page 321.) I have not found + this great anatomist quite trustworthy on such points, and am making + enquiries on this subject. But I am inclined to believe him, as the old + Scotch anatomist Munro says, that the iris of parrots contracts and + dilates under passions, independently of the amount of light. Can you give + any explanation of this statement? When the heart beats hard and quick, + and the head becomes somewhat congested with blood in any illness, does + the pupil contract? Does the pupil dilate in incipient faintness, or in + utter prostration, as when after a severe race a man is pallid, bathed in + perspiration, with all his muscles quivering? Or in extreme prostration + from any illness? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 471. TO W. TURNER. Down, March 28th {1871}. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your kind note, and especially for your offer of + sending me some time corrections, for which I shall be truly grateful. I + know that there are many blunders to which I am very liable. There is a + terrible one confusing the supra-condyloid foramen with another one. + (471/1. In the first edition of the "Descent of Man," I., page 28, in + quoting Mr. Busk "On the Caves of Gibraltar," Mr. Darwin confuses together + the inter-condyloid foramen in the humerus with the supra-condyloid + foramen. His attention was called to the mistake by Sir William Turner, to + whom he had been previously indebted for other information on the anatomy + of man. The error is one, as Sir William Turner points out in a letter, + "which might easily arise where the writer is not minutely acquainted with + human anatomy." In speaking of his correspondence with Darwin, Sir William + remarks on a characteristic of Darwin's method of asking for information, + namely, his care in avoiding leading questions.) This, however, I have + corrected in all the copies struck off after the first lot of 2500. I + daresay there will be a new edition in the course of nine months or a + year, and this I will correct as well as I can. As yet the publishers have + kept up type, and grumble dreadfully if I make heavy corrections. I am + very far from surprised that "you have not committed yourself to full + acceptation" of the evolution of man. Difficulties and objections there + undoubtedly are, enough and to spare, to stagger any cautious man who has + much knowledge like yourself. + </p> + <p> + I am now at work at my hobby-horse essay on Expression, and I have been + reading some old notes of yours. In one you say it is easy to see that the + spines of the hedgehog are moved by the voluntary panniculus. Now, can you + tell me whether each spine has likewise an oblique unstriped or striped + muscle, as figured by Lister? (472/2. "Expression of the Emotions," page + 101.) Do you know whether the tail-coverts of peacock or tail of turkey + are erected by unstriped or striped muscles, and whether these are + homologous with the panniculus or with the single oblique unstriped + muscles going to each separate hair in man and many animals? I wrote some + time ago to Kolliker to ask this question (and in relation to quills of + porcupine), and I received a long and interesting letter, but he could not + answer these questions. If I do not receive any answer (for I know how + busy you must be), I will understand you cannot aid me. + </p> + <p> + I heard yesterday that Paget was very ill; I hope this is not true. What a + loss he would be; he is so charming a man. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—As I am writing I will trouble you with one other question. + Have you seen anything or read of any facts which could induce you to + think that the mind being intently and long directed to any portion of the + skin (or, indeed, any organ) would influence the action of the + capillaries, causing them either to contract or dilate? Any information on + this head would be of great value to me, as bearing on blushing. + </p> + <p> + If I remember right, Paget seems to be a great believer in the influence + of the mind in the nutrition of parts, and even in causing disease. It is + awfully audacious on my part, but I remember thinking (with respect to the + latter assertion on disease) when I read the passage that it seemed rather + fanciful, though I should like to believe in it. Sir H. Holland alludes to + this subject of the influence of the mind on local circulation frequently, + but gives no clear evidence. (472/3. Ibid., pages 339 et seq.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 472. TO W. TURNER. Down, March 29th {1871}. + </p> + <p> + Forgive me for troubling you with one line. Since writing my P.S. I have + read the part on the influence of the nervous system on the nutrition of + parts in your last edition of Paget's "Lectures." (472/1. "Lectures on + Surgical Pathology," Edition III., revised by Professor Turner, 1870.) I + had not read before this part in this edition, and I see how foolish I + was. But still, I should be extremely grateful for any hint or evidence of + the influence of mental attention on the capillary or local circulation of + the skin, or of any part to which the mind may be intently and long + directed. For instance, if thinking intently about a local eruption on the + skin (not on the face, for shame might possibly intervene) caused it + temporarily to redden, or thinking of a tumour caused it to throb, + independently of increased heart action. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 473. TO HUBERT AIRY. + </p> + <p> + (473/1. Dr. Airy had written to Mr. Darwin on April 3rd:— + </p> + <p> + "With regard to the loss of voluntary movement of the ears in man and + monkey, may I ask if you do not think it might have been caused, as it is + certainly compensated, by the facility and quickness in turning the head, + possessed by them in virtue of their more erect stature, and the freedom + of the atlanto-axial articulation? (in birds the same end is gained by the + length and flexibility of the neck.) The importance, in case of danger, of + bringing the eyes to help the ears would call for a quick turn of the head + whenever a new sound was heard, and so would tend to make superfluous any + special means of moving the ears, except in the case of quadrupeds and the + like, that have great trouble (comparatively speaking) in making a + horizontal turn of the head—can only do it by a slow bend of the + whole neck." (473/2. We are indebted to Dr. Airy for furnishing us with a + copy of his letter to Mr. Darwin, the original of which had been mislaid.) + </p> + <p> + Down, April 5th {1871}. + </p> + <p> + I am greatly obliged for your letter. Your idea about the easy turning of + the head instead of the ears themselves strikes me as very good, and quite + new to me, and I will keep it in mind; but I fear that there are some + cases opposed to the notion. + </p> + <p> + If I remember right the hedgehog has very human ears, but birds support + your view, though lizards are opposed to it. + </p> + <p> + Several persons have pointed out my error about the platysma. (473/3. The + error in question occurs on page 19 of the "Descent of Man," Edition I., + where it is stated that the Platysma myoides cannot be voluntarily brought + into action. In the "Expression of the Emotions" Darwin remarks that this + muscle is sometimes said not to be under voluntary control, and he shows + that this is not universally true.) Nor can I remember how I was misled. I + find I can act on this muscle myself, now that I know the corners of the + mouth have to be drawn back. I know of the case of a man who can act on + this muscle on one side, but not on the other; yet he asserts positively + that both contract when he is startled. And this leads me to ask you to be + so kind as to observe, if any opportunity should occur, whether the + platysma contracts during extreme terror, as before an operation; and + secondly, whether it contracts during a shivering fit. Several persons are + observing for me, but I receive most discordant results. + </p> + <p> + I beg you to present my most respectful and kind compliments to your + honoured father {Sir G.B. Airy}. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 474. TO FRANCIS GALTON. + </p> + <p> + (474/1. Mr. Galton had written on November 7th, 1872, offering to send to + various parts of Africa Darwin's printed list of questions intended to + guide observers on expression. Mr. Galton goes on: "You do not, I think, + mention in "Expression" what I thought was universal among blubbering + children (when not trying to see if harm or help was coming out of the + corner of one eye) of pressing the knuckles against the eyeballs, thereby + reinforcing the orbicularis.") + </p> + <p> + Down, November 8th {1872}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your note and offer to send out the queries; but my career + is so nearly closed that I do not think it worth while. What little more I + can do shall be chiefly new work. I ought to have thought of crying + children rubbing their eyes with their knuckles, but I did not think of + it, and cannot explain it. As far as my memory serves, they do not do so + whilst roaring, in which case compression would be of use. I think it is + at the close of the crying fit, as if they wished to stop their eyes + crying, or possibly to relieve the irritation from the salt tears. I wish + I knew more about the knuckles and crying. + </p> + <p> + What a tremendous stir-up your excellent article on prayer has made in + England and America! (474/2. The article entitled "Statistical Inquiries + into the Efficacy of Prayer" appeared in the "Fortnightly Review," 1872. + In Mr. Francis Galton's book on "Enquiries into Human Faculty and its + Development," London, 1883, a section (pages 277-94) is devoted to a + discussion on the "Objective Efficacy of Prayer.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 475. TO F.C. DONDERS. + </p> + <p> + (475/1. We have no means of knowing whether the observations suggested in + the following letter were made—if not, the suggestion is worthy of + record.) + </p> + <p> + Down, December 21st, 1872. + </p> + <p> + You will have received some little time ago my book on Expression, in + writing which I was so deeply indebted to your kindness. I want now to beg + a favour of you, if you have the means to grant it. A clergyman, the head + of an institution for the blind in England (475/2. The Rev. R.H. Blair, + Principal of the Worcester College: "Expression of the Emotions," Edition + II., page 237.), has been observing the expression of those born blind, + and he informs me that they never or very rarely frown. He kept a record + of several cases, but at last observed a frown on two of the children who + he thought never frowned; and then in a foolish manner tore up his notes, + and did not write to me until my book was published. He may be a bad + observer and altogether mistaken, but I think it would be worth while to + ascertain whether those born blind, when young, and whilst screaming + violently, contract the muscles round the eyes like ordinary infants. And + secondly, whether in after years they rarely or never frown. If it should + prove true that infants born blind do not contract their orbicular muscles + whilst screaming (though I can hardly believe it) it would be interesting + to know whether they shed tears as copiously as other children. The nature + of the affection which causes blindness may possibly influence the + contraction of the muscles, but on all such points you will judge + infinitely better than I can. Perhaps you could get some trustworthy + superintendent of an asylum for the blind to attend to this subject. I am + sure that you will forgive me asking this favour. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 476. TO D. HACK TUKE. Down, December 22nd, 1872. + </p> + <p> + I have now finished your book, and have read it with great interest. + (476/1. "Influence of the Mind upon the Body. Designed to elucidate the + Power of the Imagination." 1872.) + </p> + <p> + Many of your cases are very striking. As I felt sure would be the case, I + have learnt much from it; and I should have modified several passages in + my book on Expression, if I had had the advantage of reading your work + before my publication. I always felt, and said so a year ago to Professor + Donders, that I had not sufficient knowledge of Physiology to treat my + subject in a proper way. + </p> + <p> + With many thanks for the interest which I have felt in reading your + work... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 477. TO A.R. WALLACE. Down, January 10th {1873}. + </p> + <p> + I have read your Review with much interest, and I thank you sincerely for + the very kind spirit in which it is written. I cannot say that I am + convinced by your criticisms. (477/1. "Quarterly Journal of Science," + January, 1873, page 116: "I can hardly believe that when a cat, lying on a + shawl or other soft material, pats or pounds it with its feet, or + sometimes sucks a piece of it, it is the persistence of the habit of + pressing the mammary glands and sucking during kittenhood." Mr. Wallace + goes on to say that infantine habits are generally completely lost in + adult life, and that it seems unlikely that they should persist in a few + isolated instances.) If you have ever actually observed a kitten sucking + and pounding, with extended toes, its mother, and then seen the same + kitten when a little older doing the same thing on a soft shawl, and + ultimately an old cat (as I have seen), and do not admit that it is + identically the same action, I am astonished. With respect to the + decapitated frog, I have always heard of Pfluger as a most trustworthy + observer. (477/2. Mr. Wallace speaks of "a readiness to accept the most + marvellous conclusions or interpretations of physiologists on what seem + very insufficient grounds," and he goes on to assert that the frog + experiment is either incorrectly recorded or else that it "demonstrates + volition, and not reflex action.") If, indeed, any one knows a frog's + habits so well as to say that it never rubs off a bit of leaf or other + object which may stick to its thigh, in the same manner as it did the + acid, your objection would be valid. Some of Flourens' experiments, in + which he removed the cerebral hemispheres from a pigeon, indicate that + acts apparently performed consciously can be done without consciousness. I + presume through the force of habit, in which case it would appear that + intellectual power is not brought into play. Several persons have made + suggestions and objections as yours about the hands being held up in + astonishment; if there was any straining of the muscles, as with protruded + arms under fright, I would agree; as it is I must keep to my old opinion, + and I dare say you will say that I am an obstinate old blockhead. (477/3. + The raising of the hands in surprise is explained ("Expression of + Emotions," Edition I., page 287) on the doctrine of antithesis as being + the opposite of listlessness. Mr. Wallace's view (given in the 2nd edition + of "Expression of the Emotions," page 300) is that the gesture is + appropriate to sudden defence or to the giving of aid to another person.) + </p> + <p> + The book has sold wonderfully; 9,000 copies have now been printed. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 478. TO CHAUNCEY WRIGHT. Down, September 21st, 1874. + </p> + <p> + I have read your long letter with the greatest interest, and it was + extremely kind of you to take such great trouble. Now that you call my + attention to the fact, I well know the appearance of persons moving the + head from side to side when critically viewing any object; and I am almost + sure that I have seen the same gesture in an affected person when speaking + in exaggerated terms of some beautiful object not present. I should think + your explanation of this gesture was the true one. But there seems to me a + rather wide difference between inclining or moving the head laterally, and + moving it in the same plane, as we do in negation, and, as you truly add, + in disapprobation. It may, however, be that these two movements of the + head have been confounded by travellers when speaking of the Turks. + Perhaps Prof. Lowell would remember whether the movement was identically + the same. Your remarks on the effects of viewing a sunset, etc., with the + head inverted are very curious. (478/1. The letter dated September 3rd, + 1874, is published in Mr. Thayer's "Letters" of Chauncey Wright, privately + printed, Cambridge, Mass., 1878. Wright quotes Mr. Sophocles, a native of + Greece, at the time Professor of Modern and Ancient Greek at Harvard + University, to the effect that the Turks do not express affirmation by a + shake of the head, but by a bow or grave nod, negation being expressed by + a backward nod. From the striking effect produced by looking at a + landscape with the head inverted, or by looking at its reflection, + Chauncey Wright was led to the lateral movement of the head, which is + characteristic of critical inspection—eg. of a picture. He thinks + that in this way a gesture of deliberative assent arose which may have + been confused with our ordinary sign of negation. He thus attempts to + account for the contradictions between Lieber's statement that a Turk or + Greek expresses "yes" by a shake of the head, and the opposite opinion of + Prof. Sophocles, and lastly, Mr. Lowell's assertion that in Italy our + negative shake of the head is used in affirmation (see "Expression of the + Emotions," Edition II., page 289).) We have a looking-glass in the + drawing-room opposite the flower-garden, and I have often been struck how + extremely pretty and strange the flower garden and surrounding bushes + appear when thus viewed. Your letter will be very useful to me for a new + edition of my Expression book; but this will not be for a long time, if + ever, as the publisher was misled by the very large sale at first, and + printed far too many copies. + </p> + <p> + I daresay you intend to publish your views in some essay, and I think you + ought to do so, for you might make an interesting and instructive + discussion. + </p> + <p> + I have been half killing myself of late with microscopical work on plants. + I begin to think that they are more wonderful than animals. + </p> + <p> + P.S., January 29th, 1875.—You will see that by a stupid mistake in + the address this letter has just been returned to me. It is by no means + worth forwarding, but I cannot bear that you should think me so ungracious + and ungrateful as not to have thanked you for your long letter. + </p> + <p> + As I forget whether "Cambridge" is sufficient address, I will send this + through Asa Gray. + </p> + <p> + (PLATE: CHARLES LYELL. Engraved by G.I. (J). Stodart from a photograph.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2.IX. GEOLOGY, 1840-1882. + </h2> + <p> + I. Vulcanicity and Earth-movements.—II. Ice-action.—III. The + Parallel Roads of Glen Roy.—IV. Coral Reefs, Fossil and Recent.—V. + Cleavage and Foliation.—VI. Age of the World.—VII. Geological + Action of Earthworms.—VIII. Miscellaneous. + </p> + <p> + 2.IX.I. VULCANICITY AND EARTH-MOVEMENTS, 1840-1881. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 479. TO DAVID MILNE. 12, Upper Gower Street, Thursday {March} 20th + {1840}. + </p> + <p> + I much regret that I am unable to give you any information of the kind you + desire. You must have misunderstood Mr. Lyell concerning the object of my + paper. (479/1. "On the Connexion of certain Volcanic Phenomena, and on the + Formation of Mountain-chains and the Effects of Continental Elevations." + "Trans. Geol. Soc." Volume V., 1840, pages 601-32 {March 7th, 1838}.) It + is an account of the shock of February, 1835, in Chile, which is + particularly interesting, as it ties most closely together volcanic + eruptions and continental elevations. In that paper I notice a very + remarkable coincidence in volcanic eruptions in S. America at very distant + places. I have also drawn up some short tables showing, as it appears to + me, that there are periods of unusually great volcanic activity affecting + large portions of S. America. I have no record of any coincidences between + shocks there and in Europe. Humboldt, by his table in the "Pers. + Narrative" (Volume IV., page 36, English Translation), seems to consider + the elevation of Sabrina off the Azores as connected with S. American + subterranean activity: this connection appears to be exceedingly vague. I + have during the past year seen it stated that a severe shock in the + northern parts of S. America coincided with one in Kamstchatka. Believing, + then, that such coincidences are purely accidental, I neglected to take a + note of the reference; but I believe the statement was somewhere in + "L'Institut" for 1839. (479/2. "L'Institut, Journal General des Societes + et Travaux Scientifiques de la France et de l'Etranger," Tome VIII. page + 412, Paris, 1840. In a note on some earthquakes in the province Maurienne + it is stated that they occurred during a change in the weather, and at + times when a south wind followed a north wind, etc.) I was myself anxious + to see the list of the 1200 shocks alluded to by you, but I have not been + able to find out that the list has been published. With respect to any + coincidences you may discover between shocks in S. America and Europe, let + me venture to suggest to you that it is probably a quite accurate + statement that scarcely one hour in the year elapses in S. America without + an accompanying shock in some part of that large continent. There are many + regions in which earthquakes take place every three and four days; and + after the severer shocks the ground trembles almost half-hourly for + months. If, therefore, you had a list of the earthquakes of two or three + of these districts, it is almost certain that some of them would coincide + with those in Scotland, without any other connection than mere chance. + </p> + <p> + My paper will be published immediately in the "Geological Transactions," + and I will do myself the pleasure of sending you a copy in the course of + (as I hope) a week or ten days. A large part of it is theoretical, and + will be of little interest to you; but the account of the Concepcion shock + of 1835 will, I think, be worth your perusal. I have understood from Mr. + Lyell that you believe in some connection between the state of the weather + and earthquakes. Under the very peculiar climate of Northern Chile, the + belief of the inhabitants in such connection can hardly, in my opinion, be + founded in error. It must possibly be worth your while to turn to pages + 430-433 in my "Journal of Researches during the Voyage of the 'Beagle'," + where I have stated this circumstance. (479/3. "Journal of Researches into + the Natural History and Geology of the Countries visited during the Voyage + of H.M.S. 'Beagle' round the World." London, 1870, page 351.) On the + hypothesis of the crust of the earth resting on fluid matter, would the + influence of the moon (as indexed by the tides) affect the periods of the + shocks, when the force which causes them is just balanced by the + resistance of the solid crust? The fact you mention of the coincidence + between the earthquakes of Calabria and Scotland appears most curious. + Your paper will possess a high degree of interest to all geologists. I + fancied that such uniformity of action, as seems here indicated, was + probably confined to large continents, such as the Americas. How + interesting a record of volcanic phenomena in Iceland would be, now that + you are collecting accounts of every slight trembling in Scotland. I am + astonished at their frequency in that quiet country, as any one would have + called it. I wish it had been in my power to have contributed in any way + to your researches on this most interesting subject. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 480. TO L. HORNER. Down, August 29th {1844}. + </p> + <p> + I am greatly obliged for your kind note, and much pleased with its + contents. If one-third of what you say be really true, and not the verdict + of a partial judge (as from pleasant experience I much suspect), then + should I be thoroughly well contented with my small volume which, small as + it is, cost me much time. (480/1. "Geological Observations on the Volcanic + Islands visited during the Voyage of H.M.S. 'Beagle'": London, 1844. A + French translation has been made by Professor Renard of Ghent, and + published by Reinwald of Paris in 1902.) The pleasure of observation amply + repays itself: not so that of composition; and it requires the hope of + some small degree of utility in the end to make up for the drudgery of + altering bad English into sometimes a little better and sometimes worse. + With respect to craters of elevation (480/2. "Geological Observations," + pages 93-6.), I had no sooner printed off the few pages on that subject + than I wished the whole erased. I utterly disbelieve in Von Buch and de + Beaumont's views; but on the other hand, in the case of the Mauritius and + St. Jago, I cannot, perhaps unphilosophically, persuade myself that they + are merely the basal fragments of ordinary volcanoes; and therefore I + thought I would suggest the notion of a slow circumferential elevation, + the central part being left unelevated, owing to the force from below + being spent and {relieved?} in eruptions. On this view, I do not consider + these so-called craters of elevation as formed by the ejection of ashes, + lava, etc., etc., but by a peculiar kind of elevation acting round and + modified by a volcanic orifice. I wish I had left it all out; I trust that + there are in other parts of the volume more facts and less theory. The + more I reflect on volcanoes, the more I appreciate the importance of E. de + Beaumont's measurements (480/3. Elie de Beaumont's views are discussed by + Sir Charles Lyell both in the "Principles of Geology" (Edition X., 1867, + Volume I. pages 633 et seq.) and in the "Elements of Geology" (Edition + III., 1878, pages 495, 496). See also Darwin's "Geological Observations," + Edition II., 1876, page 107.) (even if one does not believe them + implicitly) of the natural inclination of lava-streams, and even more the + importance of his view of the dikes, or unfilled fissures, in every + volcanic mountain, being the proofs and measures of the stretching and + consequent elevation which all such mountains must have undergone. I + believe he thus unintentionally explains most of his cases of lava-streams + being inclined at a greater angle than that at which they could have + flowed. + </p> + <p> + But excuse this lengthy note, and once more let me thank you for the + pleasure and encouragement you have given me—which, together with + Lyell's never-failing kindness, will help me on with South America, and, + as my books will not sell, I sometimes want such aid. I have been lately + reading with care A. d'Orbigny's work on South America (480/4. "Voyage + dans l'Amerique Meridionale—execute pendant les annees 1826-33": six + volumes, Paris, 1835-43.), and I cannot say how forcibly impressed I am + with the infinite superiority of the Lyellian school of Geology over the + continental. I always feel as if my books came half out of Lyell's brain, + and that I never acknowledge this sufficiently; nor do I know how I can + without saying so in so many words—for I have always thought that + the great merit of the "Principles" was that it altered the whole tone of + one's mind, and therefore that, when seeing a thing never seen by Lyell, + one yet saw it partially through his eyes—it would have been in some + respects better if I had done this less: but again excuse my long, and + perhaps you will think presumptuous, discussion. Enclosed is a note from + Emma to Mrs. Horner, to beg you, if you can, to give us the great pleasure + of seeing you here. We are necessarily dull here, and can offer no + amusements; but the weather is delightful, and if you could see how + brightly the sun now shines you would be tempted to come. Pray remember me + most kindly to all your family, and beg of them to accept our proposal, + and give us the pleasure of seeing them. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 481. TO C. LYELL. Down, {September, 1844}. + </p> + <p> + I was glad to get your note, and wanted to hear about your work. I have + been looking to see it advertised; it has been a long task. I had, before + your return from Scotland, determined to come up and see you; but as I had + nothing else to do in town, my courage has gradually eased off, more + especially as I have not been very well lately. We get so many invitations + here that we are grown quite dissipated, but my stomach has stood it so + ill that we are going to have a month's holidays, and go nowhere. + </p> + <p> + The subject which I was most anxious to talk over with you I have settled, + and having written sixty pages of my "S. American Geology," I am in pretty + good heart, and am determined to have very little theory and only short + descriptions. The two first chapters will, I think, be pretty good, on the + great gravel terraces and plains of Patagonia and Chili and Peru. + </p> + <p> + I am astonished and grieved over D'Orbigny's nonsense of sudden + elevations. (481/1. D'Orbigny's views are referred to by Lyell in chapter + vii. of the "Principles," Volume I. page 131. "This mud {i.e. the Pampean + mud} contains in it recent species of shells, some of them proper to + brackish water, and is believed by Mr. Darwin to be an estuary or delta + deposit. M.A. D'Orbigny, however, has advanced an hypothesis...that the + agitation and displacement of the waters of the ocean, caused by the + elevation of the Andes, gave rise to a deluge, of which this Pampean mud, + which reaches sometimes the height of 12,000 feet, is the result and + monument.") I must give you one of his cases: He finds an old beach 600 + feet above sea. He finds STILL ATTACHED to the rocks at 300 feet six + species of truly littoral shells. He finds at 20 to 30 feet above sea an + immense accumulation of chiefly littoral shells. He argues the whole 600 + feet uplifted at one blow, because the attached shells at 300 feet have + not been displaced. Therefore when the sea formed a beach at 600 feet the + present littoral shells were attached to rocks at 300 feet depth, and + these same shells were accumulating by thousands at 600 feet. + </p> + <p> + Hear this, oh Forbes. Is it not monstrous for a professed conchologist? + This is a fair specimen of his reasoning. + </p> + <p> + One of his arguments against the Pampas being a slow deposit, is that + mammifers are very seldom washed by rivers into the sea! + </p> + <p> + Because at 12,000 feet he finds the same kind of clay with that of the + Pampas he never doubts that it is contemporaneous with the Pampas + {debacle?} which accompanied the right royal salute of every volcano in + the Cordillera. What a pity these Frenchmen do not catch hold of a comet, + and return to the good old geological dramas of Burnett and Whiston. I + shall keep out of controversy, and just give my own facts. It is enough to + disgust one with Geology; though I have been much pleased with the frank, + decided, though courteous manner with which D'Orbigny disputes my + conclusions, given, unfortunately, without facts, and sometimes rashly, in + my journal. + </p> + <p> + Enough of S. America. I wish you would ask Mr. Horner (for I forgot to do + so, and am unwilling to trouble him again) whether he thinks there is too + much detail (quite independent of the merits of the book) in my volcanic + volume; as to know this would be of some real use to me. You could tell me + when we meet after York, when I will come to town. I had intended being at + York, but my courage has failed. I should much like to hear your lecture, + but still more to read it, as I think reading is always better than + hearing. + </p> + <p> + I am very glad you talk of a visit to us in the autumn if you can spare + the time. I shall be truly glad to see Mrs. Lyell and yourself here; but I + have scruples in asking any one—you know how dull we are here. Young + Hooker (481/2. Sir J.D. Hooker.) talks of coming; I wish he might meet + you,—he appears to me a most engaging young man. + </p> + <p> + I have been delighted with Prescott, of which I have read Volume I. at + your recommendation; I have just been a good deal interested with W. + Taylor's (of Norwich) "Life and Correspondence." + </p> + <p> + On your return from York I shall expect a great supply of Geological + gossip. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 482. TO C. LYELL. {October 3rd, 1846.} + </p> + <p> + I have been much interested with Ramsay, but have no particular + suggestions to offer (482/1. "On the Denudation of South Wales and the + Adjacent Counties of England." A.C. Ramsay, "Mem. Geol. Survey Great + Britain," Volume I., London, 1846.); I agree with all your remarks made + the other day. My final impression is that the only argument against him + is to tell him to read and re-read the "Principles," and if not then + convinced to send him to Pluto. Not but what he has well read the + "Principles!" and largely profited thereby. I know not how carefully you + have read this paper, but I think you did not mention to me that he does + (page 327) (482/2. Ramsay refers the great outlines of the country to the + action of the sea in Tertiary times. In speaking of the denudation of the + coast, he says: "Taking UNLIMITED time into account, we can conceive that + any extent of land might be so destroyed...If to this be added an + EXCEEDINGLY SLOW DEPRESSION of the land and sea bottom, the wasting + process would be materially assisted by this depression" (loc. cit., page + 327).) believe that the main part of his great denudation was effected + during a vast (almost gratuitously assumed) slow Tertiary subsidence and + subsequent Tertiary oscillating slow elevation. So our high cliff argument + is inapplicable. He seems to think his great subsidence only FAVOURABLE + for great denudation. I believe from the general nature of the off-shore + sea's bottoms that it is almost necessary; do look at two pages—page + 25 of my S. American volume—on this subject. (482/3. "Geological + Observations on S. America," 1846, page 25. "When viewing the sea-worn + cliffs of Patagonia, in some parts between 800 and 900 feet in height, and + formed of horizontal Tertiary strata, which must once have extended far + seaward...a difficulty often occurred to me, namely, how the strata could + possibly have been removed by the action of the sea at a considerable + depth beneath its surface." The cliffs of St. Helena are referred to in + illustration of the same problem; speaking of these, Darwin adds: "Now, if + we had any reason to suppose that St. Helena had, during a long period, + gone on slowly subsiding, every difficulty would be removed...I am much + inclined to suspect that we shall hereafter find in all such cases that + the land with the adjoining bed of the sea has in truth subsided..." (loc. + cit., pages 25-6).) + </p> + <p> + The foundation of his views, viz., of one great sudden upheaval, strikes + me as threefold. First, to account for the great dislocations. This + strikes me as the odder, as he admits that a little northwards there were + many and some violent dislocations at many periods during the accumulation + of the Palaeozoic series. If you argue against him, allude to the cool + assumption that petty forces are conflicting: look at volcanoes; look at + recurrent similar earthquakes at same spots; look at repeatedly injected + intrusive masses. In my paper on Volcanic Phenomena in the "Geol. + Transactions." (482/4. "On the Connection of certain Volcanic Phenomena, + and on the Formation of Mountain-chains and the Effects of Continental + Elevations." "Geol. Soc. Proc." Volume II., pages 654-60, 1838; "Trans. + Geol. Soc." Volume V., pages 601-32, 1842. {Read March 7th, 1838.}) I have + argued (and Lonsdale thought well of the argument, in favour, as he + remarked, of your original doctrine) that if Hopkins' views are correct, + viz., that mountain chains are subordinate consequences to changes of + level in mass, then, as we have evidence of such horizontal movements in + mass having been slow, the foundation of mountain chains (differing from + volcanoes only in matter being injected instead of ejected) must have been + slow. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, Ramsay has been influenced, I think, by his Alpine insects; but + he is wrong in thinking that there is any necessary connection of tropics + and large insects—videlicet—Galapagos Arch., under the + equator. Small insects swarm in all parts of tropics, though accompanied + generally with large ones. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, he appears influenced by the absence of newer deposits on the old + area, blinded by the supposed necessity of sediment accumulating somewhere + near (as no doubt is true) and being PRESERVED—an example, as I + think, of the common error which I wrote to you about. The preservation of + sedimentary deposits being, as I do not doubt, the exception when they are + accumulated during periods of elevation or of stationary level, and + therefore the preservation of newer deposits would not be probable, + according to your view that Ramsay's great Palaeozoic masses were denuded, + whilst slowly rising. Do pray look at end of Chapter II., at what little I + have said on this subject in my S. American volume. (482/5. The second + chapter of the "Geological Observations" concludes with a Summary on the + Recent Elevations of the West Coast of South America, (page 53).) + </p> + <p> + I do not think you can safely argue that the whole surface was probably + denuded at same time to the level of the lateral patches of Magnesian + conglomerate. + </p> + <p> + The latter part of the paper strikes me as good, but obvious. + </p> + <p> + I shall send him my S. American volume for it is curious on how many + similar points we enter, and I modestly hope it may be a half-oz. weight + towards his conversion to better views. If he would but reject his great + sudden elevations, how sound and good he would be. I doubt whether this + letter will be worth the reading. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 483. TO C. LYELL. Down {September 4th, 1849}. + </p> + <p> + It was very good of you to write me so long a letter, which has interested + me much. I should have answered it sooner, but I have not been very well + for the few last days. Your letter has also flattered me much in many + points. I am very glad you have been thinking over the relation of + subsidence and the accumulation of deposits; it has to me removed many + great difficulties; please to observe that I have carefully abstained from + saying that sediment is not deposited during periods of elevation, but + only that it is not accumulated to sufficient thickness to withstand + subsequent beach action; on both coasts of S. America the amount of + sediment deposited, worn away, and redeposited, oftentimes must have been + enormous, but still there have been no wide formations produced: just read + my discussion (page 135 of my S. American book (483/1. See Letter 556, + note. The discussion referred to ("Geological Observations on South + America," 1846) deals with the causes of the absence of recent + conchiferous deposits on the coasts of South America.)) again with this in + your mind. I never thought of your difficulty (i.e. in relation to this + discussion) of where was the land whence the three miles of S. Wales + strata were derived! (483/2. In his classical paper "On the Denudation of + South Wales and the Adjacent Counties of England" ("Mem. Geol. Survey," + Volume I., page 297, 1846), Ramsay estimates the thickness of certain + Palaeozoic formations in South Wales, and calculates the cubic contents of + the strata in the area they now occupy together with the amount removed by + denudation; and he goes on to say that it is evident that the quantity of + matter employed to form these strata was many times greater than the + entire amount of solid land they now represent above the waves. "To form, + therefore, so great a thickness, a mass of matter of nearly equal cubic + contents must have been worn by the waves and the outpourings of rivers + from neighbouring lands, of which perhaps no original trace now remains" + (page 334.)) Do you not think that it may be explained by a form of + elevation which I have always suspected to have been very common (and, + indeed, had once intended getting all facts together), viz. thus?— + </p> + <p> + (Figure 1. A line drawing of ocean bottom subsiding beside mountains and + continent rising.) + </p> + <p> + The frequency of a DEEP ocean close to a rising continent bordered with + mountains, seems to indicate these opposite movements of rising and + sinking CLOSE TOGETHER; this would easily explain the S. Wales and Eocene + cases. I will only add that I should think there would be a little more + sediment produced during subsidence than during elevation, from the + resulting outline of coast, after long period of rise. There are many + points in my volume which I should like to have discussed with you, but I + will not plague you: I should like to hear whether you think there is + anything in my conjecture on Craters of Elevation (483/3. In the + "Geological Observations on Volcanic Islands," 1844, pages 93-6, Darwin + speaks of St. Helena, St. Jago and Mauritius as being bounded by a ring of + basaltic mountains which he regards as "Craters of Elevation." While + unable to accept the theory of Elie de Beaumont and attribute their + formation to a dome-shaped elevation and consequent arching of the strata, + he recognises a "very great difficulty in admitting that these basaltic + mountains are merely the basal fragments of great volcanoes, of which the + summits have been either blown off, or, more probably, swallowed by + subsidence." An explanation of the origin and structure of these volcanic + islands is suggested which would keep them in the class of "Craters of + Elevation," but which assumes a slow elevation, during which the central + hollow or platform having been formed "not by the arching of the surface, + but simply by that part having been upraised to a less height."); I cannot + possibly believe that Saint Jago or Mauritius are the basal fragments of + ordinary volcanoes; I would sooner even admit E. de Beaumont's views than + that—much as I would sooner in my own mind in all cases follow you. + Just look at page 232 in my "S. America" for a trifling point, which, + however, I remember to this day relieved my mind of a considerable + difficulty. (483/4. This probably refers to a paragraph (page 232) "On the + Eruptive Sources of the Porphyritic Claystone and Greenstone Lavas." The + opinion is put forward that "the difficulty of tracing the streams of + porphyries to their ancient and doubtless numerous eruptive sources, may + be partly explained by the very general disturbance which the Cordillera + in most parts has suffered"; but, Darwin adds, "a more specific cause may + be that 'the original points of eruption tend to become the points of + injection'...On this view of there being a tendency in the old points of + eruption to become the points of subsequent injection and disturbance, and + consequently of denudation, it ceases to be surprising that the streams of + lava in the porphyritic claystone conglomerate formation, and in other + analogous cases, should most rarely be traceable to their actual sources." + The latter part of this letter is published in "Life and Letters," I., + pages 377, 378.) I remember being struck with your discussion on the + Mississippi beds in relation to Pampas, but I should wish to read them + over again; I have, however, re-lent your work to Mrs. Rich, who, like all + whom I have met, has been much interested by it. I will stop about my own + Geology. But I see I must mention that Scrope did suggest (and I have + alluded to him, page 118 (483/5. "Geological Observations," Edition II., + 1876. Chapter VI. opens with a discussion "On the Separation of the + Constituent Minerals of Lava, according to their Specific Gravities." Mr. + Darwin calls attention to the fact that Mr. P. Scrope had speculated on + the subject of the separation of the trachytic and basaltic series of + lavas (page 113).), but without distinct reference and I fear not + sufficiently, though I utterly forgot what he wrote) the separation of + basalt and trachyte; but he does not appear to have thought about the + crystals, which I believe to be the keystone of the phenomenon. I cannot + but think this separation of the molten elements has played a great part + in the metamorphic rocks: how else could the basaltic dykes have come in + the great granitic districts such as those of Brazil? What a wonderful + book for labour is d'Archiac!...(483/6. Possibly this refers to + d'Archiac's "Histoire des Progres de la Geologie," 1848.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 484. TO LADY LYELL. Down, Wednesday night {1849?}. + </p> + <p> + I am going to beg a very very great favour of you: it is to translate one + page (and the title) of either Danish or Swedish or some such language. I + know not to whom else to apply, and I am quite dreadfully interested about + the barnacles therein described. Does Lyell know Loven, or his address and + title? for I must write to him. If Lyell knows him I would use his name as + introduction; Loven I know by name as a first-rate naturalist. + </p> + <p> + Accidentally I forgot to give you the "Footsteps," which I now return, + having ordered a copy for myself. + </p> + <p> + I sincerely hope the "Craters of Denudation" prosper; I pin my faith to + this view. (484/1. "On Craters of Denudation, with Observations on the + Structure and Growth of Volcanic Cones." "Proc. Geol. Soc." Volume VI., + 1850, pages 207-34. In a letter to Bunbury (January 17th, 1850) Lyell + wrote:..."Darwin adopts my views as to Mauritius, St. Jago, and so-called + elevation craters, which he has examined, and was puzzled with."—"Life + of Sir Charles Lyell," Volume II., page 158.) + </p> + <p> + Please tell Sir C. Lyell that outside the crater-like mountains at St. + Jago, even throughout a distance of two or three miles, there has been + much denudation of the older volcanic rocks contemporaneous with those of + the ring of mountains. (484/2. The island of St. Jago, one of the Cape de + Verde group, is fully described in the "Volcanic Islands," Chapter 1.) + </p> + <p> + I hope that you will not find the page troublesome, and that you will + forgive me asking you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 485. TO C. LYELL. {November 6th, 1849}. + </p> + <p> + I have been deeply interested in your letter, and so far, at least, worthy + of the time it must have cost you to write it. I have not much to say. I + look at the whole question as settled. Santorin is splendid! it is + conclusive! it is perfect! (485/1. "The Gulf of Santorin, in the Grecian + Archipelago, has been for two thousand years a scene of active volcanic + operations. The largest of the three outer islands of the groups (to which + the general name of Santorin is given) is called Thera (or sometimes + Santorin), and forms more than two-thirds of the circuit of the Gulf" + ("Principles of Geology," Volume II., Edition X., London, 1868, page 65). + Lyell attributed "the moderate slope of the beds in Thera...to their + having originally descended the inclined flanks of a large volcanic + cone..."; he refuted the theory of "Elevation Craters" by Leopold von + Buch, which explained the slope of the rocks in a volcanic mountain by + assuming that the inclined beds had been originally horizontal and + subsequently tilted by an explosion.) You have read Dufrenoy in a hurry, I + think, and added to the difficulty—it is the whole hill or "colline" + which is composed of tuff with cross-stratification; the central boss or + "monticule" is simply trachyte. Now, I have described one tuff crater at + Galapagos (page 108) (485/2. The pages refer to Darwin's "Geological + Observations on the Volcanic Islands, etc." 1844.) which has broken + through a great solid sheet of basalt: why should not an irregular mass of + trachyte have been left in the middle after the explosion and emission of + mud which produced the overlying tuff? Or, again, I see no difficulty in a + mass of trachyte being exposed by subsequent dislocations and bared or + cleaned by rain. At Ascension (page 40), subsequent to the last great + aeriform explosion, which has covered the country with fragments, there + have been dislocations and a large circular subsidence...Do not quote + Banks' case (485/3. This refers to Banks' Cove: see "Volcanic Islands," + page 107.) (for there has been some denudation there), but the "elliptic + one" (page 105), which is 1,500 yards (three-quarters of a nautical mile) + in internal diameter...and is the very one the inclination of whose mud + stream on tuff strata I measured (before I had ever heard the name + Dufrenoy) and found varying from 25 to 30 deg. Albemarle Island, instead + of being a crater of elevation, as Von Buch foolishly guessed, is formed + of four great subaerial basaltic volcanoes (page 103), of one of which you + might like to know the external diameter of the summit or crater was above + three nautical miles. There are no "craters of denudation" at Galapagos. + (485/4. See Lyell "On Craters of Denudation, with Observations on the + Structure and Growth of Volcanic Cones," "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume + VI., 1850, page 207.) + </p> + <p> + I hope you will allude to Mauritius. I think this is the instance on the + largest scale of any known, though imperfectly known. + </p> + <p> + If I were you I would give up consistency (or, at most, only allude in + note to your old edition) and bring out the Craters of Denudation as a new + view, which it essentially is. You cannot, I think, give it prominence as + a novelty and yet keep to consistency and passages in old editions. I + should grudge this new view being smothered in your address, and should + like to see a separate paper. The one great channel to Santorin and Palma, + etc., etc., is just like the one main channel being kept open in atolls + and encircling barrier reefs, and on the same principle of water being + driven in through several shallow breaches. + </p> + <p> + I of course utterly reprobate my wild notion of circular elevation; it is + a satisfaction to me to think that I perceived there was a screw loose in + the old view, and, so far, I think I was of some service to you. + </p> + <p> + Depend on it, you have for ever smashed, crushed, and abolished craters of + elevation. There must be craters of engulfment, and of explosion (mere + modifications of craters of eruption), but craters of denudation are the + ones which have given rise to all the discussions. + </p> + <p> + Pray give my best thanks to Lady Lyell for her translation, which was as + clear as daylight to me, including "leglessness." + </p> + <p> + LETTER 486. TO C. LYELL. + </p> + <p> + Down {November 20th, 1849}. + </p> + <p> + I remembered the passage in E. de B. {Elie de Beaumont} and have now + re-read it. I have always and do still entirely disbelieve it; in such a + wonderful case he ought to have hammered every inch of rock up to actual + junction; he describes no details of junction, and if I were in your place + I would absolutely dispute the fact of junction (or articulation as he + oddly calls it) on such evidence. I go farther than you; I do not believe + in the world there is or has been a junction between a dike and stream of + lava of exact shape of either (1) or (2) Figure 2}. + </p> + <p> + (Figures 2, 3 and 4.) + </p> + <p> + If dike gave immediate origin to volcanic vent we should have craters of + {an} elliptic shape {Figure 3}. I believe that when the molten rock in a + dike comes near to the surface, some one two or three points will always + certainly chance to afford an easier passage upward to the actual surface + than along the whole line, and therefore that the dike will be connected + (if the whole were bared and dissected) with the vent by a column or cone + (see my elegant drawing) of lava {Figure 4}. I do not doubt that the dikes + are thus indirectly connected with eruptive vents. E. de B. seems to have + observed many of his T; now without he supposes the whole line of fissure + or dike to have poured out lava (which implies, as above remarked, craters + of an elliptic or almost linear shape) on both sides, how extraordinarily + improbable it is, that there should have been in a single line of section + so many intersections of points eruption; he must, I think, make his + orifices of eruption almost linear or, if not so, astonishingly numerous. + One must refer to what one has seen oneself: do pray, when you go home, + look at the section of a minute cone of eruption at the Galapagos, page + 109 (486/1. "Geological Observations on Volcanic Islands." London, 1890, + page 238.), which is the most perfect natural dissection of a crater which + I have ever heard of, and the drawing of which you may, I assure you, + trust; here the arching over of the streams as they were poured out over + the lip of the crater was evident, and are now thus seen united to the + central irregular column. Again, at St. Jago I saw some horizontal + sections of the bases of small craters, and the sources or feeders were + circular. I really cannot entertain a doubt that E. de B. is grossly + wrong, and that you are right in your view; but without most distinct + evidence I will never admit that a dike joins on rectangularly to a stream + of lava. Your argument about the perpendicularity of the dike strikes me + as good. + </p> + <p> + The map of Etna, which I have been just looking at, looks like a sudden + falling in, does it not? I am not much surprised at the linear vent in + Santorin (this linear tendency ought to be difficult to a + circular-crater-of-elevation-believer), I think Abich (486/2. "Geologische + Beobachtungen uber die vulkanischen Erscheinungen und Bildungen in Unter- + und Mittel-Italien." Braunschweig, 1841.) describes having seen the same + actual thing forming within the crater of Vesuvius. In such cases what + outline do you give to the upper surface of the lava in the dike + connecting them? Surely it would be very irregular and would send up + irregular cones or columns as in my above splendid drawing. + </p> + <p> + At the Royal on Friday, after more doubt and misgiving than I almost ever + felt, I voted to recommend Forbes for Royal Medal, and that view was + carried, Sedgwick taking the lead. + </p> + <p> + I am glad to hear that all your party are pretty well. I know from + experience what you must have gone through. From old age with suffering + death must be to all a happy release. (486/3. This seems to refer to the + death of Sir Charles Lyell's father, which occurred on November 8th, + 1849.) + </p> + <p> + I saw Dan Sharpe the other day, and he told me he had been working at the + mica schist (i.e. not gneiss) in Scotland, and that he was quite convinced + my view was right. You are wrong and a heretic on this point, I know well. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 487. TO C.H.L. WOODD. Down, March 4th {1850}. + </p> + <p> + (487/1. The paper was sent in MS., and seems not to have been published. + Mr. Woodd was connected by marriage with Mr. Darwin's cousin, the late + Rev. W. Darwin Fox. It was perhaps in consequence of this that Mr. Darwin + proposed Mr. Woodd for the Geological Society.) + </p> + <p> + I have read over your paper with attention; but first let me thank you for + your very kind expressions towards myself. I really feel hardly competent + to discuss the questions raised by your paper; I feel the want of + mathematical mechanics. All such problems strike me as awfully + complicated; we do not even know what effect great pressure has on + retarding liquefaction by heat, nor, I apprehend, on expansion. The chief + objection which strikes me is a doubt whether a mass of strata, when + heated, and therefore in some slight degree at least softened, would bow + outwards like a bar of metal. Consider of how many subordinate layers each + great mass would be composed, and the mineralogical changes in any length + of any one stratum: I should have thought that the strata would in every + case have crumpled up, and we know how commonly in metamorphic strata, + which have undergone heat, the subordinate layers are wavy and sinuous, + which has always been attributed to their expansion whilst heated. + </p> + <p> + Before rocks are dried and quarried, manifold facts show how extremely + flexible they are even when not at all heated. Without the bowing out and + subsequent filling in of the roof of the cavity, if I understand you, + there would be no subsidence. Of course the crumpling up of the strata + would thicken them, and I see with you that this might compress the + underlying fluidified rock, which in its turn might escape by a volcano or + raise a weaker part of the earth's crust; but I am too ignorant to have + any opinion whether force would be easily propagated through a viscid mass + like molten rock; or whether such viscid mass would not act in some degree + like sand and refuse to transmit pressure, as in the old experiment of + trying to burst a piece of paper tied over the end of a tube with a stick, + an inch or two of sand being only interposed. I have always myself felt + the greatest difficulty in believing in waves of heat coming first to this + and then to that quarter of the world: I suspect that heat plays quite a + subordinate part in the upward and downward movements of the earth's + crust; though of course it must swell the strata where first affected. I + can understand Sir J. Herschel's manner of bringing heat to unheated + strata—namely, by covering them up by a mile or so of new strata, + and then the heat would travel into the lower ones. But who can tell what + effect this mile or two of new sedimentary strata would have from mere + gravity on the level of the supporting surface? Of course such + considerations do not render less true that the expansion of the strata by + heat would have some effect on the level of the surface; but they show us + how awfully complicated the phenomenon is. All young geologists have a + great turn for speculation; I have burned my fingers pretty sharply in + that way, and am now perhaps become over-cautious; and feel inclined to + cavil at speculation when the direct and immediate effect of a cause in + question cannot be shown. How neatly you draw your diagrams; I wish you + would turn your attention to real sections of the earth's crust, and then + speculate to your heart's content on them; I can have no doubt that + speculative men, with a curb on, make far the best observers. I sincerely + wish I could have made any remarks of more interest to you, and more + directly bearing on your paper; but the subject strikes me as too + difficult and complicated. With every good wish that you may go on with + your geological studies, speculations, and especially observations... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 488. TO C. LYELL. Down, March 24th {1853}. + </p> + <p> + I have often puzzled over Dana's case, in itself and in relation to the + trains of S. American volcanoes of different heights in action at the same + time (page 605, Volume V. "Geological Transactions." (488/1. "On the + Connection of certain Volcanic Phenomena in South America, and on the + Formation of Mountain Chains and Volcanoes, as the Effect of the same + Power by which Continents are Elevated" ("Trans. Geol. Soc." Volume V., + page 601, 1840). On page 605 Darwin records instances of the simultaneous + activity after an earthquake of several volcanoes in the Cordillera.)) I + can throw no light on the subject. I presume you remember that Hopkins + (488/2. See "Report on the Geological Theories of Elevation and + Earthquakes," by W. Hopkins, "Brit. Assoc. Rep." 1847, page 34.) in some + one (I forget which) of his papers discusses such cases, and urgently + wishes the height of the fluid lava was known in adjoining volcanoes when + in contemporaneous action; he argues vehemently against (as far as I + remember) volcanoes in action of different heights being connected with + one common source of liquefied rock. If lava was as fluid as water, the + case would indeed be hopeless; and I fancy we should be led to look at the + deep-seated rock as solid though intensely hot, and becoming fluid as soon + as a crack lessened the tension of the super-incumbent strata. But don't + you think that viscid lava might be very slow in communicating its + pressure equally in all directions? I remember thinking strongly that + Dana's case within the one crater of Kilauea proved too much; it really + seems monstrous to suppose that the lava within the same crater is not + connected at no very great depth. + </p> + <p> + When one reflects on (and still better sees) the enormous masses of lava + apparently shot miles high up, like cannon-balls, the force seems out of + all proportion to the mere gravity of the liquefied lava; I should think + that a channel a little straightly or more open would determine the line + of explosion, like the mouth of a cannon compared to the touch-hole. If a + high-pressure boiler was cracked across, no one would think for a moment + that the quantity of water and steam expelled at different points depended + on the less or greater height of the water within the boiler above these + points, but on the size of the crack at these points; and steam and water + might be driven out both at top and bottom. May not a volcano be likened + to a protruding and cracked portion on a vast natural high-pressure + boiler, formed by the surrounding area of country? In fact, I think my + simile would be truer if the difference consisted only in the cracked case + of the boiler being much thicker in some parts than in others, and + therefore having to expel a greater thickness or depth of water in the + thicker cracks or parts—a difference of course absolutely as + nothing. + </p> + <p> + I have seen an old boiler in action, with steam and drops of water + spurting out of some of the rivet-holes. No one would think whether the + rivet-holes passed through a greater or less thickness of iron, or were + connected with the water higher or lower within the boiler, so small would + the gravity be compared with the force of the steam. If the boiler had + been not heated, then of course there would be a great difference whether + the rivet-holes entered the water high or low, so that there was greater + or less pressure of gravity. How to close my volcanic rivet-holes I don't + know. + </p> + <p> + I do not know whether you will understand what I am driving at, and it + will not signify much whether you do or not. I remember in old days (I may + mention the subject as we are on it) often wishing I could get you to look + at continental elevations as THE phenomenon, and volcanic outbursts and + tilting up of mountain chains as connected, but quite secondary, + phenomena. I became deeply impressed with the truth of this view in S. + America, and I do not think you hold it, or if so make it clear: the same + explanation, whatever it may be, which will account for the whole coast of + Chili rising, will and must apply to the volcanic action of the + Cordillera, though modified no doubt by the liquefied rock coming to the + surface and reaching water, and so {being} rendered explosive. To me it + appears that this ought to be borne in mind in your present subject of + discussion. I have written at too great length; and have amused myself if + I have done you no good—so farewell. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 489. TO C. LYELL. Down, July 5th {1856}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your long letter, which has interested me much; + but before coming to the volcanic cosmogony I must say that I cannot + gather your verdict as judge and jury (and not as advocate) on the + continental extensions of late authors (489/1. See "Life and Letters," + II., page 74; Letter to Lyell, June 25th, 1856: also letters in the + sections of the present work devoted to Evolution and Geographical + Distribution.), which I must grapple with, and which as yet strikes me as + quite unphilosophical, inasmuch as such extensions must be applied to + every oceanic island, if to any one, as to Madeira; and this I cannot + admit, seeing that the skeletons, at least, of our continents are ancient, + and seeing the geological nature of the oceanic islands themselves. Do aid + me with your judgment: if I could honestly admit these great {extensions}, + they would do me good service. + </p> + <p> + With respect to active volcanic areas being rising areas, which looks so + pretty on the coral maps, I have formerly felt "uncomfortable" on exactly + the same grounds with you, viz. maritime position of volcanoes; and still + more from the immense thicknesses of Silurian, etc., volcanic strata, + which thicknesses at first impress the mind with the idea of subsidence. + If this could be proved, the theory would be smashed; but in deep oceans, + though the bottom were rising, great thicknesses of submarine lava might + accumulate. But I found, after writing Coral Book, cases in my notes of + submarine vesicular lava-streams in the upper masses of the Cordillera, + formed, as I believe, during subsidence, which staggered me greatly. With + respect to the maritime position of volcanoes, I have long been coming to + the conclusion that there must be some law causing areas of elevation + (consequently of land) and of subsidence to be parallel (as if balancing + each other) and closely approximate; I think this from the form of + continents with a deep ocean on one side, from coral map, and especially + from conversations with you on immense subsidences of the Carboniferous + and {other} periods, and yet with continued great supply of sediment. If + this be so, such areas, with opposite movements, would probably be + separated by sets of parallel cracks, and would be the seat of volcanoes + and tilts, and consequently volcanoes and mountains would be apt to be + maritime; but why volcanoes should cling to the rising edge of the cracks + I cannot conjecture. That areas with extinct volcanic archipelagoes may + subside to any extent I do not doubt. + </p> + <p> + Your view of the bottom of Atlantic long sinking with continued volcanic + outbursts and local elevations at Madeira, Canaries, etc., grates (but of + course I do not know how complex the phenomena are which are thus + explained) against my judgment; my general ideas strongly lead me to + believe in elevatory movements being widely extended. One ought, I think, + never to forget that when a volcano is in action we have distinct proof of + an action from within outwards. Nor should we forget, as I believe follows + from Hopkins (489/2. "Researches in Physical Geology," W. Hopkins, "Trans. + Phil. Soc. Cambridge," Volume VI., 1838. See also "Report on the + Geological Theories of Elevation and Earthquakes," W. Hopkins, "Brit. + Assoc. Rep." page 33, 1847 (Oxford meeting).), and as I have insisted in + my Earthquake paper, that volcanoes and mountain chains are mere accidents + resulting from the elevation of an area, and as mountain chains are + generally long, so should I view areas of elevation as generally large. + (489/3. "On the Connexion of certain Volcanic Phenomena in S. America, and + on the Formation of Mountain Chains and Volcanoes, as the Effect of the + same Power by which Continents are Elevated," "Trans. Geol. Soc." Volume + V., page 601, 1840. "Bearing in mind Mr. Hopkins' demonstration, if there + be considerable elevation there must be fissures, and, if fissures, almost + certainly unequal upheaval, or subsequent sinking down, the argument may + be finally thus put: mountain chains are the effects of continental + elevations; continental elevations and the eruptive force of volcanoes are + due to one great motive, now in progressive action..." (loc. cit., page + 629).) + </p> + <p> + Your old original view that great oceans must be sinking areas, from there + being causes making land and yet there being little land, has always + struck me till lately as very good. But in some degree this starts from + the assumption that within periods of which we know anything there was + either a continent in such areas, or at least a sea-bottom of not extreme + depth. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 490. TO C. LYELL. King's Head Hotel, Sandown, Isle of Wight, July + 18th {1858}. + </p> + <p> + I write merely to thank you for the abstract of the Etna paper. (490/1. + "On the Structure of Lavas which have Consolidated on Steep Slopes, with + Remarks on the Mode of Origin of Mount Etna and on the Theory of 'Craters + of Elevation,'" by C. Lyell, "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." Volume CXLVIII., page + 703, 1859.) It seems to me a very grand contribution to our volcanic + knowledge. Certainly I never expected to see E. de B.'s {Elie de Beaumont} + theory of slopes so completely upset. He must have picked out favourable + cases for measurement. And such an array of facts he gives! You have + scotched, and will see die, I now think, the Crater of Elevation theory. + But what vitality there is in a plausible theory! (490/2. The rest of this + letter is published in "Life and Letters," II., page 129.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 491. TO C. LYELL. Down, November 25th {1860}. + </p> + <p> + I have endeavoured to think over your discussion, but not with much + success. You will have to lay down, I think, very clearly, what foundation + you argue from—four parts (which seems to me exceedingly moderate on + your part) of Europe being now at rest, with one part undergoing movement. + How it is, that from this you can argue that the one part which is now + moving will have rested since the commencement of the Glacial period in + the proportion of four to one, I do not pretend to see with any clearness; + but does not your argument rest on the assumption that within a given + period, say two or three million years, the whole of Europe necessarily + has to undergo movement? This may be probable or not so, but it seems to + me that you must explain the foundation of your argument from space to + time, which at first, to me was very far from obvious. I can, of course, + see that if you can make out your argument satisfactorily to yourself and + others it would be most valuable. I can imagine some one saying that it is + not fair to argue that the great plains of Europe and the mountainous + districts of Scotland and Wales have been at all subjected to the same + laws of movement. Looking to the whole world, it has been my opinion, from + the very size of the continents and oceans, and especially from the + enormous ranges of so many mountain-chains (resulting from cracks which + follow from vast areas of elevation, as Hopkins argues (491/1. See "Report + on the Geological Theories of Elevation and Earthquakes." by William + Hopkins. "Brit. Assoc. Rep." 1847, pages 33-92; also the Anniversary + Address to the Geological Society by W. Hopkins in 1852 ("Quart. Journ. + Geol. Soc." Volume VIII.); in this Address, pages lxviii et seq.) + reference is made to the theory of elevation which rests on the + supposition "of the simultaneous action of an upheaving force at every + point of the area over which the phenomena of elevation preserve a certain + character of continuity...The elevated mass...becomes stretched, and is + ultimately torn and fissured in those directions in which the tendency + thus to tear is greatest...It is thus that the complex phenomena of + elevation become referable to a general and simple mechanical cause...")) + and from other reasons, it has been my opinion that, as a general rule, + very large portions of the world have been simultaneously affected by + elevation or subsidence. I can see that this does not apply so strongly to + broken Europe, any more than to the Malay Archipelago. Yet, had I been + asked, I should have said that probably nearly the whole of Europe was + subjected during the Glacial period to periods of elevation and of + subsidence. It does not seem to me so certain that the kinds of partial + movement which we now see going on show us the kind of movement which + Europe has been subjected to since the commencement of the Glacial period. + These notions are at least possible, and would they not vitiate your + argument? Do you not rest on the belief that, as Scandinavia and some few + other parts are now rising, and a few others sinking, and the remainder at + rest, so it has been since the commencement of the Glacial period? With my + notions I should require this to be made pretty probable before I could + put much confidence in your calculations. You have probably thought this + all over, but I give you the reflections which come across me, supposing + for the moment that you took the proportions of space at rest and in + movement as plainly applicable to time. I have no doubt that you have + sufficient evidence that, at the commencement of the Glacial period, the + land in Scotland, Wales, etc., stood as high or higher than at present, + but I forget the proofs. + </p> + <p> + Having burnt my own fingers so consumedly with the Wealden, I am fearful + for you, but I well know how infinitely more cautious, prudent, and + far-seeing you are than I am; but for heaven's sake take care of your + fingers; to burn them severely, as I have done, is very unpleasant. + </p> + <p> + Your 2 1/2 feet for a century of elevation seems a very handsome + allowance. can D. Forbes really show the great elevation of Chili? I am + astounded at it, and I took some pains on the point. + </p> + <p> + I do not pretend to say that you may not be right to judge of the past + movements of Europe by those now and recently going on, yet it somehow + grates against my judgment,—perhaps only against my prejudices. + </p> + <p> + As a change from elevation to subsidence implies some great subterranean + or cosmical change, one may surely calculate on long intervals of rest + between. Though, if the cause of the change be ever proved to be + astronomical, even this might be doubtful. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I do not know whether I have made clear what I think probable, + or at least possible: viz., that the greater part of Europe has at times + been elevated in some degree equably; at other times it has all subsided + equably; and at other times might all have been stationary; and at other + times it has been subjected to various unequal movements, up and down, as + at present. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 492. TO C. LYELL. Down, December 4th {1860}. + </p> + <p> + It certainly seems to me safer to rely solely on the slowness of + ascertained up-and-down movement. But you could argue length of probable + time before the movement became reversed, as in your letter. And might you + not add that over the whole world it would probably be admitted that a + larger area is NOW at rest than in movement? and this I think would be a + tolerably good reason for supposing long intervals of rest. You might even + adduce Europe, only guarding yourself by saying that possibly (I will not + say probably, though my prejudices would lead me to say so) Europe may at + times have gone up and down all together. I forget whether in a former + letter you made a strong point of upward movement being always interrupted + by long periods of rest. After writing to you, out of curiosity I glanced + at the early chapters in my "Geology of South America," and the areas of + elevation on the E. and W. coasts are so vast, and proofs of many + successive periods of rest so striking, that the evidence becomes to my + mind striking. With regard to the astronomical causes of change: in + ancient days in the "Beagle" when I reflected on the repeated great + oscillations of level on the very same area, and when I looked at the + symmetry of mountain chains over such vast spaces, I used to conclude that + the day would come when the slow change of form in the semi-fluid matter + beneath the crust would be found to be the cause of volcanic action, and + of all changes of level. And the late discussion in the "Athenaeum" + (492/1. "On the Change of Climate in Different Regions of the Earth." + Letters from Sir Henry James, Col. R.E., "Athenaeum," August 25th, 1860, + page 256; September 15th, page 355; September 29th, page 415; October + 13th, page 483. Also letter from J. Beete Jukes, Local Director of the + Geological Survey of Ireland, loc. cit., September 8th, page 322; October + 6th, page 451.), by Sir H. James (though his letter seemed to me mighty + poor, and what Jukes wrote good), reminded me of this notion. In case + astronomical agencies should ever be proved or rendered probable, I + imagine, as in nutation or precession, that an upward movement or + protrusion of fluidified matter below might be immediately followed by + movement of an opposite nature. This is all that I meant. + </p> + <p> + I have not read Jamieson, or yet got the number. (492/2. Possibly William + Jameson, "Journey from Quito to Cayambe," "Geog. Soc. Journ." Volume + XXXI., page 184, 1861.) I was very much struck with Forbes' explanation of + n{itrate} of soda beds and the saliferous crust, which I saw and examined + at Iquique. (492/3. "On the Geology of Bolivia and Southern Peru," by D. + Forbes, "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XVII., page 7, 1861. Mr. Forbes + attributes the formation of the saline deposits to lagoons of salt water, + the communication of which with the sea has been cut off by the rising of + the land (loc. cit., page 13).) I often speculated on the greater rise + inland of the Cordilleras, and could never satisfy myself... + </p> + <p> + I have not read Stur, and am awfully behindhand in many things...(492/4. + The end of this letter is published as a footnote in "Life and Letters," + II., page 352.) + </p> + <p> + (FIGURE 5. Map of part of South America and the Galapagos Archipelago.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 493. TO C. LYELL. Down, July 18th {1867}. + </p> + <p> + (493/1. The first part of this letter is published in "Life and Letters," + III., page 71.) + </p> + <p> + (493/2. Tahiti (Society Islands) is coloured blue in the map showing the + distribution of the different kinds of reefs in "The Structure and + Distribution of Coral Reefs," Edition III., 1889, page 185. The blue + colour indicates the existence of barrier reefs and atolls which, on + Darwin's theory, point to subsidence.) + </p> + <p> + Tahiti is, I believe, rightly coloured, for the reefs are so far from the + land, and the ocean so deep, that there must have been subsidence, though + not very recently. I looked carefully, and there is no evidence of recent + elevation. I quite agree with you versus Herschel on Volcanic Islands. + (493/3. Sir John Herschel suggested that the accumulation on the sea-floor + of sediment, derived from the waste of the island, presses down the bed of + the ocean, the continent being on the other hand relieved of pressure; + "this brings about a state of strain in the crust which will crack in its + weakest spot, the heavy side going down, and the light side rising." In + discussing this view Lyell writes ("Principles," Volume II. Edition X., + page 229), "This hypothesis appears to me of very partial application, for + active volcanoes, even such as are on the borders of continents, are + rarely situated where great deltas have been forming, whether in Pliocene + or post-Tertiary times. The number, also, of active volcanoes in oceanic + islands is very great, not only in the Pacific, but equally in the + Atlantic, where no load of coral matter...can cause a partial weighting + and pressing down of a supposed flexible crust.") Would not the Atlantic + and Antarctic volcanoes be the best examples for you, as there then can be + no coral mud to depress the bottom? In my "Volcanic Islands," page 126, I + just suggest that volcanoes may occur so frequently in the oceanic areas + as the surface would be most likely to crack when first being elevated. I + find one remark, page 128 (493/4. "Volcanic Islands," page 128: "The + islands, moreover, of some of the small volcanic groups, which thus border + continents, are placed in lines related to those along which the adjoining + shores of the continents trend" {see Figure 5}.), which seems to me worth + consideration—viz. the parallelism of the lines of eruption in + volcanic archipelagoes with the coast lines of the nearest continent, for + this seems to indicate a mechanical rather than a chemical connection in + both cases, i.e. the lines of disturbance and cracking. In my "South + American Geology," page 185 (493/5. "Geological Observations on South + America," London, 1846, page 185.), I allude to the remarkable absence at + present of active volcanoes on the east side of the Cordillera in relation + to the absence of the sea on this side. Yet I must own I have long felt a + little sceptical on the proximity of water being the exciting cause. The + one volcano in the interior of Asia is said, I think, to be near great + lakes; but if lakes are so important, why are there not many other + volcanoes within other continents? I have always felt rather inclined to + look at the position of volcanoes on the borders of continents, as + resulting from coast lines being the lines of separation between areas of + elevation and subsidence. But it is useless in me troubling you with my + old speculations. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 494. TO A.R. WALLACE. March 22nd {1869}. + </p> + <p> + (494/1. The following extract from a letter to Mr. Wallace refers to his + "Malay Archipelago," 1869.) + </p> + <p> + I have only one criticism of a general nature, and I am not sure that + other geologists would agree with me. You repeatedly speak as if the + pouring out of lava, etc., from volcanoes actually caused the subsidence + of an adjoining area. I quite agree that areas undergoing opposite + movements are somehow connected; but volcanic outbursts must, I think, be + looked at as mere accidents in the swelling up of a great dome or surface + of plutonic rocks, and there seems no more reason to conclude that such + swelling or elevation in mass is the cause of the subsidence, than that + the subsidence is the cause of the elevation, which latter view is indeed + held by some geologists. I have regretted to find so little about the + habits of the many animals which you have seen. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 495. TO C. LYELL. Down, May 20th, 1869. + </p> + <p> + I have been much pleased to hear that you have been looking at my S. + American book (495/1. "Geological Observations on South America," London, + 1846.), which I thought was as completely dead and gone as any + pre-Cambrian fossil. You are right in supposing that my memory about + American geology has grown very hazy. I remember, however, a paper on the + Cordillera by D. Forbes (495/2. "Geology of Bolivia and South Peru," by + Forbes, "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XVII., pages 7-62, 1861. Forbes + admits that there is "the fullest evidence of elevation of the Chile coast + since the arrival of the Spaniards. North of Arica, if we accept the + evidence of M. d'Orbigny and others, the proof of elevation is much more + decided; and consequently it may be possible that here, as is the case + about Lima, according to Darwin, the elevation may have taken place + irregularly in places..." (loc. cit., page 11).), with splendid sections, + which I saw in MS., but whether "referred" to me or lent to me I cannot + remember. This would be well worth your looking to, as I think he both + supports and criticises my views. In Ormerod's Index to the Journal + (495/3. "Classified Index to the Transactions, Proceedings and Quarterly + Journal of the Geological Society."), which I do not possess, you would, + no doubt, find a reference; but I think the sections would be worth + borrowing from Forbes. Domeyko (495/4. Reference is made by Forbes in his + paper on Bolivia and Peru to the work of Ignacio Domeyko on the geology of + Chili. Several papers by this author were published in the "Annales des + Mines" between 1840 and 1869, also in the "Comptes Rendus" of 1861, 1864, + etc.) has published in the "Comptes Rendus" papers on Chili, but not, as + far as I can remember, on the structure of the mountains. Forbes, however, + would know. What you say about the plications being steepest in the + central and generally highest part of the range is conclusive to my mind + that there has been the chief axis of disturbance. The lateral thrusting + has always appeared to me fearfully perplexing. I remember formerly + thinking that all lateral flexures probably occurred deep beneath the + surface, and have been brought into view by an enormous superincumbent + mass having been denuded. If a large and deep box were filled with layers + of damp paper or clay, and a blunt wedge was slowly driven up from + beneath, would not the layers above it and on both sides become greatly + convoluted, whilst those towards the top would be only slightly arched? + When I spoke of the Andes being comparatively recent, I suppose that I + referred to the absence of the older formations. In looking to my volume, + which I have not done for many years, I came upon a passage (page 232) + which would be worth your looking at, if you have ever felt perplexed, as + I often was, about the sources of volcanic rocks in mountain chains. You + have stirred up old memories, and at the risk of being a bore I should + like to call your attention to another point which formerly perplexed me + much—viz. the presence of basaltic dikes in most great granitic + areas. I cannot but think the explanation given at page 123 of my + "Volcanic Islands" is the true one. (495/5. On page 123 of the "Geological + Observations on the Volcanic Islands visited during the Voyage of H.M.S. + 'Beagle,'" 1844, Darwin quotes several instances of greenstone and + basaltic dikes intersecting granitic and allied metamorphic rocks. He + suggests that these dikes "have been formed by fissures penetrating into + partially cooled rocks of the granitic and metamorphic series, and by + their more fluid parts, consisting chiefly of hornblende oozing out, and + being sucked into such fissures.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 496. TO VICTOR CARUS. Down, March 21st, 1876. + </p> + <p> + The very kind expressions in your letter have gratified me deeply. + </p> + <p> + I quite forget what I said about my geological works, but the papers + referred to in your letter are the right ones. I enclose a list with those + which are certainly not worth translating marked with a red line; but + whether those which are not thus marked with a red line are worth + translation you will have to decide. I think much more highly of my book + on "Volcanic Islands" since Mr. Judd, by far the best judge on the subject + in England, has, as I hear, learnt much from it. + </p> + <p> + I think the short paper on the "formation of mould" is worth translating, + though, if I have time and strength, I hope to write another and longer + paper on the subject. + </p> + <p> + I can assure you that the idea of any one translating my books better than + you never even momentarily crossed my mind. I am glad that you can give a + fairly good account of your health, or at least that it is not worse. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 497. TO T. MELLARD READE. London, December 9th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry to say that I do not return home till the middle of next week, + and as I order no pamphlets to be forwarded to me by post, I cannot return + the "Geolog. Mag." until my return home, nor could my servants pick it out + of the multitude which come by the post. (497/1. Article on "Oceanic + Islands," by T. Mellard Reade, "Geol. Mag." Volume VIII., page 75, 1881.) + </p> + <p> + As I remarked in a letter to a friend, with whom I was discussing + Wallace's last book (497/2. Wallace's "Island Life," 1880.), the subject + to which you refer seems to me a most perplexing one. The fact which I + pointed out many years ago, that all oceanic islands are volcanic (except + St. Paul's, and now this is viewed by some as the nucleus of an ancient + volcano), seems to me a strong argument that no continent ever occupied + the great oceans. (497/3. "During my investigations on coral reefs I had + occasion to consult the works of many voyagers, and I was invariably + struck with the fact that, with rare exceptions, the innumerable islands + scattered through the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans were composed + either of volcanic or of modern coral rocks" ("Geological Observations on + Volcanic Islands, etc." Edition II., 1876, page 140).) Then there comes + the statement from the "Challenger" that all sediment is deposited within + one or two hundred miles from the shores, though I should have thought + this rather doubtful with respect to great rivers like the Amazons. + </p> + <p> + The chalk formerly seemed to me the best case of an ocean having extended + where a continent now stands; but it seems that some good judges deny that + the chalk is an oceanic deposit. On the whole, I lean to the side that the + continents have since Cambrian times occupied approximately their present + positions. But, as I have said, the question seems a difficult one, and + the more it is discussed the better. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 498. TO A. AGASSIZ. Down, January 1st, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I must write a line or two to thank you much for having written to me so + long a letter on coral reefs at a time when you must have been so busy. Is + it not difficult to avoid believing that the wonderful elevation in the + West Indies must have been accompanied by much subsidence, notwithstanding + the state of Florida? (498/1. The Florida reefs cannot be explained by + subsidence. Alexander Agassiz, who has described these reefs in detail + ("Three Cruises of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Steamer 'Blake,'" 2 + volumes, London, 1888), shows that the southern extremity of the peninsula + "is of comparatively recent growth, consisting of concentric + barrier-reefs, which have been gradually converted into land by the + accumulation of intervening mud-flats" (see also Appendix II., page 287, + to Darwin's "Coral Reefs," by T.G. Bonney, Edition III., 1889.)) When + reflecting in old days on the configuration of our continents, the + position of mountain chains, and especially on the long-continued supply + of sediment over the same areas, I used to think (as probably have many + other persons) that areas of elevation and subsidence must as a general + rule be separated by a single great line of fissure, or rather of several + closely adjoining lines of fissure. I mention this because, when looking + within more recent times at charts with the depths of the sea marked by + different tints, there seems to be some connection between the profound + depths of the ocean and the trends of the nearest, though distant, + continents; and I have often wished that some one like yourself, to whom + the subject was familiar, would speculate on it. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I do hope that you will re-urge your views about the + reappearance of old characters (498/2. See "Life and Letters," III., pages + 245, 246.), for, as far as I can judge, the most important views are often + neglected unless they are urged and re-urged. + </p> + <p> + I am greatly indebted to you for sending me very many most valuable works + published at your institution. + </p> + <p> + 2.IX.II. ICE-ACTION, 1841-1882. LETTER 499. TO C. LYELL. {1841.} + </p> + <p> + Your extract has set me puzzling very much, and as I find I am better at + present for not going out, you must let me unload my mind on paper. I + thought everything so beautifully clear about glaciers, but now your case + and Agassiz's statement about the cavities in the rock formed by cascades + in the glaciers, shows me I don't understand their structure at all. I + wish out of pure curiosity I could make it out. (499/1. "Etudes sur les + Glaciers," by Louis Agassiz, 1840, contains a description of cascades + (page 343), and "des cavites interieures" (page 348).) + </p> + <p> + If the glacier travelled on (and it certainly does travel on), and the + water kept cutting back over the edge of the ice, there would be a great + slit in front of the cascade; if the water did not cut back, the whole + hollow and cascade, as you say, must travel on; and do you suppose the + next season it falls down some crevice higher up? In any case, how in the + name of Heaven can it make a hollow in solid rock, which surely must be a + work of many years? I must point out another fact which Agassiz does not, + as it appears to me, leave very clear. He says all the blocks on the + surface of the glaciers are angular, and those in the moraines rounded, + yet he says the medial moraines whence the surface rocks come and are a + part {of}, are only two lateral moraines united. Can he refer to terminal + moraines alone when he says fragments in moraines are rounded? What a + capital book Agassiz's is. In {reading} all the early part I gave up + entirely the Jura blocks, and was heartily ashamed of my appendix (499/2. + "M. Agassiz has lately written on the subject of the glaciers and boulders + of the Alps. He clearly proves, as it appears to me, that the presence of + the boulders on the Jura cannot be explained by any debacle, or by the + power of ancient glaciers driving before them moraines...M. Agassiz also + denies that they were transported by floating ice." ("Voyages of the + 'Adventure' and 'Beagle,'" Volume III., 1839: "Journal and Remarks: + Addenda," page 617.)) (and am so still of the manner in which I + presumptuously speak of Agassiz), but it seems by his own confession that + ordinary glaciers could not have transported the blocks there, and if an + hypothesis is to be introduced the sea is much simpler; floating ice seems + to me to account for everything as well as, and sometimes better than the + solid glaciers. The hollows, however, formed by the ice-cascades appear to + me the strongest hostile fact, though certainly, as you said, one sees + hollow round cavities on present rock-beaches. + </p> + <p> + I am glad to observe that Agassiz does not pretend that direction of + scratches is hostile to floating ice. By the way, how do you and Buckland + account for the "tails" of diluvium in Scotland? (499/3. Mr. Darwin speaks + of the tails of diluvium in Scotland extending from the protected side of + a hill, of which the opposite side, facing the direction from which the + ice came, is marked by grooves and striae (loc. cit., pages 622, 623).) I + thought in my appendix this made out the strongest argument for rocks + having been scratched by floating ice. + </p> + <p> + Some facts about boulders in Chiloe will, I think, in a very small degree + elucidate some parts of Jura case. What a grand new feature all this ice + work is in Geology! How old Hutton would have stared! (499/4. Sir Charles + Lyell speaks of the Huttonian theory as being characterised by "the + exclusion of all causes not supposed to belong to the present order of + Nature" (Lyell's "Principles," Edition XII., volume I., page 76, 1875). + Sir Archibald Geikie has recently edited the third volume of Hutton's + "Theory of the Earth," printed by the Geological Society, 1899. See also + "The Founders of Geology," by Sir Archibald Geikie; London, 1897.) + </p> + <p> + I ought to be ashamed of myself for scribbling on so. Talking of shame, I + have sent a copy of my "Journal" (499/5. "Journal and Remarks," 1832-36. + See note 2, page 148.) with very humble note to Agassiz, as an apology for + the tone I used, though I say, I daresay he has never seen my appendix, or + would care at all about it. + </p> + <p> + I did not suppose my note about Glen Roy could have been of any use to you—I + merely scribbled what came uppermost. I made one great oversight, as you + would perceive. I forgot the Glacier theory: if a glacier most gradually + disappeared from mouth of Spean Valley {this} would account for buttresses + of shingle below lowest shelf. The difficulty I put about the ice-barrier + of the middle Glen Roy shelf keeping so long at exactly same level does + certainly appear to me insuperable. (499/5. For a description of the + shelves or parallel roads in Glen Roy see Darwin's "Observations on the + Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, etc." "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1839, page 39; + also Letter 517 et seq.) + </p> + <p> + What a wonderful fact this breakdown of old Niagara is. How it disturbs + the calculations about lengths of time before the river would have reached + the lakes. + </p> + <p> + I hope Mrs. Lyell will read this to you, then I shall trust for + forgiveness for having scribbled so much. I should have sent back Agassiz + sooner, but my servant has been very unwell. Emma is going on pretty well. + </p> + <p> + My paper on South American boulders and "till," which latter deposit is + perfectly characterised in Tierra del Fuego, is progressing rapidly. + (499/6. "On the Distribution of the Erratic Boulders and on the + Contemporaneous Unstratified Deposits of South America," "Trans. Geol. + Soc." Volume VI., page 415, 1842.) + </p> + <p> + I much like the term post-Pliocene, and will use it in my present paper + several times. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I should have thought that the most obvious objection to the + marine-beach theory for Glen Roy would be the limited extension of the + shelves. Though certainly this is not a valid one, after an intermediate + one, only half a mile in length, and nowhere else appearing, even in the + valley of Glen Roy itself, has been shown to exist. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 500. TO C. LYELL. 1842. + </p> + <p> + I had some talk with Murchison, who has been on a flying visit into Wales, + and he can see no traces of glaciers, but only of the trickling of water + and of the roots of the heath. It is enough to make an extraneous man + think Geology from beginning to end a work of imagination, and not founded + on observation. Lonsdale, I observe, pays Buckland and myself the + compliment of thinking Murchison not seeing as worth nothing; but I + confess I am astonished, so glaringly clear after two or three days did + the evidence appear to me. Have you seen last "New Edin. Phil. Journ.", it + is ice and glaciers almost from beginning to end. (500/1. "The Edinburgh + New Philosophical Journal," Volume XXXIII. (April-October), 1842, contains + papers by Sir G.S. Mackenzie, Prof. H.G. Brown, Jean de Charpentier, + Roderick Murchison, Louis Agassiz, all dealing with glaciers or ice; also + letters to the Editor relating to Prof. Forbes' account of his recent + observations on Glaciers, and a paper by Charles Darwin entitled "Notes on + the Effects produced by the Ancient Glaciers of Carnarvonshire, and on the + Boulders transported by Floating Ice.") Agassiz says he saw (and has laid + down) the two lowest terraces of Glen Roy in the valley of the Spean, + opposite mouth of Glen Roy itself, where no one else has seen them. + (500/2. "The Glacial Theory and its Recent Progress," by Louis Agassiz, + loc. cit., page 216. Agassiz describes the parallel terraces on the flanks + of Glen Roy and Glen Spean (page 236), and expresses himself convinced + "that the Glacial theory alone satisfies all the exigencies of the + phenomenon" of the parallel roads.) I carefully examined that spot, owing + to the sheep tracks {being} nearly but not quite parallel to the terrace. + So much, again, for difference of observation. I do not pretend to say who + is right. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 501. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, October 12th, 1849. + </p> + <p> + I was heartily glad to get your last letter; but on my life your thanks + for my very few and very dull letters quite scalded me. I have been very + indolent and selfish in not having oftener written to you and kept my ears + open for news which would have interested you; but I have not forgotten + you. Two days after receiving your letter, there was a short leading + notice about you in the "Gardeners' Chronicle" (501/1. The "Gardeners' + Chronicle," 1849, page 628.); in which it is said you have discovered a + noble crimson rose and thirty rhododendrons. I must heartily congratulate + you on these discoveries, which will interest the public; and I have no + doubt that you will have made plenty of most interesting botanical + observations. This last letter shall be put with all your others, which + are now safe together. I am very glad that you have got minute details + about the terraces in the valleys: your description sounds curiously like + the terraces in the Cordillera of Chili; these latter, however, are single + in each valley; but you will hereafter see a description of these terraces + in my "Geology of S. America." (501/2. "Geological Observations," pages 10 + et passim.) At the end of your letter you speak about giving up Geology, + but you must not think of it; I am sure your observations will be very + interesting. Your account of the great dam in the Yangma valley is most + curious, and quite full; I find that I did not at all understand its + wonderful structure in your former letter. Your notion of glaciers pushing + detritus into deep fiords (and ice floating fragments on their channels), + is in many respects new to me; but I cannot help believing your dam is a + lateral moraine: I can hardly persuade myself that the remains of floating + ice action, at a period so immensely remote as when the Himalaya stood at + a low level in the sea, would now be distinguishable. (501/3. Hooker's + "Himalayan Journals," Volume II., page 121, 1854. In describing certain + deposits in the Lachoong valley, Hooker writes: "Glaciers might have + forced immense beds of gravel into positions that would dam up lakes + between the ice and the flanks of the valley" (page 121). In a footnote he + adds: "We are still very ignorant of many details of ice action, and + especially of the origin of many enormous deposits which are not true + moraines." Such deposits are referred to as occurring in the Yangma + valley.) Your not having found scored boulders and solid rocks is an + objection both to glaciers and floating ice; for it is certain that both + produce such. I believe no rocks escape scoring, polishing and + mammillation in the Alps, though some lose it easily when exposed. Are you + familiar with appearance of ice-action? If I understand rightly, you + object to the great dam having been produced by a glacier, owing to the + dryness of the lateral valley and general infrequency of glaciers in + Himalaya; but pray observe that we may fairly (from what we see in Europe) + assume that the climate was formerly colder in India, and when the land + stood at a lower height more snow might have fallen. Oddly enough, I am + now inclined to believe that I saw a gigantic moraine crossing a valley, + and formerly causing a lake above it in one of the great valleys (Valle + del Yeso) of the Cordillera: it is a mountain of detritus, which has + puzzled me. If you have any further opportunities, do look for scores on + steep faces of rock; and here and there remove turf or matted parts to + have a look. Again I beg, do not give up Geology:—I wish you had + Agassiz's work and plates on Glaciers. (501/4. "Etudes sur les Glaciers." + L. Agassiz, Neuchatel, 1840.) I am extremely sorry that the Rajah, ill + luck to him, has prevented your crossing to Thibet; but you seem to have + seen most interesting country: one is astonished to hear of Fuegian + climate in India. I heard from the Sabines that you were thinking of + giving up Borneo; I hope that this report may prove true. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 502. TO C. LYELL. Down, May 8th {1855}. + </p> + <p> + The notion you refer to was published in the "Geological Journal" (502/1. + "on the Transportal of Erratic Boulders from a lower to a higher Level." + By C. Darwin.), Volume IV. (1848), page 315, with reference to all the + cases which I could collect of boulders apparently higher than the parent + rock. + </p> + <p> + The argument of probable proportion of rock dropped by sea ice compared to + land glaciers is new to me. I have often thought of the idea of the + viscosity and enormous momentum of great icebergs, and still think that + the notion I pointed out in appendix to Ramsay's paper is probable, and + can hardly help being applicable in some cases. (502/2. The paper by + Ramsay has no appendix; probably, therefore Mr. Darwin's notes were + published separately as a paper in the "Phil. Mag.") I wonder whether the + "Phil. Journal {Magazine?.}" would publish it, if I could get it from + Ramsay or the Geological Society. (502/3. "On the Power of Icebergs to + make rectilinear, uniformly-directed grooves across a Submarine Undulatory + Surface." By C. Darwin, "Phil. Mag." Volume X., page 96, 1855.) If you + chance to meet Ramsay will you ask him whether he has it? I think it would + perhaps be worth while just to call the N. American geologists' attention + to the idea; but it is not worth any trouble. I am tremendously busy with + all sorts of experiments. By the way, Hopkins at the Geological Society + seemed to admit some truth in the idea of scoring by (viscid) icebergs. If + the Geological Society takes so much {time} to judge of truth of notions, + as you were telling me in regard to Ramsay's Permian glaciers (502/4. "On + the Occurrence of angular, sub-angular, polished, and striated Fragments + and Boulders in the Permian Breccia of Shropshire, Worcestershire, etc.; + and on the Probable Existence of Glaciers and Icebergs in the Permian + Epoch." By A.C. Ramsay, "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XI., page 185, + 1855.), it will be as injurious to progress as the French Institut. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 503. TO J.D. HOOKER. Cliff Cottage, Bournemouth, {September} 21st + {1862}. + </p> + <p> + I am especially obliged to you for sending me Haast's communications. + (503/1. "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXI., pages 130, 133, 1865; + Volume XXIII., page 342, 1867.) They are very interesting and grand about + glacial and drift or marine glacial. I see he alludes to the whole + southern hemisphere. I wonder whether he has read the "Origin." + Considering your facts on the Alpine plants of New Zealand and remarks, I + am particularly glad to hear of the geological evidence of glacial action. + I presume he is sure to collect and send over the mountain rat of which he + speaks. I long to know what it is. A frog and rat together would, to my + mind, prove former connection of New Zealand to some continent; for I can + hardly suppose that the Polynesians introduced the rat as game, though so + esteemed in the Friendly Islands. Ramsay sent me his paper (503/2. "On the + Glacial Origin of certain Lakes in Switzerland, etc." "Quart. Journ. Geol. + Soc." Volume XVIII., page 185, 1862.) and asked my opinion on it. I agree + with you and think highly of it. I cannot doubt that it is to a large + extent true; my only doubt is, that in a much disturbed country, I should + have thought that some depressions, and consequently lakes, would almost + certainly have been left. I suggested a careful consideration of + mountainous tropical countries such as Brazil, peninsula of India, etc.; + if lakes are there, {they are} very rare. I should fully subscribe to + Ramsay's views. + </p> + <p> + What presumption, as it seems to me, in the Council of Geological Society + that it hesitated to publish the paper. + </p> + <p> + We return home on the 30th. I have made up {my} mind, if I can keep up my + courage, to start on the Saturday for Cambridge, and stay the last few + days of the {British} Association there. I do so hope that you may be + there then. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 504. TO J.D. HOOKER. November 3rd {1864}. + </p> + <p> + When I wrote to you I had not read Ramsay. (504/1. "On the Erosion of + Valleys and Lakes: a Reply to Sir Roderick Murchison's Anniversary Address + to the Geographical Society." "Phil. Mag." Volume XXVIII., page 293, 1864) + How capitally it is written! It seems that there is nothing for style like + a man's dander being put up. I think I agree largely with you about + denudation—but the rocky-lake-basin theory is the part which + interests me at present. It seems impossible to know how much to attribute + to ice, running water, and sea. I did not suppose that Ramsay would deny + that mountains had been thrown up irregularly, and that the depressions + would become valleys. The grandest valleys I ever saw were at Tahiti, and + here I do not believe ice has done anything; anyhow there were no + erratics. I said in my S. American Geology (504/2. "Finally, the + conclusion at which I have arrived with respect to the relative powers of + rain, and sea-water on the land is, that the latter is by far the most + efficient agent, and that its chief tendency is to widen the valleys, + whilst torrents and rivers tend to deepen them and to remove the wreck of + the sea's destroying action" ("Geol. Observations," pages 66, 67).) that + rivers deepen and the sea widens valleys, and I am inclined largely to + stick to this, adding ice to water. I am sorry to hear that Tyndall has + grown dogmatic. H. Wedgwood was saying the other day that T.'s writings + and speaking gave him the idea of intense conceit. I hope it is not so, + for he is a grand man of science. + </p> + <p> + ...I have had a prospectus and letter from Andrew Murray (504/3. See + Volume II., Letters 379, 384, etc.) asking me for suggestions. I think + this almost shows he is not fit for the subject, as he gives me no idea + what his book will be, excepting that the printed paper shows that all + animals and all plants of all groups are to be treated of. Do you know + anything of his knowledge? + </p> + <p> + In about a fortnight I shall have finished, except concluding chapter, my + book on "Variation under Domestication"; (504/4. Published in 1868.) but + then I have got to go over the whole again, and this will take me very + many months. I am able to work about two hours daily. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 505. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down {July, 1865}. + </p> + <p> + I was glad to read your article on Glaciers, etc., in Yorkshire. You seem + to have been struck with what most deeply impressed me at Glen Roy (wrong + as I was on the whole subject)—viz. the marvellous manner in which + every detail of surface of land had been preserved for an enormous period. + This makes me a little sceptical whether Ramsay, Jukes, etc., are not a + little overdoing sub-aerial denudation. + </p> + <p> + In the same "Reader" (505/1. Sir J.D. Hooker wrote to Darwin, July 13th, + 1865, from High Force Inn, Middleton, Teesdale: "I am studying the + moraines all day long with as much enthusiasm as I am capable of after + lying in bed till nine, eating heavy breakfasts, and looking forward to + dinner as the summum bonum of existence." The result of his work, under + the title "Moraines of the Tees Valley," appeared in the "Reader" (July + 15th, 1865, page 71), of which Huxley was one of the managers or + committee-men, and Norman Lockyer was scientific editor ("Life and Letters + of T.H. Huxley," I., page 211). Hooker describes the moraines and other + evidence of glacial action in the upper part of the Tees valley, and + speaks of the effect of glaciers in determining the present physical + features of the country.) there was a striking article on English and + Foreign Men of Science (505/2. "British and Foreign Science," "The + Reader," loc. cit., page 61. The writer of the article asserts the + inferiority of English scientific workers.), and I think unjust to England + except in pure Physiology; in biology Owen and R. Brown ought to save us, + and in Geology we are most rich. + </p> + <p> + It is curious how we are reading the same books. We intend to read Lecky + and certainly to re-read Buckle—which latter I admired greatly + before. I am heartily glad you like Lubbock's book so much. It made me + grieve his taking to politics, and though I grieve that he has lost his + election, yet I suppose, now that he is once bitten, he will never give up + politics, and science is done for. Many men can make fair M.P.'s; and how + few can work in science like him! + </p> + <p> + I have been reading a pamphlet by Verlot on "Variation of Flowers," which + seems to me very good; but I doubt whether it would be worth your reading. + it was published originally in the "Journal d'Hort.," and so perhaps you + have seen it. It is a very good plan this republishing separately for sake + of foreigners buying, and I wish I had tried to get permission of Linn. + Soc. for my Climbing paper, but it is now too late. + </p> + <p> + Do not forget that you have my paper on hybridism, by Max Wichura. (505/3. + Wichura, M.E., "L'Hybridisation dans le regne vegetal etudiee sur les + Saules," "Arch. Sci. Phys. Nat." XXIII., page 129, 1865.) + </p> + <p> + I hope you are returned to your work, refreshed like a giant by your huge + breakfasts. How unlucky you are about contagious complaints with your + children! + </p> + <p> + I keep very weak, and had much sickness yesterday, but am stronger this + morning. + </p> + <p> + Can you remember how we ever first met? (505/4. See "Life and Letters," + II., page 19.) It was in Park Street; but what brought us together? I have + been re-reading a few old letters of yours, and my heart is very warm + towards you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 506. TO C. LYELL. Down, March 8th {1866}. + </p> + <p> + (506/1. In a letter from Sir Joseph Hooker to Mr. Darwin on February 21st, + 1866, the following passage occurs: "I wish I could explain to you my + crude notions as to the Glacial period and your position towards it. I + suppose I hold this doctrine: that there was a Glacial period, but that it + was not one of universal cold, because I think that the existing + distribution of glaciers is sufficiently demonstrative of the proposition + that by comparatively slight redispositions of sea and land, and perhaps + axis of globe, you may account for all the leading palaeontological + phenomena." This letter was sent by Mr. Darwin to Sir Charles Lyell, and + the latter, writing on March 1st, 1866, expresses his belief that "the + whole globe must at times have been superficially cooler. Still," he adds, + "during extreme excentricity the sun would make great efforts to + compensate in perihelion for the chill of a long winter in aphelion in one + hemisphere, and a cool summer in the other. I think you will turn out to + be right in regard to meridional lines of mountain-chains by which the + migrations across the equator took place while there was contemporaneous + tropical heat of certain lowlands, where plants requiring heat and + moisture were saved from extinction by the heat of the earth's surface, + which was stored up in perihelion, being prevented from radiating off + freely into space by a blanket of aqueous vapour caused by the melting of + ice and snow. But though I am inclined to profit by Croll's maximum + excentricity for the glacial period, I consider it quite subordinate to + geographical causes or the relative position of land and sea and the + abnormal excess of land in polar regions." In another letter (March 5th, + 1866) Lyell writes: "In the beginning of Hooker's letter to you he speaks + hypothetically of a change in the earth's axis as having possibly + co-operated with redistribution of land and sea in causing the cold of the + Glacial period. Now, when we consider how extremely modern, zoologically + and botanically, the Glacial period is proved to be, I am shocked at any + one introducing, with what I may call so much levity, so organic a change + as a deviation in the axis of the planet...' (see Lyell's "Principles," + 1875, Chapter XIII.; also a letter to Sir Joseph Hooker printed in the + "Life of Sir Charles Lyell," Volume II., page 410.)) + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your interesting letter. From the serene elevation of my + old age I look down with amazement at your youth, vigour, and indomitable + energy. With respect to Hooker and the axis of the earth, I suspect he is + too much overworked to consider now any subject properly. His mind is so + acute and critical that I always expect to hear a torrent of objections to + anything proposed; but he is so candid that he often comes round in a year + or two. I have never thought on the causes of the Glacial period, for I + feel that the subject is beyond me; but though I hope you will own that I + have generally been a good and docile pupil to you, yet I must confess + that I cannot believe in change of land and water, being more than a + subsidiary agent. (506/2. In Chapter XI. of the "Origin," Edition V., + 1869, page 451, Darwin discusses Croll's theory, and is clearly inclined + to trust in Croll's conclusion that "whenever the northern hemisphere + passes through a cold period the temperature of the southern hemisphere is + actually raised..." In Edition VI., page 336, he expresses his faith even + more strongly. Mr. Darwin apparently sent his MS. on the climate question, + which was no doubt prepared for a new edition of the "Origin," to Sir + Charles. The arrival of the MS. is acknowledged in a letter from Lyell on + March 10th, 1866 ("Life of Sir Charles Lyell," II., page 408), in which + the writer says that he is "more than ever convinced that geographical + changes...are the principal and not the subsidiary causes.") I have come + to this conclusion from reflecting on the geographical distribution of the + inhabitants of the sea on the opposite sides of our continents and of the + inhabitants of the continents themselves. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 507. TO C. LYELL. Down, September 8th {1866}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for the pamphlet, which was returned this morning. I was very + glad to read it, though chiefly as a psychological curiosity. I quite + follow you in thinking Agassiz glacier-mad. (507/1. Agassiz's pamphlet, + ("Geology of the Amazons") is referred to by Lyell in a letter written to + Bunbury in September, 1866 ("Life of Sir Charles Lyell," II., page 409): + "Agassiz has written an interesting paper on the 'Geology of the Amazons,' + but, I regret to say, he has gone wild about glaciers, and has actually + announced his opinion that the whole of the great valley, down to its + mouth in latitude 0 deg., was filled by ice..." Agassiz published a paper, + "Observations Geologiques faites dans la Vallee de l'Amazone," in the + "Comptes Rendus," Volume LXIV., page 1269, 1867. See also a letter + addressed to M. Marcou, published in the "Bull. Soc. Geol. France," Volume + XXIV., page 109, 1866.) His evidence reduces itself to supposed moraines, + which would be difficult to trace in a forest-clad country; and with + respect to boulders, these are not said to be angular, and their source + cannot be known in a country so imperfectly explored. When I was at Rio, I + was continually astonished at the depth (sometimes 100 feet) to which the + granitic rocks were decomposed in situ, and this soft matter would easily + give rise to great alluvial accumulations; I well remember finding it + difficult to draw a line between the alluvial matter and the softened rock + in situ. What a splendid imagination Agassiz has, and how energetic he is! + What capital work he would have done, if he had sucked in your + "Principles" with his mother's milk. It is wonderful that he should have + written such wild nonsense about the valley of the Amazon; yet not so + wonderful when one remembers that he once maintained before the British + Association that the chalk was all deposited at once. + </p> + <p> + With respect to the insects of Chili, I knew only from Bates that the + species of Carabus showed no special affinity to northern species; from + the great difference of climate and vegetation I should not have expected + that many insects would have shown such affinity. It is more remarkable + that the birds on the broad and lofty Cordillera of Tropical S. America + show no affinity with European species. The little power of diffusion with + birds has often struck me as a most singular fact—even more singular + than the great power of diffusion with plants. Remember that we hope to + see you in the autumn. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—There is a capital paper in the September number of "Annals and + Magazine," translated from Pictet and Humbert, on Fossil Fish of Lebanon, + but you will, I daresay, have received the original. (507/2. "Recent + Researches on the Fossil Fishes of Mount Lebanon," "Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist." + Volume XVIII., page 237, 1866.) It is capital in relation to modification + of species; I would not wish for more confirmatory facts, though there is + no direct allusion to the modification of species. Hooker, by the way, + gave an admirable lecture at Nottingham; I read it in MS., or rather, + heard it. I am glad it will be published, for it was capital. (507/3. Sir + Joseph Hooker delivered a lecture at the Nottingham meeting of the British + Association (1866) on "Insular Floras," published in the "Gardeners' + Chronicle," 1867. See Letters 366-377, etc.) + </p> + <p> + Sunday morning. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I have just received a letter from Asa Gray with the following + passage, so that, according to this, I am the chief cause of Agassiz's + absurd views:— + </p> + <p> + "Agassiz is back (I have not seen him), and he went at once down to the + National Academy of Sciences, from which I sedulously keep away, and, I + hear, proved to them that the Glacial period covered the whole continent + of America with unbroken ice, and closed with a significant gesture and + the remark: 'So here is the end of the Darwin theory.' How do you like + that? + </p> + <p> + "I said last winter that Agassiz was bent on covering the whole continent + with ice, and that the motive of the discovery he was sure to make was to + make sure that there should be no coming down of any terrestrial life from + Tertiary or post-Tertiary period to ours. You cannot deny that he has done + his work effectually in a truly imperial way." + </p> + <p> + LETTER 508. TO C. LYELL. Down, July 14th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Agassiz's book has been read aloud to me, and I am wonderfully + perplexed what to think about his precise statements of the existence of + glaciers in the Ceara Mountains, and about the drift formation near Rio. + (508/1. "Sur la Geologie de l'Amazone," by MM. Agassiz and Continho, + "Bull. Soc. Geol. France," Volume XXV., page 685, 1868. See also "A + Journey in Brazil," by Professor and Mrs. Louis Agassiz, Boston, 1868.) + There is a sad want of details. Thus he never mentions whether any of the + blocks are angular, nor whether the embedded rounded boulders, which + cannot all be disintegrated, are scored. Yet how can so experienced an + observer as A. be deceived about lateral and terminal moraines? If there + really were glaciers in the Ceara Mountains, it seems to me one of the + most important facts in the history of the inorganic and organic world + ever observed. Whether true or not, it will be widely believed, and until + finally decided will greatly interfere with future progress on many + points. I have made these remarks in the hope that you will coincide. If + so, do you think it would be possible to persuade some known man, such as + Ramsay, or, what would be far better, some two men, to go out for a summer + trip, which would be in many respects delightful, for the sole object of + observing these phenomena in the Ceara Mountains, and if possible also + near Rio? I would gladly put my name down for 50 pounds in aid of the + expense of travelling. Do turn this over in your mind. I am so very sorry + not to have seen you this summer, but for the last three weeks I have been + good for nothing, and have had to stop almost all work. I hope we may meet + in the autumn. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 509. TO JAMES CROLL. Down, November 24th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + I have read with the greatest interest the last paper which you have + kindly sent me. (509/1. Croll discussed the power of icebergs as grinding + and striating agents in the latter part of a paper ("On Geological Time, + and the probable Dates of the Glacial and the Upper Miocene Period") + published in the "Philosophical Magazine," Volume XXXV., page 363, 1868, + Volume XXXVI., pages 141, 362, 1868. His conclusion was that the advocates + of the Iceberg theory had formed "too extravagant notions regarding the + potency of floating ice as a striating agent.") If we are to admit that + all the scored rocks throughout the more level parts of the United States + result from true glacier action, it is a most wonderful conclusion, and + you certainly make out a very strong case; so I suppose I must give up one + more cherished belief. But my object in writing is to trespass on your + kindness and ask a question, which I daresay I could answer for myself by + reading more carefully, as I hope hereafter to do, all your papers; but I + shall feel much more confidence in a brief reply from you. Am I right in + supposing that you believe that the glacial periods have always occurred + alternately in the northern and southern hemispheres, so that the erratic + deposits which I have described in the southern parts of America, and the + glacial work in New Zealand, could not have been simultaneous with our + Glacial period? From the glacial deposits occurring all round the northern + hemisphere, and from such deposits appearing in S. America to be as recent + as in the north, and lastly, from there being some evidence of the former + lower descent of glaciers all along the Cordilleras, I inferred that the + whole world was at this period cooler. It did not appear to me justifiable + without distinct evidence to suppose that the N. and S. glacial deposits + belonged to distinct epochs, though it would have been an immense relief + to my mind if I could have assumed that this had been the case. Secondly, + do you believe that during the Glacial period in one hemisphere the + opposite hemisphere actually becomes warmer, or does it merely retain the + same temperature as before? I do not ask these questions out of mere + curiosity; but I have to prepare a new edition of my "Origin of Species," + and am anxious to say a few words on this subject on your authority. I + hope that you will excuse my troubling you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 510. TO J. CROLL. Down, January 31st, 1869. + </p> + <p> + To-morrow I will return registered your book, which I have kept so long. I + am most sincerely obliged for its loan, and especially for the MS., + without which I should have been afraid of making mistakes. If you require + it, the MS. shall be returned. Your results have been of more use to me + than, I think, any other set of papers which I can remember. Sir C. Lyell, + who is staying here, is very unwilling to admit the greater warmth of the + S. hemisphere during the Glacial period in the N.; but, as I have told + him, this conclusion which you have arrived at from physical + considerations, explains so well whole classes of facts in distribution, + that I must joyfully accept it; indeed, I go so far as to think that your + conclusion is strengthened by the facts in distribution. Your discussion + on the flowing of the great ice-cap southward is most interesting. I + suppose that you have read Mr. Moseley's recent discussion on the force of + gravity being quite insufficient to account for the downward movement of + glaciers (510/1. Canon Henry Moseley, "On the Mechanical Impossibility of + the Descent of Glaciers by their Weight only." "Proc. R. Soc." Volume + XVII., page 202, 1869; "Phil. Mag." Volume XXXVII., page 229, 1869.): if + he is right, do you not think that the unknown force may make more + intelligible the extension of the great northern ice-cap? Notwithstanding + your excellent remarks on the work which can be effected within the + million years (510/2. In his paper "On Geological Time, and the probable + Date of the Glacial and the Upper Miocene Period" ("Phil. Mag." Volume + XXXV., page 363, 1868), Croll endeavours to convey to the mind some idea + of what a million years really is: "Take a narrow strip of paper, an inch + broad or more, and 83 feet 4 inches in length, and stretch it along the + wall of a large hall, or round the walls of an apartment somewhat over 20 + feet square. Recall to memory the days of your boyhood, so as to get some + adequate conception of what a period of a hundred years is. Then mark off + from one of the ends of the strip one-tenth of an inch. The one-tenth of + an inch will then represent a hundred years, and the entire length of the + strip a million of years" (loc. cit., page 375).), I am greatly troubled + at the short duration of the world according to Sir W. Thomson (510/3. In + a paper communicated to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Lord Kelvin (then + Sir William Thomson) stated his belief that the age of our planet must be + more than twenty millions of years, but not more than four hundred + millions of years ("Trans. R. Soc. Edinb." Volume XXIII., page 157, 1861, + "On the Secular Cooling of the Earth."). This subject has been recently + dealt with by Sir Archibald Geikie in his address as President of the + Geological Section of the British Association, 1899 ("Brit. Assoc. + Report," Dover Meeting, 1899, page 718).), for I require for my + theoretical views a very long period BEFORE the Cambrian formation. If it + would not trouble you, I should like to hear what you think of Lyell's + remark on the magnetic force which comes from the sun to the earth: might + not this penetrate the crust of the earth and then be converted into heat? + This would give a somewhat longer time during which the crust might have + been solid; and this is the argument on which Sir W. Thomson seems chiefly + to rest. You seem to argue chiefly on the expenditure of energy of all + kinds by the sun, and in this respect Lyell's remark would have no + bearing. + </p> + <p> + My new edition of the "Origin" (510/4. Fifth edition, May, 1869.) will be + published, I suppose, in about two months, and for the chance of your + liking to have a copy I will send one. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I wish that you would turn your astronomical knowledge to the + consideration whether the form of the globe does not become periodically + slightly changed, so as to account for the many repeated ups and downs of + the surface in all parts of the world. I have always thought that some + cosmical cause would some day be discovered. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 511. TO C. LYELL. Down, July 12th {1872}. + </p> + <p> + I have been glad to see the enclosed and return it. It seems to me very + cool in Agassiz to doubt the recent upheaval of Patagonia, without having + visited any part; and he entirely misrepresents me in saying that I infer + upheaval from the form of the land, as I trusted entirely to shells + embedded and on the surface. It is simply monstrous to suppose that the + terraces stretching on a dead level for leagues along the coast, and miles + in breadth, and covered with beds of stratified gravel, 10 to 30 feet in + thickness, are due to subaerial denudation. + </p> + <p> + As for the pond of salt-water twice or thrice the density of sea-water, + and nearly dry, containing sea-shells in the same relative proportions as + on the adjoining coast, it almost passes my belief. Could there have been + a lively midshipman on board, who in the morning stocked the pool from the + adjoining coast? + </p> + <p> + As for glaciation, I will not venture to express any opinion, for when in + S. America I knew nothing about glaciers, and perhaps attributed much to + icebergs which ought to be attributed to glaciers. On the other hand, + Agassiz seems to me mad about glaciers, and apparently never thinks of + drift ice. + </p> + <p> + I did see one clear case of former great extension of a glacier in T. del + Fuego. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 512. TO J. GEIKIE. + </p> + <p> + (512/1. The following letter was in reply to a request from Prof. James + Geikie for permission to publish Mr. Darwin's views, communicated in a + previous letter (November 1876), on the vertical position of stones in + gravelly drift near Southampton. Prof. Geikie wrote (July 15th, 1880): + "You may remember that you attributed the peculiar position of those + stones to differential movements in the drift itself arising from the slow + melting of beds of frozen snow interstratified into the gravels...I have + found this explanation of great service even in Scotland, and from what I + have seen of the drift-gravels in various parts of southern England and + northern France, I am inclined to think that it has a wide application.") + </p> + <p> + Down, July 19th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + Your letter has pleased me very much, and I truly feel it an honour that + anything which I wrote on the drift, etc., should have been of the least + use or interest to you. Pray make any use of my letter (512/2. Professor + James Geikie quotes the letter in "Prehistoric Europe," London, 1881 (page + 141). Practically the whole of it is given in the "Life and Letters," + III., page 213.): I forget whether it was written carefully or clearly, so + pray touch up any passages that you may think fit to quote. + </p> + <p> + All that I have seen since near Southampton and elsewhere has strengthened + my notion. Here I live on a chalk platform gently sloping down from the + edge of the escarptment to the south (512/3. Id est, sloping down from the + escarpment which is to the south.) (which is about 800 feet in height) to + beneath the Tertiary beds to the north. The (512/4. From here to the end + of the paragraph is quoted by Prof. Geikie, loc. cit., page 142.) beds of + the large and broad valleys (and only of these) are covered with an + immense mass of closely packed broken and angular flints; in which mass + the skull of the musk-ox {musk-sheep} and woolly elephant have been found. + This great accumulation of unworn flints must therefore have been made + when the climate was cold, and I believe it can be accounted for by the + larger valleys having been filled up to a great depth during a large part + of the year with drifted frozen snow, over which rubbish from the upper + parts of the platforms was washed by the summer rains, sometimes along one + line and sometimes along another, or in channels cut through the snow all + along the main course of the broad valleys. + </p> + <p> + I suppose that I formerly mentioned to you the frequent upright position + of elongated flints in the red clayey residue over the chalk, which + residue gradually subsides into the troughs and pipes corroded in the + solid chalk. This letter is very untidy, but I am tired. + </p> + <p> + P.S. Several palaeolithic celts have recently been found in the great + angular gravel-bed near Southampton in several places. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 513. TO D. MACKINTOSH. Down, November 13th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + Your discovery is a very interesting one, and I congratulate you on it. + (513/1. "On the Precise Mode of Accumulation and Derivation of the + Moel-Tryfan Shelly Deposits; on the Discovery of Similar High-level + Deposits along the Eastern Slopes of the Welsh Mountains; and on the + Existence of Drift-Zones, showing probable Variations in the Rate of + Submergence." By D. Mackintosh, "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXXVII., + pages 351-69, 1881. {Read April 27th, 1881.}) I failed to find shells on + Moel Tryfan, but was interested by finding ("Philosoph. Mag." 3rd series, + Volume XXI., page 184) shattered rocks (513/2. In reviewing the work by + previous writers on the Moel-Tryfan deposits, Mackintosh refers to + Darwin's "very suggestive description of the Moel-Tryfan deposits...Under + the drift he saw that the surface of the slate, TO A DEPTH OF SEVERAL + FEET, HAD BEEN SHATTERED AND CONTORTED IN A VERY PECULIAR MANNER." The + contortion of the slate, which Mackintosh regarded as "the most + interesting of the Moel-Tryfan phenomena," had not previously been + regarded as "sufficiently striking to arrest attention" by any geologist + except Darwin. The Pleistocene gravel and sand containing marine shells on + Moel-Tryfan, about five miles south-east of Caernarvon, have been the + subject of considerable controversy. By some geologists the drift deposits + have been regarded as evidence of a great submergence in post-Pliocene + times, while others have explained their occurrence at a height of 1300 + feet by assuming that the gravel and sand had been thrust uphill by an + advancing ice-sheet. (See H.B. Woodward, "Geology of England and Wales," + Edition II., 1887, pages 491, 492.) Darwin attributed the shattering and + contorting of the slates below the drift to "icebergs grating over the + surface.") and far-distant rounded boulders, which I attributed to the + violent impact of icebergs or coast-ice. I can offer no opinion on whether + the more recent changes of level in England were or were not accompanied + by earthquakes. It does not seem to me a correct expression (which you use + probably from haste in your note) to speak of elevations or depressions as + caused by earthquakes: I suppose that every one admits that an earthquake + is merely the vibration from the fractured crust when it yields to an + upward or downward force. I must confess that of late years I have often + begun to suspect (especially when I think of the step-like plains of + Patagonia, the heights of which were measured by me) that many of the + changes of level in the land are due to changes of level in the sea. + (513/3. This view is an agreement with the theory recently put forward by + Suess in his "Antlitz der Erde" (Prag and Leipzig, 1885). Suess believes + that "the local invasions and transgressions of the continental areas by + the sea" are due to "secular movements of the hydrosphere itself." (See J. + Geikie, F.R.S., Presidential Address before Section E at the Edinburgh + Meeting of the British Association, "Annual Report," page 794.) I suppose + that there can be no doubt that when there was much ice piled up in the + Arctic regions the sea would be attracted to them, and the land on the + temperate regions would thus appear to have risen. There would also be + some lowering of the sea by evaporation and the fixing of the water as ice + near the Pole. + </p> + <p> + I shall read your paper with much interest when published. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 514. TO J. GEIKIE. Down, December 13th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + You must allow me the pleasure of thanking you for the great interest with + which I have read your "Prehistoric Europe." (514/1. "Prehistoric Europe: + a Geological Sketch," London, 1881.) Nothing has struck me more than the + accumulated evidence of interglacial periods, and assuredly the + establishment of such periods is of paramount importance for understanding + all the later changes of the earth's surface. Reading your book has + brought vividly before my mind the state of knowledge, or rather + ignorance, half a century ago, when all superficial matter was classed as + diluvium, and not considered worthy of the attention of a geologist. If + you can spare the time (though I ask out of mere idle curiosity) I should + like to hear what you think of Mr. Mackintosh's paper, illustrated by a + little map with lines showing the courses or sources of the erratic + boulders over the midland counties of England. (514/2. "Results of a + Systematic Survey, in 1878, of the Directions and Limits of Dispersion, + Mode of Occurrence, and Relation to Drift-Deposits of the Erratic Blocks + or Boulders of the West of England and East of Wales, including a Revision + of Many Years' Previous Observations," D. Mackintosh, "Quart. Journ. Geol. + Soc." Volume XXXV., page 425, 1879.) It is a little suspicious their + ending rather abruptly near Wolverhampton, yet I must think that they were + transported by floating ice. Fifty years ago I knew Shropshire well, and + cannot remember anything like till, but abundance of gravel and sand beds, + with recent marine shells. A great boulder (514/3. Mackintosh alludes + (loc. cit., page 442) to felstone boulders around Ashley Heath, the + highest ground between the Pennine and Welsh Hills north of the Wrekin; + also to a boulder on the summit of the eminence (774 feet above + sea-level), "probably the same as that noticed many years ago by Mr. + Darwin." In a later paper, "On the Correlation of the Drift-Deposits of + the North-West of England with those of the Midland and Eastern Counties" + ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXXVI., page 178, 1880) Mackintosh + mentions a letter received from Darwin, "who was the first to elucidate + the boulder-transporting agency of floating ice," containing an account of + the great Ashley Heath boulder, which he was the first to discover and + expose,...so as to find that the block rested on fragments of New Red + Sandstone, one of which was split into two and deeply scored...The facts + mentioned in the letter from Mr. Darwin would seem to show that the + boulder must have fallen through water from floating ice with a force + sufficient to split the underlying lump of sandstone, but not sufficient + to crush it.") which I had undermined on the summit of Ashley Heath, 720 + (?) feet above the sea, rested on clean blocks of the underlying red + sandstone. I was also greatly interested by your long discussion on the + Loss (514/4. For an account of the Loss of German geologists—"a + fine-grained, more or less homogeneous, consistent, non-plastic loam, + consisting of an intimate admixture of clay and carbonate of lime," see J. + Geikie, loc. cit., page 144 et seq.); but I do not feel satisfied that all + has been made out about it. I saw much brick-earth near Southampton in + some manner connected with the angular gravel, but had not strength enough + to make out relations. It might be worth your while to bear in mind the + possibility of fine sediment washed over and interstratified with thick + beds of frozen snow, and therefore ultimately dropped irrespective of the + present contour of the country. + </p> + <p> + I remember as a boy that it was said that the floods of the Severn were + more muddy when the floods were caused by melting snow than from the + heaviest rains; but why this should be I cannot see. + </p> + <p> + Another subject has interested me much—viz. the sliding and + travelling of angular debris. Ever since seeing the "streams of stones" at + the Falkland Islands (514/5. "Geological Observations on South America" + (1846), page 19 et seq.), I have felt uneasy in my mind on this subject. I + wish Mr. Kerr's notion could be fully elucidated about frozen snow. Some + one ought to observe the movements of the fields of snow which supply the + glaciers in Switzerland. + </p> + <p> + Yours is a grand book, and I thank you heartily for the instruction and + pleasure which it has given me. + </p> + <p> + For heaven's sake forgive the untidiness of this whole note. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 515. TO JOHN LUBBOCK {Lord Avebury}. Down, November 6th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + If I had written your Address (515/1. Address delivered by Lord Avebury as + President of the British Association at York in 1881. Dr. Hicks is + mentioned as having classed the pre-Cambrian strata in "four great groups + of immense thickness and implying a great lapse of time" and giving no + evidence of life. Hicks' third formation was named by him the Arvonian + ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXXVII., 1881, Proc., page 55.) (but + this requires a fearful stretch of imagination on my part) I should not + alter what I had said about Hicks. You have the support of the President + {of the} Geological Society (515/2. Robert Etheridge.), and I think that + Hicks is more likely to be right than X. The latter seems to me to belong + to the class of objectors general. If Hicks should be hereafter proved to + be wrong about this third formation, it would signify very little to you. + </p> + <p> + I forget whether you go as far as to support Ramsay about lakes as large + as the Italian ones: if so, I would myself modify the passage a little, + for these great lakes have always made me tremble for Ramsay, yet some of + the American geologists support him about the still larger N. American + lakes. I have always believed in the main in Ramsay's views from the date + of publication, and argued the point with Lyell, and am convinced that it + is a very interesting step in Geology, and that you were quite right to + allude to it. (515/3. "Glacial Origin of Lakes in Switzerland, Black + Forest, etc." ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XVIII., pages 185-204, + 1862). Sir John Lubbock (Lord Avebury) gives a brief statement of Ramsay's + views concerning the origin of lakes (Presidential Address, Brit. Assoc. + 1881, page 22): "Prof. Ramsay divides lakes into three classes: (1) Those + which are due to irregular accumulations of drift, and which are generally + quite shallow; (2) those which are formed by moraines; and (3) those which + occupy true basins scooped by glaciers out of the solid rocks. To the + latter class belong, in his opinion, most of the great Swiss and Italian + lakes...Professor Ramsay's theory seems, therefore, to account for a large + number of interesting facts." Sir Archibald Geikie has given a good + summary of Ramsay's theory in his "Memoir of Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay," + page 361, London, 1895.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 516. TO D. MACKINTOSH. Down, February 28th, 1882. + </p> + <p> + I have read professor Geikie's essay, and it certainly appears to me that + he underrated the importance of floating ice. (516/1. "The Intercrossing + of Erratics in Glacial Deposits," by James Geikie, "Scottish Naturalist," + 1881.) Memory extending back for half a century is worth a little, but I + can remember nothing in Shropshire like till or ground moraine, yet I can + distinctly remember the appearance of many sand and gravel beds—in + some of which I found marine shells. I think it would be well worth your + while to insist (but perhaps you have done so) on the absence of till, if + absent in the Western Counties, where you find many erratic boulders. + </p> + <p> + I was pleased to read the last sentence in Geikie's essay about the value + of your work. (516/2. The concluding paragraph reads as follows: "I cannot + conclude this paper without expressing my admiration for the + long-continued and successful labours of the well-known geologist whose + views I have been controverting. Although I entered my protest against his + iceberg hypothesis, and have freely criticised his theoretical opinions, I + most willingly admit that the results of his unwearied devotion to the + study of those interesting phenomena with which he is so familiar have + laid all his fellow-workers under a debt of gratitude." Mr. Darwin used to + speak with admiration of Mackintosh's work, carried on as it was under + considerable difficulties.) + </p> + <p> + With respect to the main purport of your note, I hardly know what to say. + Though no evidence worth anything has as yet, in my opinion, been advanced + in favour of a living being, being developed from inorganic matter, yet I + cannot avoid believing the possibility of this will be proved some day in + accordance with the law of continuity. I remember the time, above fifty + years ago, when it was said that no substance found in a living plant or + animal could be produced without the aid of vital forces. As far as + external form is concerned, Eozoon shows how difficult it is to + distinguish between organised and inorganised bodies. If it is ever found + that life can originate on this world, the vital phenomena will come under + some general law of nature. Whether the existence of a conscious God can + be proved from the existence of the so-called laws of nature (i.e., fixed + sequence of events) is a perplexing subject, on which I have often + thought, but cannot see my way clearly. If you have not read W. Graham's + "Creed of Science," (516/3. "The Creed of Science: Religious, Moral, and + Social," London, 1881.), it would, I think, interest you, and he supports + the view which you are inclined to uphold. + </p> + <p> + 2.IX.III. THE PARALLEL ROADS OF GLEN ROY, 1841-1880. + </p> + <p> + (517/1. In the bare hilly country of Lochaber, in the Scotch Highlands, + the slopes of the mountains overlooking the vale of Glen Roy are marked by + narrow terraces or parallel roads, which sweep round the shoulders of the + hills with "undeviating horizontality." These roads are described by Sir + Archibald Geikie as having long been "a subject of wonderment and + legendary story among the Highlanders, and for so many years a source of + sore perplexity among men of science." (517/2. "The Scenery of Scotland," + 1887, page 266.) In Glen Roy itself there are three distinct shelves or + terraces, and the mountain sides of the valley of the Spean and other + glens bear traces of these horizontal "roads." + </p> + <p> + The first important papers dealing with the origin of this striking + physical feature were those of MacCulloch (517/3. "Trans. Geol. Soc." + Volume IV., page 314, 1817.) and Sir Thomas Lauder Dick (517/4. "Trans. R. + Soc. Edinb." Volume IX., page 1, 1823.), in which the writers concluded + that the roads were the shore-lines of lakes which once filled the + Lochaber valleys. Towards the end of June 1838 Mr. Darwin devoted "eight + good days" (517/5. "Life and Letters," I., page 290.) to the examination + of the Lochaber district, and in the following year he communicated a + paper to the Royal Society of London, in which he attributed their origin + to the action of the sea, and regarded them as old sea beaches which had + been raised to their present level by a gradual elevation of the Lochaber + district. + </p> + <p> + In 1840 Louis Agassiz and Buckland (517/6. "Edinb. New Phil. Journal," + Volume XXXIII., page 236, 1842.) proposed the glacier-ice theory; they + described the valleys as having been filled with lakes dammed back by + glaciers which formed bars across the valleys of Glen Roy, Glen Spean, and + the other glens in which the hill-sides bear traces of old lake-margins. + Agassiz wrote in 1842: "When I visited the parallel roads of Glen Roy with + Dr. Buckland we were convinced that the glacial theory alone satisfied all + the exigencies of the phenomenon." (517/7. Ibid., page 236.) + </p> + <p> + Mr. David Milne (afterwards Milne-Home) (517/8. "Trans. R. Soc. Edinb." + Volume XVI., page 395, 1847.) in 1847 upheld the view that the ledges + represent the shore-lines of lakes which were imprisoned in the valleys by + dams of detrital material left in the glens during a submergence of 3,000 + feet, at the close of the Glacial period. Chambers, in his "Ancient Sea + Margins" (1848), expressed himself in agreement with Mr. Darwin's marine + theory. The Agassiz-Buckland theory was supported by Mr. Jamieson (517/9. + "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XIX., page 235, 1863.), who brought + forward additional evidence in favour of the glacial barriers. Sir Charles + Lyell at first (517/10. "Elements of Geology," Edition II., 1841.) + accepted the explanation given by Mr. Darwin, but afterwards (517/11. + "Antiquity of Man," 1863, pages 252 et seq.) came to the conclusion that + the terrace-lines represent the beaches of glacial lakes. In a paper + published in 1878 (517/12. "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1879, page 663.), Prof. + Prestwich stated his acceptance of the lake theory of MacCulloch and Sir + T. Lauder Dick and of the glacial theory of Agassiz, but differed from + these authors in respect of the age of the lakes and the manner of + formation of the roads. + </p> + <p> + The view that has now gained general acceptance is that the parallel roads + of Glen Roy represent the shores of a lake "that came into being with the + growth of the glaciers and vanished as these melted away." (517/13. Sir + Archibald Geikie, loc. cit., page 269.) + </p> + <p> + Mr. Darwin became a convert to the glacier theory after the publication of + Mr. Jamieson's paper. He speaks of his own paper as "a great failure"; he + argued in favour of sea action as the cause of the terraces "because no + other explanation was possible under our then state of knowledge." + Convinced of his mistake, Darwin looked upon his error as "a good lesson + never to trust in science to the principle of exclusion." (517/14. "Life + and Letters," I., page 69.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 517. TO C. LYELL. {March 9th, 1841.} + </p> + <p> + I have just received your note. It is the greatest pleasure to me to write + or talk Geology with you... + </p> + <p> + I think I have thought over the whole case without prejudice, and remain + firmly convinced they {the parallel roads} are marine beaches. My + principal reason for doing so is what I have urged in my paper (517/15. + "Observations on the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, and of other parts of + Lochaber in Scotland, with an attempt to prove that they are of Marine + Origin." "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1839, page 39.), the buttress-like + accumulations of stratified shingle on sides of valley, especially those + just below the lowest shelf in Spean Valley. + </p> + <p> + 2nd. I can hardly conceive the extension of the glaciers in front of the + valley of Kilfinnin, where I found a new road—where the sides of + Great Glen are not very lofty. + </p> + <p> + 3rd. The flat watersheds which I describe in places where there are no + roads, as well as those connected with "roads." These remain unexplained. + </p> + <p> + I might continue to add many other such reasons, all of which, however, I + daresay would appear trifling to any one who had not visited the district. + With respect to equable elevation, it cannot be a valid objection to any + one who thinks of Scandinavia or the Pampas. With respect to the glacier + theory, the greatest objection appears to me the following, though + possibly not a sound one. The water has beyond doubt remained very long at + the levels of each shelf—this is unequivocally shown by the depth of + the notch or beach formed in many places in the hard mica-slate, and the + large accumulations or buttresses of well-rounded pebbles at certain spots + on the level of old beaches. (The time must have been immense, if formed + by lakes without tides.) During the existence of the lakes their drainage + must have been at the head of the valleys, and has given the flat + appearance of the watersheds. All this is very clear for four of the + shelves (viz., upper and lower in Glen Roy, the 800-foot one in Glen + Spean, and the one in Kilfinnin), and explains the coincidence of "roads" + with the watersheds more simply than my view, and as simply as the common + lake theory. But how was the Glen Roy lake drained when the water stood at + level of the middle "road"? It must (for there is no other exit whatever) + have been drained over the glacier. Now this shelf is full as narrow in a + vertical line and as deeply worn horizontally into the mountain side and + with a large accumulation of shingle (I can give cases) as the other + shelves. We must, therefore, on the glacier theory, suppose that the + surface of the ice remained at exactly the same level, not being worn down + by the running water, or the glacier moved by its own movement during the + very long period absolutely necessary for a quiet lake to form such a + beach as this shelf presents in its whole course. I do not know whether I + have explained myself clearly. I should like to know what you think of + this difficulty. I shall much like to talk over the Jura case with you. I + am tired, so goodbye. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 518. TO L. HORNER. Down {1846}. + </p> + <p> + (518/1. It was agreed at the British Association meeting held at + Southampton in 1846 "That application be made to Her Majesty's Government + to direct that during the progress of the Ordnance Trigonometrical Surveys + in the North of Scotland, the so-called Parallel Roads of Glen Roy and the + adjoining country be accurately surveyed, with the view of determining + whether they are truly parallel and horizontal, the intervening distances, + and their elevations above the present sea-level" ("British Association + Report," 1846, page xix). The survey was undertaken by the Government + Ordnance Survey Office under Col. Sir Henry James, who published the + results in 1874 ("Notes on the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy"); the map on + which the details are given is sheet 63 (one-inch scale).) + </p> + <p> + In following your suggestion in drawing out something about Glen Roy for + the Geological Committee, I have been completely puzzled how to do it. I + have written down what I should say if I had to meet the head of the + Survey and wished to persuade him to undertake the task; but as I have + written it, it is too long, ill expressed, seems as if it came from nobody + and was going to nobody, and therefore I send it to you in despair, and + beg you to turn the subject in your mind. I feel a conviction if it goes + through the Geological part of Ordnance Survey it will be swamped, and as + it is a case for mere accurate measurements it might, I think without + offence, go to the head of the real Surveyors. + </p> + <p> + If Agassiz or Buckland are on the Committee they will sneer at the whole + thing and declare the beaches are those of a glacier-lake, than which I am + sure I could convince you that there never was a more futile theory. + </p> + <p> + I look forward to Southampton (518/2. The British Association meeting + (1846).) with much interest, and hope to hear to-morrow that the lodgings + are secured to us. You cannot think how thoroughly I enjoyed our + geological talks, and the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Horner and yourself + here. (518/3. This letter is published in the privately printed "Memoir of + Leonard Horner," II., page 103.) + </p> + <p> + {Here follows Darwin's Memorandum.} + </p> + <p> + The Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, in Scotland, have been the object of + repeated examination, but they have never hitherto been levelled with + sufficient accuracy. Sir T. Lauder Dick (518/4. "On the Parallel Roads of + Lochaber" (with map and plates), by Sir Thomas Lauder Dick, "Trans. R. + Soc. Edinb." Volume IX., page 1, 1823.) procured the assistance of an + engineer for this purpose, but owing to the want of a true ground-plan it + was impossible to ascertain their exact curvature, which, as far as could + be estimated, appeared equal to that of the surface of the sea. + Considering how very rarely the sea has left narrow and well-defined marks + of its action at any considerable height on the land, and more especially + considering the remarkable observations by M. Bravais (518/5. "On the + Lines of Ancient Level of the Sea in Finmark," by M. A. Bravais, + translated from "Voyages de la Commission Scientifique du Nord, etc."; + "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume I., page 534, 1845.) on the ancient + sea-beaches of Scandinavia, showing the they are not strictly parallel to + each other, and that the movement has been greater nearer the mountains + than on the coast, it appears highly desirable that the roads of Glen Roy + should be examined with the utmost care during the execution of the + Ordnance Survey of Scotland. The best instruments and the most accurate + measurements being necessary for this end almost precludes the hope of its + being ever undertaken by private individuals; but by the means at the + disposal of the Ordnance, measurements would be easily made even more + accurate than those of M. Bravais. It would be desirable to take two lines + of the greatest possible length in the district, and at nearly right + angles to each other, and to level from the beach at one extremity to that + at the other, so that it might be ascertained whether the curvature does + exactly correspond with that of the globe, or, if not, what is the + direction of the line of greatest elevation. Much attention would be + requisite in fixing on either the upper or lower edge of the ancient + beaches as the standard of measurement, and in rendering this line + conspicuous. The heights of the three roads, one above the other and above + the level of the sea, ought to be accurately ascertained. Mr. Darwin + observed one short beach-line north of Glen Roy, and he has indicated, on + the authority of Sir David Brewster, others in the valley of the Spey. If + these could be accurately connected, by careful measurements of their + absolute heights or by levelling, with those of Glen Roy, it would make a + most valuable addition to our knowledge on this subject. Although the + observations here specified would probably be laborious, yet, considering + how rarely such evidence is afforded in any quarter of the world, it + cannot be doubted that one of the most important problems in Geology—namely, + the exact manner in which the crust of the earth rises in mass—would + be much elucidated, and a great service done to geological science. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 519. R. CHAMBERS TO D. MILNE-HOME. St. Andrews, September 7th, + 1847. + </p> + <p> + I have had a letter to-day from Mr. Charles Darwin, beseeching me to + obtain for him a copy of your paper on Glen Roy. (519/1. No doubt Mr. + Milne's paper "On the Parallel Roads of Lochaber," "Trans. R. Soc. Edinb." + Volume XVI., page 395, 1849. {Read March 1st and April 5th, 1847.}) I am + sure you will have pleasure in sending him one; his address is "Down, + Farnborough, Kent." I have again read over your paper carefully, and feel + assured that the careful collection and statement of facts which are found + in it must redound to your credit with all candid persons. The suspicions, + however, which I obtained some time ago as to land-straits and heights of + country being connected with sea-margins and their ordinary memorials + still possesses me, and I am looking forward to some means of further + testing the Glen Roy mystery. If my suspicion turn out true, I shall at + once be regretful on your account, and shall feel it as a great check and + admonition to myself not to be too confident about anything in science + till it has been proved over and over again. The ground hereabouts is now + getting clear of the crops; perhaps when I am in town a few days hence we + may be able to make some appointment for an examination of the beaches of + the district, my list of which has been greatly enlarged during the last + two months. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 520. TO R. CHAMBERS. September 11th, 1847. + </p> + <p> + I hope you will read the first part of my paper before you go {to Glen + Roy}, and attend to the manner in which the lines end in Glen Collarig. I + wish Mr. Milne had read it more carefully. He misunderstands me in several + respects, but {I} suppose it is my own fault, for my paper is most + tediously written. Mr. Milne fights me very pleasantly, and I plead guilty + to his rebuke about "demonstration." (520/1. See Letter 521, note.) I do + not know what you think; but Mr. Milne will think me as obstinate as a pig + when I say that I think any barriers of detritus at the mouth of Glen Roy, + Collarig and Glaster more utterly impossible than words can express. I + abide by all that I have written on that head. Conceive such a mass of + detritus having been removed, without great projections being left on each + side, in the very close proximity to every little delta preserved on the + lines of the shelves, even on the shelf 4, which now crosses with uniform + breadth the spot where the barrier stood, with the shelves dying gradually + out, etc. To my mind it is monstrous. Oddly enough, Mr. Milne's + description of the mouth of Loch Treig (I do not believe that valley has + been well examined in its upper end) leaves hardly a doubt that a glacier + descended from it, and, if the roads were formed by a lake of any kind, I + believe it must have been an ice-lake. I have given in detail to Lyell my + several reasons for not thinking ice-lakes probable (520/2. Mr. Darwin + gives some arguments against the glacier theory in the letter (517) to Sir + Charles Lyell; but the letter alluded to is no doubt the one written to + Lyell on "Wednesday, 8th" (Letter 522), in which the reasons are fully + stated.); but to my mind they are incomparably more probable than detritus + of rock-barriers. Have you ever attended to glacier action? After having + seen N. Wales, I can no more doubt the former existence of gigantic + glaciers than I can the sun in the heaven. I could distinguish in N. Wales + to a certain extent icebergs from glacier action (Lyell has shown that + icebergs at the present day score rocks), and I suspect that in Lochaber + the two actions are united, and that the scored rock on the watersheds, + when tideways, were rubbed and bumped by half-stranded icebergs. You will, + no doubt, attend to Glen Glaster. Mr. Milne, I think, does not mention + whether shelf 4 enters it, which I should like to know, and especially he + does not state whether rocks worn on their upper faces are found on the + whole 212 {feet} vertical course of this Glen down to near L. Loggan, or + whether only in the upper part; nor does he state whether these rocks are + scored, or polished, or moutonnees, or whether there are any "perched" + boulders there or elsewhere. I suspect it would be difficult to + distinguish between a river-bed and tidal channel. Mr. Milne's description + of the Pass of Mukkul, expanding to a width of several hundred yards 21 + feet deep in the shoalest part, and with a worn islet in the middle, + sounds to me much more like a tidal channel than a river-bed. There must + have been, on the latter view, plenty of fresh water in those days. With + respect to the coincidence of the shelves with the now watersheds, Mr. + Milne only gives half of my explanation. Please read page 65 of my paper. + (520/3. "Observations on the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, and of other + Parts of Lochaber in Scotland, with an Attempt to Prove that they are of + Marine Origin." "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1839, page 39. {Read February 7th, + 1839.}) I allude only to the head of Glen Roy and Kilfinnin as silted up. + I did not know Mukkul Pass; and Glen Roy was so much covered up that I did + not search it well, as I was not able to walk very well. It has been an + old conjectural belief of mine that a rising surface becomes stationary, + not suddenly, but by the movement becoming very slow. Now, this would + greatly aid the tidal currents cutting down the passes between the + mountains just before, and to the level of, the stationary periods. The + currents in the fiords in T. del Fuego in a narrow crooked part are often + most violent; in other parts they seem to silt up. + </p> + <p> + Shall you do any levelling? I believe all the levelling has been {done} in + Glen Roy, nearly parallel to the Great Glen of Scotland. For inequalities + of elevation, the valley of the Spean, at right angles to the apparent + axes of elevation, would be the one to examine. If you go to the head of + Glen Roy, attend to the apparent shelf above the highest one in Glen Roy, + lying on the south side of Loch Spey, and therefore beyond the watershed + of Glen Roy. It would be a crucial case. I was too unwell on that day to + examine it carefully, and I had no levelling instruments. Do these + fragments coincide in level with Glen Gluoy shelf? + </p> + <p> + MacCulloch talks of one in Glen Turret above the shelf. I could not see + it. These would be important discoveries. But I will write no more, and + pray your forgiveness for this long, ill-written outpouring. I am very + glad you keep to your subject of the terraces. I have lately observed that + you have one great authority (C. Prevost), {not} that authority signifies + a {farthing?} on your side respecting your heretical and damnable doctrine + of the ocean falling. You see I am orthodox to the burning pitch. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 521. TO D. MILNE-HOME. Down, {September} 20th, {1847}. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged by your note. I returned from London on Saturday, and I + found then your memoir (521/1. "On the Parallel Roads of Lochaber, with + Remarks on the Change of Relative Levels of Sea and Land in Scotland, and + on the Detrital Deposits in that Country," "Trans. R. Soc. Edinb." Volume + XVI., page 395, 1849. {Read March 1st and April 5th, 1847.}), which I had + not then received, owing to the porter having been out when I last sent to + the Geological Society. I have read your paper with the greatest interest, + and have been much struck with the novelty and importance of many of your + facts. I beg to thank you for the courteous manner in which you combat me, + and I plead quite guilty to your rebuke about demonstration. (521/2. Mr. + Milne quotes a passage from Mr. Darwin's paper ("Phil. Trans. R. Soc." + 1839, page 56), in which the latter speaks of the marine origin of the + parallel roads of Lochaber as appearing to him as having been + demonstrated. Mr. Milne adds: "I regret that Mr. Darwin should have + expressed himself in these very decided and confident terms, especially as + his survey was incomplete; for I venture to think that it can be + satisfactorily established that the parallel roads of Lochaber were formed + by fresh-water lakes" (Milne, loc. cit., page 400).) You have + misunderstood my paper on a few points, but I do not doubt that is owing + to its being badly and tediously written. You will, I fear, think me very + obstinate when I say that I am not in the least convinced about the + barriers (521/3. Mr. Milne believed that the lower parts of the valleys + were filled with detritus, which constituted barriers and thus dammed up + the waters into lakes.): they remain to me as improbable as ever. But the + oddest result of your paper on me (and I assure you, as far as I know + myself, it is not perversity) is that I am very much staggered in favour + of the ice-lake theory of Agassiz and Buckland (521/4. Agassiz and + Buckland believed that the lakes which formed the "roads" were confined by + glaciers or moraines. See "The Glacial Theory and its Recent Progress," by + Louis Agassiz, "Edinb. New Phil. Journ." Volume XXXIII., page 217, 1842 + (with map).): until I read your important discovery of the outlet in Glen + Glaster I never thought this theory at all tenable. (521/5. Mr. Milne + discovered that the middle shelf of Glen Roy, which Mr. Darwin stated was + "not on a level with any watershed" (Darwin, loc. cit., page 43), exactly + coincided with a watershed at the head of Glen Glaster (Milne, loc. cit., + page 398).) Now it appears to me that a very good case can be made in its + favour. I am not, however, as yet a believer in the ice-lake theory, but I + tremble for the result. I have had a good deal of talk with Mr. Lyell on + the subject, and from his advice I am going to send a letter to the + "Scotsman," in which I give briefly my present impression (though there is + not space to argue with you on such points as I think I could argue), and + indicate what points strike me as requiring further investigation with + respect, chiefly, to the ice-lake theory, so that you will not care about + it... + </p> + <p> + P.S.—Some facts mentioned in my "Geology of S. America," page 24 + (521/6. The creeks which penetrate the western shores of Tierra del Fuego + are described as "almost invariably much shallower close to the open sea + at their mouths than inland...This shoalness of the sea-channels near + their entrances probably results from the quantity of sediment formed by + the wear and tear of the outer rocks exposed to the full force of the open + sea. I have no doubt that many lakes—for instance, in Scotland—which + are very deep within, and are separated from the sea apparently only by a + tract of detritus, were originally sea-channels, with banks of this nature + near their mouths, which have since been upheaved" ("Geol. Obs. S. + America," page 24, footnote.), with regard to the shoaling of the deep + fiords of T. del Fuego near their mouths, and which I have remarked would + tend, with a little elevation, to convert such fiords into lakes with a + great mound-like barrier of detritus at their mouths, might, possibly, + have been of use to you with regard to the lakes of Glen Roy. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 522. TO C. LYELL. Down, Wednesday, 8th. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your paper. (522/1. "On the Ancient Glaciers of + Forfarshire." "Proc. Geol. Soc." Volume III., page 337, 1840.) I do admire + your zeal on a subject on which you are not immediately at work. I will + give my opinion as briefly as I can, and I have endeavoured my best to be + honest. Poor Mrs. Lyell will have, I foresee, a long letter to read aloud, + but I will try to write better than usual. Imprimis, it is provoking that + Mr. Milne (522/2. "On the Parallel Roads of Lochaber, etc." "Trans. R. + Soc. Edinb." Volume XVI., page 395, 1849. {Read March 1st and April 5th, + 1847.}) has read my paper (522/3. "Observations on the Parallel Roads of + Glen Roy, etc." "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1839, page 39. {Read February 7th, + 1839.}.) with little attention, for he makes me say several things which I + do not believe—as, that the water sunk suddenly! (page 10), that the + Valley of Glen Roy, page 13, and Spean was filled up with detritus to + level of the lower shelf, against which there is, I conceive, good + evidence, etc., but I suppose it is the consequence of my paper being most + tediously written. He gives me a just snub for talking of demonstration, + and he fights me in a very pleasant manner. Now for business. I utterly + disbelieve in the barriers (522/4. See note, Letter 521.) for his lakes, + and think he has left that point exactly where it was in the time of + MacCulloch (522/5. "On the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy." "Geol. Trans." + Volume IV., page 314, 1817 (with several maps and sections).) and Dick. + (522/6. "On the Parallel Roads of Lochaber." "Trans. R. Soc. Edinb." + Volume IX., page 1, 1823.) Indeed, in showing that there is a passage at + Glen Glaster at the level of the intermediate shelf, he makes the + difficulty to my mind greater. (522/7. See Letter 521, note.) When I think + of the gradual manner in which the two upper terraces die out at Glen + Collarig and at the mouth of Glen Roy, the smooth rounded form of the + hills there, and the lower shelf retaining its usual width where the + immense barrier stood, I can deliberately repeat "that more convincing + proofs of the non-existence of the imaginary Loch Roy could scarcely have + been invented with full play given to the imagination," etc.: but I do not + adhere to this remark with such strength when applied to the glacier-lake + theory. Oddly, I was never at all staggered by this theory until now, + having read Mr. Milne's argument against it. I now can hardly doubt that a + great glacier did emerge from Loch Treig, and this by the ice itself (not + moraine) might have blocked up the three outlets from Glen Roy. I do not, + however, yet believe in the glacier theory, for reasons which I will + presently give. + </p> + <p> + There are three chief hostile considerations in Mr. Milne's paper. First, + the Glen {shelf?}, not coinciding in height with the upper one {outlet?}, + from observations giving 12 feet, 15 feet, 29 feet, 23 feet: if the latter + are correct the terrace must be quite independent, and the case is + hostile; but Mr. Milne shows that there is one in Glen Roy 14 feet below + the upper one, and a second one again (which I observed) beneath this, and + then we come to the proper second shelf. Hence there is no great + improbability in an independent shelf having been found in Glen Gluoy. + </p> + <p> + This leads me to Mr. Milne's second class of facts (obvious to every one), + namely the non-extension of the three shelves beyond Glen Roy; but I abide + by what I have written on that point, and repeat that if in Glen Roy, + where circumstances have been so favourable for the preservation or + formation of the terraces, a terrace could be formed quite plain for + three-quarters of a mile with hardly a trace elsewhere, we cannot argue, + from the non-existence of shelves, that water did not stand at the same + levels in other valleys. Feeling absolutely convinced that there was no + barrier of detritus at the mouth of Glen Roy, and pretty well convinced + that there was none of ice, the manner in which the terraces die out when + entering Glen Spean, which must have been a tideway, shows on what small + circumstances the formation of these shelves depended. With respect to the + non-existence of shelves in other parts of Scotland, Mr. Milne shows that + many others do exist, and their heights above the sea have not yet been + carefully measured, nor have even those of Glen Roy, which I suspect are + all 100 feet too high. Moreover, according to Bravais (522/8. "On the + Lines of Ancient Level of the Sea in Finmark." By A. Bravais, Member of + the Scientific Commission of the North. "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume + I., page 534, 1845 (a translation).), we must not feel sure that either + the absolute height or the intermediate heights between the terraces would + be at all the same at distant points. In levelling the terraces in + Lochaber, all, I believe, have been taken in Glen Roy, nearly N. and S. + There should be levels taken at right angles to this line and to the Great + Glen of Scotland or chief line of elevation. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, the nature of the outlets from the supposed lakes. This appears + to me the best and newest part of the paper. If Sir James Clark would like + to attend to any particular points, direct his attention to this: + especially to follow Glen Glaster from Glen Roy to L. Laggan. Mr. Milne + describes this as an old and great river-course with a fall of 212 feet. + He states that the rocks are smooth on upper face and rough on lower, but + he does not mention whether this character prevails throughout the whole + 212 vertical feet—a most important consideration; nor does he state + whether these rocks are polished or scratched, as might have happened even + to a considerable depth beneath the water (Mem. great icebergs in narrow + fiords of T. del Fuego (522/9. In the "Voyage of the 'Beagle'" a + description is given of the falling of great masses of ice from the icy + cliffs of the glaciers with a crash that "reverberates like the broadside + of a man-of-war, through the lonely channels" which intersect the + coast-line of Tierra del Fuego. Loc. cit., page 246.)) by the action of + icebergs, for that icebergs transported boulders on to terraces, I have no + doubt. Mr. Milne's description of the outlets of his lake sound to me more + like tidal channels, nor does he give any arguments how such are to be + distinguished from old river-courses. I cannot believe in the body of + fresh water which must, on the lake theory, have flowed out of them. At + the Pass of Mukkul he states that the outlet is 70 feet wide and the rocky + bottom 21 feet below the level of the shelf, and that the gorge expands to + the eastwards into a broad channel of several hundred yards in width, + divided in the middle by what has formerly been a rocky islet, against + which the waters of this large river had chafed in issuing from the pass. + We know the size of the river at the present day which would flow out + through this pass, and it seems to me (and in the other given cases) to be + as inadequate; the whole seems to me far easier explained by a tideway + than by a formerly more humid climate. + </p> + <p> + With respect to the very remarkable coincidence between the shelves and + the outlets (rendered more remarkable by Mr. Milne's discovery of the + outlet to the intermediate shelf at Glen Glaster (522/10. See Letter 521, + note.)), Mr. Milne gives only half of my explanation; he alludes to (and + disputes) the smoothing and silting-up action, which I still believe in. I + state: If we consider what must take place during the gradual rise of a + group of islands, we shall have the currents endeavouring to cut down and + deepen some shallow parts in the channels as they are successively brought + near the surface, but tending from the opposition of tides to choke up + others with littoral deposits. During a long interval of rest, from the + length of time allowed to the above processes, the tendency would often + prove effective, both in forming, by accumulation of matter, isthmuses, + and in keeping open channels. Hence such isthmuses and channels just kept + open would oftener be formed at the level which the waters held at the + interval of rest, than at any other (page 65). I look at the Pass of + Mukkul (21 feet deep, Milne) as a channel just kept open, and the head of + Glen Roy (where there is a great bay silted up) and of Kilfinnin (at both + which places there are level-topped mounds of detritus above the level of + the terraces) as instances of channels filled up at the stationary levels. + I have long thought it a probable conjecture that when a rising surface + becomes stationary it becomes so, not at once, but by the movements first + becoming very slow; this would greatly favour the cutting down many gaps + in the mountains to the level of the stationary periods. + </p> + <p> + GLACIER THEORY. + </p> + <p> + If a glacialist admitted that the sea, before the formation of the + terraces, covered the country (which would account for land-straits above + level of terraces), and that the land gradually emerged, and if he + supposed his lakes were banked by ice alone, he would make out, in my + opinion, the best case against the marine origin of the terraces. From the + scattered boulders and till, you and I must look at it as certain that the + sea did cover the whole country, and I abide quite by my arguments from + the buttresses, etc., that water of some kind receded slowly from the + valleys of Lochaber (I presume Mr. Milne admits this). Now, I do not + believe in the ice-lake theory, from the following weak but accumulating + reasons: because, 1st, the receding water must have been that of a lake in + Glen Spean, and of the sea in the other valleys of Scotland, where I saw + similar buttresses at many levels; 2nd, because the outlets of the + supposed lakes as already stated seem, from Mr. Milne's statements, too + much worn and too large; 3rd, when the lake stood at the three-quarters of + a mile shelf the water from it must have flowed over ice itself for a very + long time, and kept at the same exact level: certainly this shelf required + a long time for its formation; 4th, I cannot believe a glacier would have + blocked up the short, very wide valley of Kilfinnin, the Great Glen of + Scotland also being very low there; 5th, the country at some places where + Mr. Milne has described terraces is not mountainous, and the number of + ice-lakes appears to me very improbable; 6th, I do not believe any lake + could scoop the rocks so much as they are at the entrance to Loch Treig or + cut them off at the head of Upper Glen Roy; 7th, the very gradual dying + away of the terraces at the mouth of Glen Roy does not look like a barrier + of any kind; 8th, I should have expected great terminal moraines across + the mouth of Glen Roy, Glen Collarig, and Glaster, at least at the bottom + of the valleys. Such, I feel pretty sure, do not exist. + </p> + <p> + I fear I must have wearied you with the length of this letter, which I + have not had time to arrange properly. I could argue at great length + against Mr. Milne's theory of barriers of detritus, though I could help + him in one way—viz., by the soundings which occur at the entrances + of the deepest fiords in T. del Fuego. I do not think he gives the + smallest satisfaction with respect to the successive and comparatively + sudden breakage of his many lakes. + </p> + <p> + Well, I enjoyed my trip to Glen Roy very much, but it was time thrown + away. I heartily wish you would go there; it should be some one who knows + glacier and iceberg action, and sea action well. I wish the Queen would + command you. I had intended being in London to-morrow, but one of my + principal plagues will, I believe, stop me; if I do I will assuredly call + on you. I have not yet read Mr. Milne on Elevation (522/11. "On a + Remarkable Oscillation of the Sea, observed at Various Places on the + Coasts of Great Britain in the First Week of July, 1843." "Trans. R. Soc. + Edinb." Volume XV., page 609, 1844.), so will keep his paper for a day or + two. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—As you cannot want this letter, I wish you would return it to + me, as it will serve as a memorandum for me. Possibly I shall write to Mr. + Chambers, though I do not know whether he will care about what I think on + the subject. This letter is too long and ill-written for Sir J. Clark. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 523. TO LADY LYELL. {October 4th, 1847.} + </p> + <p> + I enclose a letter from Chambers, which has pleased me very much (which + please return), but I cannot feel quite so sure as he does. If the + Lochaber and Tweed roads really turn out exactly on a level, the sea + theory is proved. What a magnificent proof of equality of elevation, which + does not surprise me much; but I fear I see cause of doubt, for as far as + I remember there are numerous terraces, near Galashiels, with small + intervals of height, so that the coincidence of height might be cooked. + Chambers does not seem aware of one very striking coincidence, viz., that + I made by careful measurement my Kilfinnin terrace 1202 feet above sea, + and now Glen Gluoy is 1203 feet, according to the recent more careful + measurements. Even Agassiz (523/1. "On the Glacial Theory," by Louis + Agassiz, "Edinb. New Phil. Journ." Volume XXXIII., page 217, 1842. The + parallel terraces are dealt with by Agassiz, pages 236 et seq.) would be + puzzled to block up Glen Gluoy and Kilfinnin by the same glacier, and + then, moreover, the lake would have two outlets. With respect to the + middle terrace of Glen Roy—seen by Chambers in the Spean (figured by + Agassiz, and seen by myself but not noticed, as I thought it might have + been a sheep track)—it might yet have been formed on the ice-lake + theory by two independent glaciers going across the Spean, but it is very + improbable that two such immense ones should not have been united into + one. Chambers, unfortunately, does not seem to have visited the head of + the Spey, and I have written to propose joining funds and sending some + young surveyor there. If my letter is published in the "Scotsman," how + Buckland (523/2. Professor Buckland may be described as joint author, with + Agassiz, of the Glacier theory.), as I have foreseen, will crow over me: + he will tell me he always knew that I was wrong, but now I shall have + rather ridiculously to say, "but I am all right again." + </p> + <p> + I have been a good deal interested in Miller (523/3. Hugh Miller's "First + Impressions of England and its People," London, 1847.), but I find it not + quick reading, and Emma has hardly begun it yet. I rather wish the scenic + descriptions were shorter, and that there was a little less geologic + eloquence. + </p> + <p> + Lyell's picture now hangs over my chimneypiece, and uncommonly glad I am + to have it, and thank you for it. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 524. TO C. LYELL. Down, September 6th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + I think the enclosed is worth your reading. I am smashed to atoms about + Glen Roy. My paper was one long gigantic blunder from beginning to end. + Eheu! Eheu! (524/1. See "Life and Letters," I., pages 68, 69, also pages + 290, 291.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 525. TO C. LYELL. Down, September 22nd {1861}. + </p> + <p> + I have read Mr. Jamieson's last letter, like the former ones, with very + great interest. (525/1. Mr. Jamieson visited Glen Roy in August 1861 and + in July 1862. His paper "On the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, and their + Place in the History of the Glacial Period," was published in the + "Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society" in 1863, Volume XIX., page + 235. His latest contribution to this subject was published in the + "Quarterly Journal," Volume XLVIII., page 5, 1892.) What a problem you + have in hand! It beats manufacturing new species all to bits. It would be + a great personal consolation to me if Mr. J. can admit the sloping Spean + terrace to be marine, and would remove one of my greatest difficulties—viz. + the vast contrast of Welsh and Lochaber valleys. But then, as far as I + dare trust my observations, the sloping terraces ran far up the Roy + valley, so as to reach not far below the lower shelf. If the sloping + fringes are marine and the shelves lacustrine, all I can say is that + nature has laid a shameful trap to catch an unwary wretch. I suppose that + I have underrated the power of lakes in producing pebbles; this, I think, + ought to be well looked to. I was much struck in Wales on carefully + comparing the glacial scratches under a lake (formed by a moraine and + which must have existed since the Glacial epoch) and above water, and I + could perceive NO difference. I believe I saw many such beds of good + pebbles on level of lower shelf, which at the time I could not believe + could have been found on shores of lake. The land-straits and little + cliffs above them, to which I referred, were quite above the highest + shelf; they may be of much more ancient date than the shelves. Some + terrace-like fringes at head of the Spey strike me as very suspicious. Mr. + J. refers to absence of pebbles at considerable heights: he must remember + that every storm, every deer, every hare which runs tends to roll pebbles + down hill, and not one ever goes up again. I may mention that I + particularly alluded to this on S. Ventanao (525/2. "Geolog. Obs. on South + America," page 79. "On the flanks of the mountains, at a height of 300 or + 400 feet above the plain, there were a few small patches of conglomerate + and breccia, firmly cemented by ferruginous matter to the abrupt and + battered face of the quartz—traces being thus exhibited of ancient + sea-action.") in N. Patagonia, a great isolated rugged quartz-mountain + 3,000 feet high, and I could find not one pebble except on one very small + spot, where a ferruginous spring had firmly cemented a few to the face of + mountain. If the Lochaber lakes had been formed by an ice-period posterior + to the (marine?) sloping terraces in the Spean, would not Mr. J. have + noticed gigantic moraines across the valley opposite the opening of Lake + Treig? I go so far as not to like making the elevation of the land in + Wales and Scotland considerably different with respect to the ice-period, + and still more do I dislike it with respect to E. and W. Scotland. But I + may be prejudiced by having been so long accustomed to the plains of + Patagonia. But the equality of level (barring denudation) of even the + Secondary formations in Britain, after so many ups and downs, always + impresses my mind, that, except when the crust-cracks and mountains are + formed, movements of elevation and subsidence are generally very equable. + </p> + <p> + But it is folly my scribbling thus. You have a grand problem, and heaven + help you and Mr. Jamieson through it. It is out of my line nowadays, and + above and beyond me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 526. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, September 28th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + It is, I believe, true that Glen Roy shelves (I remember your Indian + letter) were formed by glacial lakes. I persuaded Mr. Jamieson, an + excellent observer, to go and observe them; and this is his result. There + are some great difficulties to be explained, but I presume this will + ultimately be proved the truth... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 527. TO C. LYELL. Down, October 1st {1861}. + </p> + <p> + Thank you for the most interesting correspondence. What a wonderful case + that of Bedford. (527/1. No doubt this refers to the discovery of flint + implements in the Valley of the Ouse, near Bedford, in 1861 (see Lyell's + "Antiquity of Man," pages 163 et seq., 1863.) I thought the problem + sufficiently perplexing before, but now it beats anything I ever heard of. + Far from being able to give any hypothesis for any part, I cannot get the + facts into my mind. What a capital observer and reasoner Mr. Jamieson is. + The only way that I can reconcile my memory of Lochaber with the state of + the Welsh valleys is by imagining a great barrier, formed by a terminal + moraine, at the mouth of the Spean, which the river had to cut slowly + through, as it drained the lowest lake after the Glacial period. This + would, I can suppose, account for the sloping terraces along the Spean. I + further presume that sharp transverse moraines would not be formed under + the waters of the lake, where the glacier came out of L. Treig and abutted + against the opposite side of the valley. A nice mess I made of Glen Roy! I + have no spare copy of my Welsh paper (527/2. "Notes on the Effects + produced by the Ancient Glaciers of Caernarvonshire, and on the Boulders + transported by Floating Ice," "Edinb. New Phil. Journ." Volume XXXIII., + page 352, 1842.); it would do you no good to lend it. I suppose I thought + that there must have been floating ice on Moel Tryfan. I think it cannot + be disputed that the last event in N. Wales was land-glaciers. I could not + decide where the action of land-glaciers ceased and marine glacial action + commenced at the mouths of the valleys. + </p> + <p> + What a wonderful case the Bedford case. Does not the N. American view of + warmer or more equable period, after great Glacial period, become much + more probable in Europe? + </p> + <p> + But I am very poorly to-day, and very stupid, and hate everybody and + everything. One lives only to make blunders. I am going to write a little + book for Murray on Orchids (527/3. "On the Various Contrivances by which + Orchids are Fertilised by Insects," London, 1862.), and to-day I hate them + worse than everything. So farewell, in a sweet frame of mind. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 528. TO C. LYELL. Down, October 14th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + I return Jamieson's capital letter. I have no comments, except to say that + he has removed all my difficulties, and that now and for evermore I give + up and abominate Glen Roy and all its belongings. It certainly is a + splendid case, and wonderful monument of the old Ice-period. You ought to + give a woodcut. How many have blundered over those horrid shelves! + </p> + <p> + That was a capital paper by Jamieson in the last "Geol. Journal." (528/1. + "On the Drift and Rolled Gravel of the North of Scotland," "Quart. Journ. + Geol. Soc." Volume XVI., page 347, 1860.) I was never before fully + convinced of the land glacialisation of Scotland before, though Chambers + tried hard to convince me. + </p> + <p> + I must say I differ rather about Ramsay's paper; perhaps he pushes it too + far. (528/2. "On the Glacial Origin of Certain Lakes, etc." "Quart. Journ. + Geol. Soc." Volume XVIII., page 185. See Letter 503.) It struck me the + more from remembering some years ago marvelling what could be the meaning + of such a multitude of lakes in Friesland and other northern districts. + Ramsay wrote to me, and I suggested that he ought to compare mountainous + tropical regions with northern regions. I could not remember many lakes in + any mountainous tropical country. When Tyndall talks of every valley in + Switzerland being formed by glaciers, he seems to forget there are valleys + in the tropics; and it is monstrous, in my opinion, the accounting for the + Glacial period in the Alps by greater height of mountains, and their + lessened height, if I understand, by glacial erosion. "Ne sutor ultra + crepidam," I think, applies in this case to him. I am hard at work on + "Variation under Domestication." (528/3. Published 1868.) + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I am rather overwhelmed with letters at present, and it has + just occurred to me that perhaps you will forward my note to Mr. Jamieson; + as it will show that I entirely yield. I do believe every word in my Glen + Roy paper is false. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 529. TO C. LYELL. Down, October 20th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the orchids, I have been very glad to see Jamieson's + letter; no doubt, as he says, certainty will soon be reached. + </p> + <p> + With respect to the minor points of Glen Roy, I cannot feel easy with a + mere barrier of ice; there is so much sloping, stratified detritus in the + valleys. I remember that you somewhere have stated that a running stream + soon cuts deeply into a glacier. I have been hunting up all old references + and pamphlets, etc., on shelves in Scotland, and will send them off to Mr. + J., as they possibly may be of use to him if he continues the subject. The + Eildon Hills ought to be specially examined. Amongst MS. I came across a + very old letter from me to you, in which I say: "If a glacialist admitted + that the sea, before the formation of the shelves, covered the country + (which would account for the land-straits above the level of the shelves), + and if he admitted that the land gradually emerged, and if he supposed + that his lakes were banked up by ice alone, he would make out, in my + opinion, the best case against the marine origin of the shelves." (529/1. + See Letter 522.) This seems very much what you and Mr. J. have come to. + </p> + <p> + The whole glacial theory is really a magnificent subject. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 530. TO C. LYELL. Down, April 1st {1862}. + </p> + <p> + I am not quite sure that I understand your difficulty, so I must give what + seems to me the explanation of the glacial lake theory at some little + length. You know that there is a rocky outlet at the level of all the + shelves. Please look at my map. (530/1. The map accompanying Mr. Darwin's + paper in the "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1839.) I suppose whole valley of Glen + Spean filled with ice; then water would escape from an outlet at Loch + Spey, and the highest shelf would be first formed. Secondly, ice began to + retreat, and water will flow for short time over its surface; but as soon + as it retreated from behind the hill marked Craig Dhu, where the outlet on + level of second shelf was discovered by Milne (530/2. See note, Letter + 521.), the water would flow from it and the second shelf would be formed. + This supposes that a vast barrier of ice still remains under Ben Nevis, + along all the lower part of the Spean. Lastly, I suppose the ice + disappeared everywhere along L. Loggan, L. Treig, and Glen Spean, except + close under Ben Nevis, where it still formed a barrier, the water flowing + out at level of lowest shelf by the Pass of Mukkul at head of L. Loggan. + This seems to me to account for everything. It presupposes that the + shelves were formed towards the close of the Glacial period. I come up to + London to read on Thursday a short paper at the Linnean Society. Shall I + call on Friday morning at 9.30 and sit half an hour with you? Pray have no + scruple to send a line to Queen Anne Street to say "No" if it will take + anything out of you. If I do not hear, I will come. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 531. TO J. PRESTWICH. Down, January 3rd, 1880. + </p> + <p> + You are perfectly right. (531/1. Prof. Prestwich's paper on Glen Roy was + published in the "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." for 1879, page 663.) As soon as I + read Mr. Jamieson's article on the parallel roads, I gave up the ghost + with more sighs and groans than on almost any other occasion in my life. + </p> + <p> + 2.IX.IV. CORAL REEFS, FOSSIL AND RECENT, 1841-1881. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 532. TO C. LYELL. Shrewsbury, Tuesday, 6th {July, 1841}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter was forwarded me here. I was the more glad to receive it, as I + never dreamed of your being able to find time to write, now that you must + be so very busy; and I had nothing to tell you about myself, else I should + have written. I am pleased to hear how extensive and successful a trip you + appear to have made. You must have worked hard, and got your Silurian + subject well in your head, to have profited by so short an excursion. How + I should have enjoyed to have followed you about the coral-limestone. I + once was close to Wenlock (532/1. The Wenlock limestone (Silurian) + contains an abundance of corals. "The rock seems indeed to have been + formed in part by massive sheets and bunches of coral" (Geikie, "Text-book + of Geology," 1882, page 678.), something such as you describe, and made a + rough drawing, I remember, of the masses of coral. But the degree in which + the whole mass was regularly stratified, and the quantity of mud, made me + think that the reefs could never have been like those in the Pacific, but + that they most resembled those on the east coast of Africa, which seem + (from charts and descriptions) to confine extensive flats and mangrove + swamps with mud, or like some imperfect ones about the West India Islands, + within the reefs of which there are large swamps. All the reefs I have + myself seen could be associated only with nearly pure calcareous rocks. I + have received a description of a reef lying some way off the coast near + Belize (terra firma), where a thick bed of mud seems to have invaded and + covered a coral reef, leaving but very few islets yet free from it. But I + can give you no precise information without my notes (even if then) on + these heads... + </p> + <p> + Bermuda differs much from any other island I am acquainted with. At first + sight of a chart it resembles an atoll; but it differs from this structure + essentially in the gently shelving bottom of the sea all round to some + distance; in the absence of the defined circular reefs, and, as a + consequence, of the defined central pool or lagoon; and lastly, in the + height of the land. Bermuda seems to be an irregular, circular, flat bank, + encrusted with knolls and reefs of coral, with land formed on one side. + This land seems once to have been more extensive, as on some parts of the + bank farthest removed from the island there are little pinnacles of rock + of the same nature as that of the high larger islands. I cannot pretend to + form any precise notion how the foundation of so anomalous an island has + been produced, but its whole history must be very different from that of + the atolls of the Indian and Pacific oceans—though, as I have said, + at first glance of the charts there is a considerable resemblance. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 533. TO C. LYELL. {1842.} + </p> + <p> + Considering the probability of subsidence in the middle of the great + oceans being very slow; considering in how many spaces, both large ones + and small ones (within areas favourable to the growth of corals), reefs + are absent, which shows that their presence is determined by peculiar + conditions; considering the possible chance of subsidence being more rapid + than the upward growth of the reefs; considering that reefs not very + rarely perish (as I cannot doubt) on part, or round the whole, of some + encircled islands and atolls: considering these things, I admit as very + improbable that the polypifers should continue living on and above the + same reef during a subsidence of very many thousand feet; and therefore + that they should form masses of enormous thickness, say at most above + 5,000 feet. (533/1. "...As we know that some inorganic causes are highly + injurious to the growth of coral, it cannot be expected that during the + round of change to which earth, air, and water are exposed, the + reef-building polypifers should keep alive for perpetuity in any one + place; and still less can this be expected during the progressive + subsidences...to which by our theory these reefs and islands have been + subjected, and are liable" ("The Structure and Distribution of Coral + Reefs," page 107: London, 1842).) This admission, I believe, is in no way + fatal to the theory, though it is so to certain few passages in my book. + </p> + <p> + In the areas where the large groups of atolls stand, and where likewise a + few scattered atolls stand between such groups, I always imagined that + there must have been great tracts of land, and that on such large tracts + there must have been mountains of immense altitudes. But not, it appears + to me, that one is only justified in supposing that groups of islands + stood there. There are (as I believe) many considerable islands and groups + of islands (Galapagos Islands, Great Britain, Falkland Islands, Marianas, + and, I believe, Viti groups), and likewise the majority of single + scattered islands, all of which a subsidence between 4,000 and 5,000 feet + would entirely submerge or would leave only one or two summits above + water, and hence they would produce either groups of nothing but atolls, + or of atolls with one or two encircled islands. I am far from wishing to + say that the islands of the great oceans have not subsided, or may not + continue to subside, any number of feet, but if the average duration (from + all causes of destruction) of reefs on the same spot is limited, then + after this limit has elapsed the reefs would perish, and if the subsidence + continued they would be carried down; and if the group consisted only of + atolls, only open ocean would be left; if it consisted partly or wholly of + encircled islands, these would be left naked and reefless, but should the + area again become favourable for growth of reefs, new barrier-reefs might + be formed round them. As an illustration of this notion of a certain + average duration of reefs on the same spot, compared with the average rate + of subsidence, we may take the case of Tahiti, an island of 7,000 feet + high. Now here the present barrier-reefs would never be continued upwards + into an atoll, although, should the subsidence continue at a period long + after the death of the present reefs, new ones might be formed high up + round its sides and ultimately over it. The case resolves itself into: + what is the ordinary height of groups of islands, of the size of existing + groups of atolls (excepting as many of the highest islands as there now + ordinarily occur encircling barrier-reefs in the existing groups of + atolls)? and likewise what is the height of the single scattered islands + standing between such groups of islands? Subsidence sufficient to bury all + these islands (with the exception of as many of the highest as there are + encircled islands in the present groups of atolls) my theory absolutely + requires, but no more. To say what amount of subsidence would be required + for this end, one ought to know the height of all existing islands, both + single ones and those in groups, on the face of the globe—and, + indeed, of half a dozen worlds like ours. The reefs may be of much greater + {thickness} than that just sufficient on an average to bury groups of + islands; and the probability of the thickness being greater seems to + resolve itself into the average rate of subsidence allowing upward growth, + and average duration of reefs on the same spot. Who will say what this + rate and what this duration is? but till both are known, we cannot, I + think, tell whether we ought to look for upraised coral formations + (putting on one side denudation) above the unknown limit, say between + 3,000 and 5,000 feet, necessary to submerge groups of common islands. How + wretchedly involved do these speculations become. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 534. TO E. VON MOJSISOVICS. Down, January 29th, 1879. + </p> + <p> + I thank you cordially for the continuation of your fine work on the + Tyrolese Dolomites (534/1. "Dolomitriffe Sudtirols und Venetiens": Wien, + 1878.), with its striking engravings and the maps, which are quite + wonderful from the amount of labour which they exhibit, and its extreme + difficulty. I well remember more than forty years ago examining a section + of Silurian limestone containing many corals, and thinking to myself that + it would be for ever impossible to discover whether the ancient corals had + formed atolls or barrier reefs; so you may well believe that your work + will interest me greatly as soon as I can find time to read it. I am much + obliged for your photograph, and from its appearance rejoice to see that + much more good work may be expected from you. + </p> + <p> + I enclose my own photograph, in case you should like to possess a copy. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 535. TO A. AGASSIZ. + </p> + <p> + (535/1. Part of this letter is published in "Life and Letters," III., + pages 183, 184.) + </p> + <p> + Down, May 5th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + It was very good of you to write to me from Tortugas, as I always feel + much interested in hearing what you are about, and in reading your many + discoveries. It is a surprising fact that the peninsula of Florida should + have remained at the same level for the immense period requisite for the + accumulation of so vast a pile of debris. (535/2. Alexander Agassiz + published a paper on "The Tortugas and Florida Reefs" in the "Mem. Amer. + Acad. Arts and Sci." XI., page 107, 1885. See also his "Three Cruises of + the 'Blake,'" Volume I., 1888.) + </p> + <p> + You will have seen Mr. Murray's views on the formation of atolls and + barrier reefs. (535/3. "On the Structure and Origin of Coral Reefs and + Islands," "Proc. R. Soc. Edin." Volume X., page 505, 1880. Prof. Bonney + has given a summary of Sir John Murray's views in Appendix II. of the + third edition of Darwin's "Coral Reefs," 1889.) Before publishing my book, + I thought long over the same view, but only as far as ordinary marine + organisms are concerned, for at that time little was known of the + multitude of minute oceanic organisms. I rejected this view, as from the + few dredgings made in the 'Beagle' in the S. Temperate regions, I + concluded that shells, the smaller corals, etc., etc., decayed and were + dissolved when not protected by the deposition of sediment; and sediment + could not accumulate in the open ocean. Certainly shells, etc., were in + several cases completely rotten, and crumbled into mud between my fingers; + but you will know well whether this is in any degree common. I have + expressly said that a bank at the proper depth would give rise to an + atoll, which could not be distinguished from one formed during subsidence. + I can, however, hardly believe, in the former presence of as many banks + (there having been no subsidence) as there are atolls in the great oceans, + within a reasonable depth, on which minute oceanic organisms could have + accumulated to the thickness of many hundred feet. I think that it has + been shown that the oscillations from great waves extend down to a + considerable depth, and if so the oscillating water would tend to lift up + (according to an old doctrine propounded by Playfair) minute particles + lying at the bottom, and allow them to be slowly drifted away from the + submarine bank by the slightest current. Lastly, I cannot understand Mr. + Murray, who admits that small calcareous organisms are dissolved by the + carbonic acid in the water at great depths, and that coral reefs, etc., + etc., are likewise dissolved near the surface, but that this does not + occur at intermediate depths, where he believes that the minute oceanic + calcareous organisms accumulate until the bank reaches within the + reef-building depth. But I suppose that I must have misunderstood him. + </p> + <p> + Pray forgive me for troubling you at such a length, but it has occurred to + me that you might be disposed to give, after your wide experience, your + judgment. If I am wrong, the sooner I am knocked on the head and + annihilated so much the better. It still seems to me a marvellous thing + that there should not have been much and long-continued subsidence in the + beds of the great oceans. I wish that some doubly rich millionaire would + take it into his head to have borings made in some of the Pacific and + Indian atolls, and bring home cores for slicing from a depth of 500 or 600 + feet. (535/4. In 1891 a Committee of the British Association was formed + for the investigation of an atoll by means of boring. The Royal Society + took up the scheme, and an expedition was sent to Funafuti, with Prof. + Sollas as leader. Another expedition left Sydney in 1897 under the + direction of Prof. Edgeworth David, and a deeper boring was made. The + Reports will be published in the "Philosophical Transactions," and will + contain Prof. David's notes upon the boring and the island generally, Dr. + Hinde's description of the microscopic structure of the cores and other + examinations of them, carried on at the Royal College of Science, South + Kensington. The boring reached a depth of 1114 feet; the cores were found + to consist entirely of reef-forming corals in situ and in fragments, with + foraminifera and calcareous algae; at the bottom there were no traces of + any other kind of rock. It seems, therefore, to us, that unless it can be + proved that reef-building corals began their work at depths of at least + 180 fathoms—far below that hitherto assigned—the result gives + the strongest support to Darwin's theory of subsidence; the test which + Darwin wished to be applied has been fairly tried, and the verdict is + entirely in his favour.) + </p> + <p> + 2.IX.V. CLEAVAGE AND FOLIATION, 1846-1856. LETTER 536. TO D. SHARPE. + </p> + <p> + (536/1. The following eight letters were written at a time when the + subjects of cleavage and foliation were already occupying the minds of + several geologists, including Sharpe, Sorby, Rogers, Haughton, Phillips, + and Tyndall. The paper by Sharpe referred to was published in 1847 + ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume III.), and his ideas were amplified in + two later papers (ibid., Volume V., 1849, and "Phil. Trans." 1852). + Darwin's own views, based on his observations during the "Beagle" + expedition, had appeared in Chapter XIII. of "South America" (1846) and in + the "Manual of Scientific Enquiry" (1849), but are perhaps nowhere so + clearly expressed as in this correspondence. His most important + contribution to the question was in establishing the fact that foliation + is often a part of the same process as cleavage, and is in nowise + necessarily connected with planes of stratification. Herein he was opposed + to Lyell and the other geologists of the day, but time has made good his + position. The postscript to Letter 542 is especially interesting. We are + indebted to Mr. Harker, of St. John's College, for this note.) + </p> + <p> + Down, August 23rd {1846?}. + </p> + <p> + I must just send one line to thank you for your note, and to say how + heartily glad I am that you stick to the cleavage and foliation question. + Nothing will ever convince me that it is not a noble subject of + investigation, which will lead some day to great views. I think it quite + extraordinary how little the subject seems to interest British geologists. + You will, I think live to see the importance of your paper recognised. + (536/2. Probably the paper "On Slaty Cleavage." "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." + Volume III., page 74, 1847.) I had always thought that Studer was one of + the few geologists who had taken a correct and enlarged view on the + subject. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 537. TO D. SHARPE. Down {November 1846}. + </p> + <p> + I have been much interested with your letter, and am delighted that you + have thought my few remarks worth attention. My observations on foliation + are more deserving confidence than those on cleavage; for during my first + year in clay-slate countries, I was quite unaware of there being any + marked difference between cleavage and stratification; I well remember my + astonishment at coming to the conclusion that they were totally different + actions, and my delight at subsequently reading Sedgwick's views (537/1. + "Remarks on the Structure of Large Mineral Masses, and especially on the + Chemical Changes produced in the Aggregation of Stratified Rocks during + different periods after their Deposition." "Trans. Geol. Soc." Volume + III., page 461, 1835. In the section of this paper dealing with cleavage + (page 469) Prof. Sedgwick lays stress on the fact that "the cleavage is in + no instance parallel to the true beds."); hence at that time I was only + just getting out of a mist with respect to cleavage-laminae dipping + inwards on mountain flanks. I have certainly often observed it—so + often that I thought myself justified in propounding it as usual. I might + perhaps have been in some degree prejudiced by Von Buch's remarks, for + which in those days I had a somewhat greater deference than I now have. + The Mount at M. Video (page 146 of my book (537/2. "Geol. Obs. S. + America." page 146. The mount is described as consisting of hornblendic + slate; "the laminae of the slate on the north and south side near the + summit dip inwards.")) is certainly an instance of the cleavage-laminae of + a hornblendic schist dipping inwards on both sides, for I examined this + hill carefully with compass in hand and notebook. I entirely admit, + however, that a conclusion drawn from striking a rough balance in one's + mind is worth nothing compared with the evidence drawn from one continuous + line of section. I read Studer's paper carefully, and drew the conclusion + stated from it; but I may very likely be in an error. I only state that I + have frequently seen cleavage-laminae dipping inwards on mountain sides; + that I cannot give up, but I daresay a general extension of the rule (as + might justly be inferred from the manner of my statement) would be quite + erroneous. Von Buch's statement is in his "Travels in Norway" (537/3. + "Travels through Norway and Lapland during the years 1806-8": London, + 1813.); I have unfortunately lost the reference, and it is a high crime, I + confess, even to refer to an opinion without a precise reference. If you + never read these travels they might be worth skimming, chiefly as an + amusement; and if you like and will send me a line by the general post of + Monday or Tuesday, I will either send it up with Hopkins on Wednesday, or + bring it myself to the Geological Society. I am very glad you are going to + read Hopkins (537/4. "Researches in Physical Geology," by W. Hopkins. + "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1839, page 381; ibid, 1842, page 43, etc.); his + views appear to me eminently worth well comprehending; false views and + language appear to me to be almost universally held by geologists on the + formation of fissures, dikes and mountain chains. If you would have the + patience, I should be glad if you would read in my "Volcanic Islands" from + page 65, or even pages 54 to 72—viz., on the lamination of volcanic + rocks; I may add that I sent the series of specimens there described to + Professor Forbes of Edinburgh, and he thought they bore out my views. + </p> + <p> + There is a short extract from Prof. Rogers (537/5. "On Cleavage of + Slate-strata." "Edinburgh New Phil. Journ." Volume XLI., page 422, 1846.) + in the last "Edinburgh New Phil. Journal," well worth your attention, on + the cleavage of the Appalachian chain, and which seems far more uniform in + the direction of dip than in any case which I have met with; the Rogers + doctrine of the ridge being thrown up by great waves I believe is + monstrous; but the manner in which the ridges have been thrown over (as if + by a lateral force acting on one side on a higher level than on the other) + is very curious, and he now states that the cleavage is parallel to the + axis-planes of these thrown-over ridges. Your case of the limestone beds + to my mind is the greatest difficulty on any mechanical doctrine; though I + did not expect ever to find actual displacement, as seems to be proved by + your shell evidence. I am extremely glad you have taken up this most + interesting subject in such a philosophical spirit; I have no doubt you + will do much in it; Sedgwick let a fine opportunity slip away. I hope you + will get out another section like that in your letter; these are the real + things wanted. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 538. TO D. SHARPE. Down, {January 1847}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for the MS., which I return. I do not quite + understand from your note whether you have struck out all on this point in + your paper: I much hope not; if you have, allow me to urge on you to + append a note, briefly stating the facts, and that you omitted them in + your paper from the observations not being finished. + </p> + <p> + I am strongly tempted to suspect that the cleavage planes will be proved + by you to have slided a little over each other, and to have been planes of + incipient tearing, to use Forbes' expression in ice; it will in that case + be beautifully analogical with my laminated lavas, and these in + composition are intimately connected with the metamorphic schists. + </p> + <p> + The beds without cleavage between those with cleavage do not weigh quite + so heavily on me as on you. You remember, of course, Sedgwick's facts of + limestone, and mine of sandstone, breaking in the line of cleavage, + transversely to the planes of deposition. If you look at cleavage as I do, + as the result of chemical action or crystalline forces, super-induced in + certain places by their mechanical state of tension, then it is not + surprising that some rocks should yield more or less readily to the + crystalline forces. + </p> + <p> + I think I shall write to Prof. Forbes (538/1. Prof. D. Forbes.) of + Edinburgh, with whom I corresponded on my laminated volcanic rocks, to + call his early attention to your paper. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 539. TO D. SHARPE. Down, October 16th {1851}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged to you for telling me the results of your + foliaceous tour, and I am glad you are drawing up an account for the Royal + Society. (539/1. "On the Arrangement of the Foliation and Cleavage of the + Rocks of the North of Scotland." "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1852, page 445, + with Plates XXIII. and XXIV.) I hope you will have a good illustration or + map of the waving line of junction of the slate and schist with uniformly + directed cleavage and foliation. It strikes me as crucial. I remember + longing for an opportunity to observe this point. All that I say is that + when slate and the metamorphic schists occur in the same neighbourhood, + the cleavage and foliation are uniform: of this I have seen many cases, + but I have never observed slate overlying mica-slate. I have, however, + observed many cases of glossy clay-slate included within mica-schist and + gneiss. All your other observations on the order, etc., seem very + interesting. From conversations with Lyell, etc., I recommend you to + describe in a little detail the nature of the metamorphic schists; + especially whether there are quasi-substrata of different varieties of + mica-slate or gneiss, etc.; and whether you traced such quasi beds into + the cleavage slate. I have not the least doubt of such facts occurring, + from what I have seen (and described at M. Video) of portions of fine + chloritic schists being entangled in the midst of a gneiss district. Have + you had any opportunity of tracing a bed of marble? This, I think, from + reasons given at page 166 of my "S. America," would be very interesting. + (539/2. "I have never had an opportunity of tracing, for any distance, + along the line both of strike and dip, the so-called beds in the + metamorphic schists, but I strongly suspect that they would not be found + to extend, with the same character, very far in the line either of their + dip or strike. Hence I am led to believe that most of the so-called beds + are of the nature of complex folia, and have not been separately + deposited. Of course, this view cannot be extended to THICK masses + included in the metamorphic series, which are of totally different + composition from the adjoining schists, and which are far-extended, as is + sometimes the case with quartz and marble; these must generally be of the + nature of true strata" ("Geological Observations," page 166).) A suspicion + has sometimes occurred to me (I remember more especially when tracing the + clay-slate at the Cape of Good Hope turning into true gneiss) that + possibly all the metamorphic schists necessarily once existed as + clay-slate, and that the foliation did not arise or take its direction in + the metamorphic schists, but resulted simply from the pre-existing + cleavage. The so-called beds in the metamorphic schists, so unlike common + cleavage laminae, seems the best, or at least one argument against such a + suspicion. Yet I think it is a point deserving your notice. Have you + thought at all over Rogers' Law, as he reiterates it, of cleavage being + parallel to his axes-planes of elevation? + </p> + <p> + If you know beforehand, will you tell me when your paper is read, for the + chance of my being able to attend? I very seldom leave home, as I find + perfect quietude suits my health best. + </p> + <p> + (PLATE: CHARLES DARWIN, Cir. 1854. Maull & Fox, photo. Walker & + Cockerell, ph. sc.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 540. TO C. LYELL. Down, January 10th, 1855. + </p> + <p> + I received your letter yesterday, but was unable to answer it, as I had to + go out at once on business of importance. I am very glad that you are + reconsidering the subject of foliation; I have just read over what I have + written on the subject, and admire it very much, and abide by it all. + (540/1. "Geological Observations on South America," Chapter VI., 1846.) + You will not readily believe how closely I attended to the subject, and in + how many and wide areas I verified my remarks. I see I have put pretty + strongly the mechanical view of origin; but I might even then, but was + afraid, have put my belief stronger. Unfortunately I have not D. Sharpe's + paper here to look over, but I think his chief points {are} (1) the + foliation forming great symmetrical curves, and (2) the proof from effects + of form of shell (540/2. This refers to the distortion of shells in + cleaved rocks.) of the mechanical action in cleaved rocks. The great + curvature would be, I think, a grand discovery of Sharpe's, but I confess + there is some want of minuteness in the statement of Sharpe which makes me + wish to see his facts confirmed. That the foliation and cleavage are parts + of curves I am quite prepared, from what I have seen, to believe; but the + simplicity and grandeur of Sharpe's curves rather stagger me. I feel + deeply convinced that when (and I and Sharpe have seen several most + striking and obvious examples) great neighbouring or alternating regions + of true metamorphic schists and clay-slate have their foliations and + cleavage parallel, there is no way of escaping the conclusion, that the + layers of pure quartz, feldspar, mica, chlorite, etc., etc., are due not + to original deposition, but to segregation; and this is I consider the + point which I have established. This is very odd, but I suspect that great + metamorphic areas are generally derived from the metamorphosis of + clay-slate, and not from alternating layers of ordinary sedimentary + matter. I think you have exactly put the chief difficulty in its strongest + light—viz. what would be the result of pure or nearly pure layers of + very different mineralogical composition being metamorphosed? I believe + even such might be converted into an ordinary varying mass of metamorphic + schists. I am certain of the correctness of my account of patches of + chlorite schists enclosed in other schist, and of enormous quartzose veins + of segregation being absolutely continuous and contemporaneous with the + folia of quartz, and such, I think, might be the result of the folia + crossing a true stratum of quartz. I think my description of the wonderful + and beautiful laminated volcanic rocks at Ascension would be worth your + looking at. (540/3. "Geological Observations on S. America," pages 166, + 167; also "Geological Observations on the Volcanic Islands," Chapter III. + (Ascension), 1844.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 541. TO C. LYELL. Down, January 14th {1855}. + </p> + <p> + We were yesterday and the day before house-hunting, so I could not answer + your letter. I hope we have succeeded in a house, after infinite trouble, + but am not sure, in York Place, Baker Street. + </p> + <p> + I do not doubt that I either read or heard from Sharpe about the + Grampians; otherwise from my own old suspicion I should not have inserted + the passage in the manual. + </p> + <p> + The laminated rocks at Ascension are described at page 54. (541/1. + "Volcanic Islands," page 54. "Singular laminated beds alternating with and + passing into obsidian.") + </p> + <p> + As far as my experience has gone, I should speak only of clay-slate being + associated with mica-slate, for when near the metamorphic schists I have + found stratification so gone that I should not dare to speak of them as + overlying them. With respect to the difficulty of beds of quartz and + marble, this has for years startled me, and I have longed (since I have + felt its force) to have some opportunity of testing this point, for + without you are sure that the beds of quartz dip, as well as strike, + parallel to the foliation, the case is only just like true strata of + sandstone included in clay-slate and striking parallel to the cleavage of + the clay-slate, but of course with different dip (excepting in those rare + cases when cleavage and stratification are parallel). Having this + difficulty before my eyes, I was much struck with MacCulloch's statement + (page 166 of my "S. America") about marble in the metamorphic series not + forming true strata. + </p> + <p> + (FIGURE 6.) + </p> + <p> + Your expectation of the metamorphic schists sending veins into + neighbouring rocks is quite new to me; but I much doubt whether you have + any right to assume fluidity from almost any amount of molecular change. I + have seen in fine volcanic sandstone clear evidence of all the calcareous + matter travelling at least 4 1/2 feet in distance to concretions on either + hand (page 113 of "S. America") (541/2. "Some of these concretions + (flattened spherical concretions composed of hard calcareous sandstone, + containing a few shells, occurring in a bed of sandstone) were 4 feet in + diameter, and in a horizontal line 9 feet apart, showing that the + calcareous matter must have been drawn to the centres of attraction from a + distance of four feet and a half on both sides" ("Geological Observations + on S. America," page 113).) I have not examined carefully, from not soon + enough seeing all the difficulties; but I believe, from what I have seen, + that the folia in the metamorphic schists (I do not here refer to the + so-called beds) are not of great length, but thin out, and are succeeded + by others; and the notion I have of the molecular movements is shown in + the indistinct sketch herewith sent {Figure 6}. The quartz of the strata + might here move into the position of the folia without much more movement + of molecules than in the formation of concretions. I further suspect in + such cases as this, when there is a great original abundance of quartz, + that great branching contemporaneous veins of segregation (as sometimes + called) of quartz would be formed. I can only thus understand the relation + which exists between the distorted foliation (not appearing due to + injection) and the presence of such great veins. + </p> + <p> + I believe some gneiss, as the gneiss-granite of Humboldt, has been as + fluid as granite, but I do not believe that this is usually the case, from + the frequent alternations of glossy clay and chlorite slates, which we + cannot suppose to have been melted. + </p> + <p> + I am far from wishing to doubt that true sedimentary strata have been + converted into metamorphic schists: all I can say is, that in the three or + four great regions, where I could ascertain the relations of the + metamorphic schists to the neighbouring cleaved rocks, it was impossible + (as it appeared to me) to admit that the foliation was due to aqueous + deposition. Now that you intend agitating the subject, it will soon be + cleared up. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 542. TO C. LYELL. 27, York Place, Baker Street {1855}. + </p> + <p> + I have received your letter from Down, and I have been studying my S. + American book. + </p> + <p> + I ought to have stated {it} more clearly, but undoubtedly in W. Tierra del + Fuego, where clay-slate passes by alternation into a grand district of + mica-schist, and in the Chonos Islands and La Plata, where glossy slates + occur within the metamorphic schists, the foliation is parallel to the + cleavage—i.e. parallel in strike and dip; but here comes, I am sorry + and ashamed to say, a great hiatus in my reasoning. I have assumed that + the cleavage in these neighbouring or intercalated beds was (as in more + distant parts) distinct from stratification. If you choose to say that + here the cleavage was or might be parallel to true bedding, I cannot + gainsay it, but can only appeal to apparent similarity to the great areas + of uniformity of strike and high angle—all certainly unlike, as far + as my experience goes, to true stratification. I have long known how + easily I overlook flaws in my own reasoning, and this is a flagrant case. + I have been amused to find, for I had quite forgotten, how distinctly I + give a suspicion (top of page 155) to the idea, before Sharpe, of cleavage + (not foliation) being due to the laminae forming parts of great curves. + (542/1. "I suspect that the varying and opposite dips (of the + cleavage-planes) may possibly be accounted for by the + cleavage-laminae...being parts of large abrupt curves, with their summits + cut off and worn down" ("Geological Observations on S. America," page + 155). I well remember the fine section at the end of a region where the + cleavage (certainly cleavage) had been most uniform in strike and most + variable in dip. + </p> + <p> + I made with really great care (and in MS. in detail) observations on a + case which I believe is new, and bears on your view of metamorphosis (page + 149, at bottom). (Ibid., page 149.) + </p> + <p> + (FIGURE 7.) + </p> + <p> + In a clay-slate porphyry region, where certain thin sedimentary layers of + tuff had by self-attraction shortened themselves into little curling + pieces, and then again into crystals of feldspar of large size, and which + consequently were all strictly parallel, the series was perfect and + beautiful. Apparently also the rounded grains of quartz had in other parts + aggregated themselves into crystalline nodules of quartz. {Figure 7.} + </p> + <p> + I have not been able to get Sorby yet, but shall not probably have + anything to write on it. I am delighted you have taken up the subject, + even if I am utterly floored. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I have a presentiment it will turn out that when clay-slate has + been metamorphosed the foliation in the resultant schist has been due + generally (if not, as I think, always) to the cleavage, and this to a + certain degree will "save my bacon" (please look at my saving clause, page + 167) (542/2. "As in some cases it appears that where a fissile rock has + been exposed to partial metamorphic action (for instance, from the + irruption of granite) the foliation has supervened on the already existing + cleavage-planes; so, perhaps in some instances, the foliation of a rock + may have been determined by the original planes of deposition or of + oblique current laminae. I have, however, myself never seen such a case, + and I must maintain that in most extensive metamorphic areas the foliation + is the extreme result of that process, of which cleavage is the first + effect" (Ibid., page 167).), but {with} other rocks than that, + stratification has been the ruling agent, the strike, but not the dip, + being in such cases parallel to any adjoining clay-slate. If this be so, + pre-existing planes of division, we must suppose on my view of the cause, + determining the lines of crystallisation and segregation, and not planes + of division produced for the first time during the act of crystallisation, + as in volcanic rocks. If this should ever be proved, I shall not look back + with utter shame at my work. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 543. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, September 8th {1856}. + </p> + <p> + I got your letter of the 1st this morning, and a real good man you have + been to write. Of all the things I ever heard, Mrs. Hooker's pedestrian + feats beat them. My brother is quite right in his comparison of "as strong + as a woman," as a type of strength. Your letter, after what you have seen + in the Himalayas, etc., gives me a wonderful idea of the beauty of the + Alps. How I wish I was one-half or one-quarter as strong as Mrs. Hooker: + but that is a vain hope. You must have had some very interesting work with + glaciers, etc. When will the glacier structure and motion ever be settled! + When reading Tyndall's paper it seemed to me that movement in the + particles must come into play in his own doctrine of pressure; for he + expressly states that if there be pressure on all sides, there is no + lamination. I suppose I cannot have understood him, for I should have + inferred from this that there must have been movement parallel to planes + of pressure. (543/1. Prof. Tyndall had published papers "On Glaciers," and + "On some Physical Properties of Ice" ("Proc. R. Inst." 1854-58) before the + date of this letter. In 1856 he wrote a paper entitled "Observations on + 'The Theory of the Origin of Slaty Cleavage,' by H.C. Sorby." "Phil. Mag." + XII., 1856, page 129.) + </p> + <p> + Sorby read a paper to the Brit. Assoc., and he comes to the conclusion + that gneiss, etc., may be metamorphosed cleavage or strata; and I think he + admits much chemical segregation along the planes of division. (543/2. "On + the Microscopical Structure of Mica-schist:" "Brit. Ass. Rep." 1856, page + 78. See also Letters 540-542.) I quite subscribe to this view, and should + have been sorry to have been so utterly wrong, as I should have been if + foliation was identical with stratification. + </p> + <p> + I have been nowhere and seen no one, and really have no news of any kind + to tell you. I have been working away as usual, floating plants in salt + water inter alia, and confound them, they all sink pretty soon, but at + very different rates. Working hard at pigeons, etc., etc. By the way, I + have been astonished at the differences in the skeletons of domestic + rabbits. I showed some of the points to Waterhouse, and asked him whether + he could pretend that they were not as great as between species, and he + answered, "They are a great deal more." How very odd that no zoologist + should ever have thought it worth while to look to the real structure of + varieties... + </p> + <p> + 2.IX.VI. AGE OF THE WORLD, 1868-1877. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 544. TO J. CROLL. Down, September 19th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + I hope that you will allow me to thank you for sending me your papers in + the "Phil. Magazine." (544/1. Croll published several papers in the + "Philosophical Magazine" between 1864 and the date of this letter (1868).) + I have never, I think, in my life been so deeply interested by any + geological discussion. I now first begin to see what a million means, and + I feel quite ashamed of myself at the silly way in which I have spoken of + millions of years. I was formerly a great believer in the power of the sea + in denudation, and this was perhaps natural, as most of my geological work + was done near sea-coasts and on islands. But it is a consolation to me to + reflect that as soon as I read Mr. Whitaker's paper (544/2. "On Subaerial + Denudation," and "On Cliffs and Escarpments of the Chalk and Lower + Tertiary Beds," "Geol. Mag." Volume IV., page 447, 1867.) on the + escarpments of England, and Ramsay (544/3. "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." + Volume XVIII., page 185, 1862. "On the Glacial Origin of certain Lakes in + Switzerland, the Black Forest, Great Britain, Sweden, North America, and + elsewhere.') and Jukes' papers (544/4. "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume + XVIII., page 378, 1862. "On the Mode of Formation of some River-Valleys in + the South of Ireland."), I gave up in my own mind the case; but I never + fully realised the truth until reading your papers just received. How + often I have speculated in vain on the origin of the valleys in the chalk + platform round this place, but now all is clear. I thank you cordially for + having cleared so much mist from before my eyes. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 545. TO T. MELLARD READE. Down, February 9th, 1877. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your kind note, and the present of your essay. I + have read it with great interest, and the results are certainly most + surprising. (545/1. Presidential Address delivered by T. Mellard Reade + before the Liverpool Geological Society ("Proc. Liverpool Geol. Soc." + Volume III., pt. iii., page 211, 1877). See also "Examination of a + Calculation of the Age of the Earth, based upon the hypothesis of the + Permanence of Oceans and Continents." "Geol. Mag." Volume X., page 309, + 1883.) It appears to me almost monstrous that Professor Tait should say + that the duration of the world has not exceeded ten million years. (545/2. + "Lecture on Some Recent Advances in Physical Science," by P.G. Tait, + London, 1876.) The argument which seems the most weighty in favour of the + belief that no great number of millions of years have elapsed since the + world was inhabited by living creatures is the rate at which the + temperature of the crust increases, and I wish that I could see this + argument answered. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 546. TO J. CROLL. Down, August 9th, 1877. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your essay, which I have read with the greatest + interest. With respect to the geological part, I have long wished to see + the evidence collected on the time required for denudation, and you have + done it admirably. (546/1. In a paper "On the Tidal Retardation Argument + for the Age of the Earth" ("Brit. Assoc. Report," 1876, page 88), Croll + reverts to the influence of subaerial denudation in altering the form of + the earth as an objection to the argument from tidal retardation. He had + previously dealt with this subject in "Climate and Time," Chapter XX., + London, 1875.) I wish some one would in a like spirit compare the + thickness of sedimentary rocks with the quickest estimated rate of + deposition by a large river, and other such evidence. Your main argument + with respect to the sun seems to me very striking. + </p> + <p> + My son George desires me to thank you for his copy, and to say how much he + has been interested by it. + </p> + <p> + 2.IX.VII. GEOLOGICAL ACTION OF EARTHWORMS, 1880-1882. + </p> + <p> + "My whole soul is absorbed with worms just at present." (From a letter to + Sir W. Thistleton-Dyer, November 26th, 1880.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 547. TO T.H. FARRER (Lord Farrer). + </p> + <p> + (547/1. The five following letters, written shortly before and after the + publication of "The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of + Worms," 1881, deal with questions connected with Mr. Darwin's work on the + habits and geological action of earthworms.) + </p> + <p> + Down, October 20th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + What a man you are to do thoroughly whatever you undertake to do! The + supply of specimens has been magnificent, and I have worked at them for a + day and a half. I find a very few well-rounded grains of brick in the + castings from over the gravel walk, and plenty over the hole in the field, + and over the Roman floor. (547/2. See "The Formation of Vegetable Mould," + 1881, pages 178 et seq. The Roman remains formed part of a villa + discovered at Abinger, Surrey. Excavations were carried out, under Lord + Farrer's direction, in a field adjoining the ground in which the Roman + villa was first found, and extended observations were made by Lord Farrer, + which led Mr. Darwin to conclude that a large part of the fine vegetable + mould covering the floor of the villa had been brought up from below by + worms.) You have done me the greatest possible service by making me more + cautious than I should otherwise have been—viz., by sending me the + rubbish from the road itself; in this rubbish I find very many particles, + rounded (I suppose) by having been crushed, angles knocked off, and + somewhat rolled about. But not a few of the particles may have passed + through the bodies of worms during the years since the road was laid down. + I still think that the fragments are ground in the gizzards of worms, + which always contain bits of stone; but I must try and get more evidence. + I have to-day started a pot with worms in very fine soil, with sharp + fragments of hard tiles laid on the surface, and hope to see in the course + of time whether any of those become rounded. I do not think that more + specimens from Abinger would aid me... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 548. TO G.J. ROMANES. Down, March 7th. + </p> + <p> + I was quite mistaken about the "Gardeners' Chronicle;" in my index there + are only the few enclosed and quite insignificant references having any + relation to the minds of animals. When I returned to my work, I found that + I had nearly completed my statement of facts about worms plugging up their + burrows with leaves (548/1. Chapter II., of "The Formation of Vegetable + Mould through the Action of Worms," 1881, contains a discussion on the + intelligence shown by worms in the manner of plugging up their burrows + with leaves (pages 78 et seq.).), etc., etc., so I waited until I had + naturally to draw up a few concluding remarks. I hope that it will not + bore you to read the few accompanying pages, and in the middle you will + find a few sentences with a sort of definition of, or rather discussion + on, intelligence. I am altogether dissatisfied with it. I tried to observe + what passed in my own mind when I did the work of a worm. If I come across + a professed metaphysician, I will ask him to give me a more technical + definition, with a few big words about the abstract, the concrete, the + absolute, and the infinite; but seriously, I should be grateful for any + suggestions, for it will hardly do to assume that every fool knows what + "intelligent" means. (548/2. "Mr. Romanes, who has specially studied the + minds of animals, believes that we can safely infer intelligence only when + we see an individual profiting by its own experience...Now, if worms try + to drag objects into their burrows, first in one way and then in another, + until they at last succeed, they profit, at least in each particular + instance, by experience" ("The Formation of Vegetable Mould," 1881, page + 95).) You will understand that the MS. is only the first rough copy, and + will need much correction. Please return it, for I have no other copy—only + a few memoranda. When I think how it has bothered me to know what I mean + by "intelligent," I am sorry for you in your great work on the minds of + animals. + </p> + <p> + I daresay that I shall have to alter wholly the MS. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 549. TO FRANCIS GALTON. Down, March 8th {1881}. + </p> + <p> + Very many thanks for your note. I have been observing the {worm} tracks on + my walks for several months, and they occur (or can be seen) only after + heavy rain. As I know that worms which are going to die (generally from + the parasitic larva of a fly) always come out of their burrows, I have + looked out during these months, and have usually found in the morning only + from one to three or four along the whole length of my walks. On the other + hand, I remember having in former years seen scores or hundreds of dead + worms after heavy rain. (549/1. "After heavy rain succeeding dry weather, + an astonishing number of dead worms may sometimes be seen lying on the + ground. Mr. Galton informs me that on one occasion (March, 1881), the dead + worms averaged one for every two-and-a-half paces in length on a walk in + Hyde Park, four paces in width" (loc. cit., page 14).) I cannot possibly + believe that worms are drowned in the course of even three or four days' + immersion; and I am inclined to conclude that the death of sickly + (probably with parasites) worms is thus hastened. I will add a few words + to what I have said about these tracks. Occasionally worms suffer from + epidemics (of what nature I know not) and die by the million on the + surface of the ground. Your ruby paper answers capitally, but I suspect + that it is only for dimming the light, and I know not how to illuminate + worms by the same intensity of light, and yet of a colour which permits + the actinic rays to pass. I have tried drawing triangles of damp paper + through a small cylindrical hole, as you suggested, and I can discover no + source of error. (549/2. Triangles of paper were used in experiments to + test the intelligence of worms (loc. cit., page 83).) Nevertheless, I am + becoming more doubtful about the intelligence of worms. The worst job is + that they will do their work in a slovenly manner when kept in pots + (549/3. Loc. cit., page 75.), and I am beyond measure perplexed to judge + how far such observations are trustworthy. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 550. TO E. RAY LANKESTER. + </p> + <p> + (550/1. Mr. Lankester had written October 11th, 1881, to thank Mr. Darwin + for the present of the Earthworm book. He asks whether Darwin knows of + "any experiments on the influence of sea-water on earthworms. I have + assumed that it is fatal to them. But there is a littoral species + (Pontodrilus of Perrier) found at Marseilles." Lankester adds, "It is a + great pleasure and source of pride to me to see my drawing of the + earthworm's alimentary canal figuring in your pages." + </p> + <p> + Down, October 13th {1881}. + </p> + <p> + I have been much pleased and interested by your note. I never actually + tried sea-water, but I was very fond of angling when a boy, and as I could + not bear to see the worms wriggling on the hook, I dipped them always + first in salt water, and this killed them very quickly. I remember, though + not very distinctly, seeing several earthworms dead on the beach close to + where a little brook entered, and I assumed that they had been brought + down by the brook, killed by the sea-water, and cast on shore. With your + skill and great knowledge, I have no doubt that you will make out much new + about the anatomy of worms, whenever you take up the subject again. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 551. TO J.H. GILBERT. Down, January, 12th, 1882. + </p> + <p> + I have been much interested by your letter, for which I thank you + heartily. There was not the least cause for you to apologise for not + having written sooner, for I attributed it to the right cause, i.e. your + hands being full of work. + </p> + <p> + Your statement about the quantity of nitrogen in the collected castings is + most curious, and much exceeds what I should have expected. In lately + reading one of your and Mr. Lawes' great papers in the "Philosophical + Transactions" (551/1. The first Report on "Agricultural, Botanical, and + Chemical Results of Experiments on the Mixed Herbage of Permanent + Grassland, conducted for many years in succession on the same land," was + published in the "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society" in + 1880, the second paper appeared in the "Phil. Trans." for 1882, and the + third in the "Phil. Trans." of 1900, Volume 192, page 139.) (the value and + importance of which cannot, in my opinion, be exaggerated) I was struck + with the similarity of your soil with that near here; and anything + observed here would apply to your land. Unfortunately I have never made + deep sections in this neighbourhood, so as to see how deep the worms + burrow, except in one spot, and here there had been left on the surface of + the chalk a little very fine ferruginous sand, probably of Tertiary age; + into this the worms had burrowed to a depth of 55 and 61 inches. I have + never seen here red castings on the surface, but it seems possible (from + what I have observed with reddish sand) that much of the red colour of the + underlying clay would be discharged in passing through the intestinal + canal. + </p> + <p> + Worms usually work near the surface, but I have noticed that at certain + seasons pale-coloured earth is brought up from beneath the outlying + blackish mould on my lawn; but from what depth I cannot say. That some + must be brought up from a depth of four or five or six feet is certain, as + the worms retire to this depth during very dry and very cold weather. As + worms devour greedily raw flesh and dead worms, they could devour dead + larvae, eggs, etc., etc., in the soil, and thus they might locally add to + the amount of nitrogen in the soil, though not of course if the whole + country is considered. I saw in your paper something about the difference + in the amount of nitrogen at different depths in the superficial mould, + and here worms may have played a part. I wish that the problem had been + before me when observing, as possibly I might have thrown some little + light on it, which would have pleased me greatly. + </p> + <p> + 2.IX.VIII. MISCELLANEOUS, 1846-1878. + </p> + <p> + (552/1. The following four letters refer to questions connected with the + origin of coal.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 552. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, May {1846}. + </p> + <p> + I am delighted that you are in the field, geologising or + palaeontologising. I beg you to read the two Rogers' account of the + Coal-fields of N. America; in my opinion they are eminently instructive + and suggestive. (552/1. "On the Physical Structure of the Appalachian + Chain," by W.B. and H.D. Rogers. Boston, 1843. See also "Geology of + Pennsylvania," by H.D. Rogers. 4 volumes. London and Philadelphia, 1843.) + I can lend you their resume of their own labours, and, indeed, I do not + know that their work is yet published in full. L. Horner gives a capital + balance of difficulties on the Coal-theory in his last Anniversary + Address, which, if you have not read, will, I think, interest you. (552/2. + "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume II., 1846, page 170.) In a paper just + read an author (552/3. "On the Remarkable Fossil Trees lately discovered + near St. Helen's." By E.W. Binney. "Phil. Mag." Volume XXIV., page 165, + 1844. On page 173 the author writes: "The Stigmaria or Sigillaria, + whichever name is to be retained... was a tree that undoubtedly grew in + water.") throws out the idea that the Sigillaria was an aquatic plant + (552/4. See "Life and Letters," I., pages 356 et seq.)—I suppose a + Cycad-Conifer with the habits of the mangrove. From simple geological + reasoning I have for some time been led to suspect that the great (and + great and difficult it is) problem of the Coal would be solved on the + theory of the upright plants having been aquatic. But even on such, I + presume improbable notion, there are, as it strikes me, immense + difficulties, and none greater than the width of the coal-fields. On what + kind of coast or land could the plants have lived? It is a grand problem, + and I trust you will grapple with it. I shall like much to have some + discussion with you. When will you come here again? I am very sorry to + infer from your letter that your sister has been ill. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 553. TO J.D. HOOKER. {June 2nd, 1847.} + </p> + <p> + I received your letter the other day, full of curious facts, almost all + new to me, on the coal-question. (553/1. Sir Joseph Hooker deals with the + formation of coal in his classical paper "On the Vegetation of the + Carboniferous Period, as compared with that of the Present Day." "Mem. + Geol. Surv. Great Britain," Volume II., pt. ii., 1848.) I will bring your + note to Oxford (553/2. The British Association met at Oxford in 1847.), + and then we will talk it over. I feel pretty sure that some of your purely + geological difficulties are easily solvable, and I can, I think, throw a + very little light on the shell difficulty. Pray put no stress in your mind + about the alternate, neatly divided, strata of sandstone and shale, etc. I + feel the same sort of interest in the coal question as a man does watching + two good players at play, he knowing little or nothing of the game. I + confess your last letter (and this you will think very strange) has almost + raised Binney's notion (an old, growing hobby-horse of mine) to the + dignity of an hypothesis (553/3. Binney suggested that the Coal-plants + grew in salt water. (See Letters 102, 552.) Recent investigations have + shown that several of the plants of the Coal period possessed certain + anatomical peculiarities, which indicate xerophytic characteristics, and + lend support to the view that some at least of the plants grew in seashore + swamps.), though very far yet below the promotion of being properly called + a theory. + </p> + <p> + I will bring the remainder of my species-sketch to Oxford to go over your + remarks. I have lately been getting a good many rich facts. I saw the poor + old Dean of Manchester (553/4. Dean Herbert.) on Friday, and he received + me very kindly. He looked dreadfully ill, and about an hour afterwards + died! I am most sincerely sorry for it. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 554. TO J.D. HOOKER. {May 12th, 1847.} + </p> + <p> + I cannot resist thanking you for your most kind note. Pray do not think + that I was annoyed by your letter. I perceived that you had been thinking + with animation, and accordingly expressed yourself strongly, and so I + understood it. Forefend me from a man who weighs every expression with + Scotch prudence. I heartily wish you all success in your noble problem, + and I shall be very curious to have some talk with you and hear your + ultimatum. (554/1. The above paragraph was published in "Life and + Letters," I., page 359.) I do really think, after Binney's pamphlet + (554/2. "On the Origin of Coal," "Mem. Lit. Phil. Soc." Manchester Volume + VIII., page 148, 1848.), it will be worth your while to array your facts + and ideas against an aquatic origin of the coal, though I do not know + whether you object to freshwater. I am sure I have read somewhere of the + cones of Lepidodendron being found round the stump of a tree, or am I + confusing something else? How interesting all rooted—better, it + seems from what you say, than upright—specimens become. + </p> + <p> + I wish Ehrenberg would undertake a microscopical hunt for infusoria in the + underclay and shales; it might reveal something. Would a comparison of the + ashes of terrestrial peat and coal give any clue? (554/3. In an article by + M. F. Rigaud on "La Formation de la Houille," published in the "Revue + Scientifique," Volume II., page 385, 1894, the author lays stress on the + absence of certain elements in the ash of coals, which ought to be + present, on the assumption that the carbon has been derived from plant + tissues. If coal consists of altered vegetable debris, we ought to find a + certain amount of alkalies and phosphoric acid in its ash. Had such + substances ever been present, it is difficult to understand how they could + all have been removed by the solvent action of water. (Rigaud's views are + given at greater length in an article on the "Structure and Formation of + Coal," "Science Progress," Volume II., pages 355 and 431, 1895.)) Peat + ashes are good manure, and coal ashes, except mechanically, I believe are + of little use. Does this indicate that the soluble salts have been washed + out? i.e., if they are NOT present. I go up to Geological Council to-day—so + farewell. + </p> + <p> + (554/4. In a letter to Sir Joseph Hooker, October 6th, 1847, Mr. Darwin, + in referring to the origin of Coal, wrote: "...I sometimes think it could + not have been formed at all. Old Sir Anthony Carlisle once said to me + gravely that he supposed Megatherium and such cattle were just sent down + from heaven to see whether the earth would support them, and I suppose the + coal was rained down to puzzle mortals. You must work the coal well in + India.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 555. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, May 22nd, 1860. + </p> + <p> + Lyell tells me that Binney has published in Proceedings of Manchester + Society a paper trying to show that Coal plants must have grown in very + marine marshes. (555/1. "On the Origin of Coal," by E.W. Binney, "Mem. + Lit. Phil. Soc. Manchester," Volume VIII., 1848, page 148. Binney examines + the evidence on which dry land has been inferred to exist during the + formation of the Coal Measures, and comes to the conclusion that the land + was covered by water, confirming Brongniart's opinion that Sigillaria was + an aquatic plant. He believes the Sigillaria "grew in water, on the + deposits where it is now discovered, and that it is the plant which in a + great measure contributed to the formation of our valuable beds of coal." + (Loc. cit., page 193.)) Do you remember how savage you were long years ago + at my broaching such a conjecture? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 556. TO L. HORNER. Down {1846?}. + </p> + <p> + I am truly pleased at your approval of my book (556/1. "Geological + Observations on South America," London, 1846.): it was very kind of you + taking the trouble to tell me so. I long hesitated whether I would publish + it or not, and now that I have done so at a good cost of trouble, it is + indeed highly satisfactory to think that my labour has not been quite + thrown away. + </p> + <p> + I entirely acquiesce in your criticism on my calling the Pampean formation + "recent" (556/2. "We must, therefore, conclude that the Pampean formation + belongs, in the ordinary geological sense of the word, to the Recent + Period." ("Geol. Obs." page 101).); Pleistocene would have been far + better. I object, however, altogether on principle (whether I have always + followed my principle is another question) to designate any epoch after + man. It breaks through all principles of classification to take one + mammifer as an epoch. And this is presupposing we know something of the + introduction of man: how few years ago all beds earlier than the + Pleistocene were characterised as being before the monkey epoch. It + appears to me that it may often be convenient to speak of an Historical or + Human deposit in the same way as we speak of an Elephant bed, but that to + apply it to an epoch is unsound. + </p> + <p> + I have expressed myself very ill, and I am not very sure that my notions + are very clear on this subject, except that I know that I have often been + made wroth (even by Lyell) at the confidence with which people speak of + the introduction of man, as if they had seen him walk on the stage, and as + if, in a geological chronological sense, it was more important than the + entry of any other mammifer. + </p> + <p> + You ask me to do a most puzzling thing, to point out what is newest in my + volume, and I found myself incapable of doing almost the same for Lyell. + My mind goes from point to point without deciding: what has interested + oneself or given most trouble is, perhaps quite falsely, thought newest. + The elevation of the land is perhaps more carefully treated than any other + subject, but it cannot, of course, be called new. I have made out a sort + of index, which will not take you a couple of minutes to skim over, and + then you will perhaps judge what seems newest. The summary at the end of + the book would also serve same purpose. + </p> + <p> + I do not know where E. de B. {Elie de Beaumont} has lately put forth on + the recent elevation of the Cordillera. He "rapported" favourably on + d'Orbigny, who in late times fires off a most Royal salute; every volcano + bursting forth in the Andes at the same time with their elevation, the + debacle thus caused depositing all the Pampean mud and all the Patagonian + shingle! Is not this making Geology nice and simple for beginners? + </p> + <p> + We have been very sorry to hear of Bunbury's severe illness; I believe the + measles are often dangerous to grown-up people. I am very glad that your + last account was so much better. + </p> + <p> + I am astonished that you should have had the courage to go right through + my book. It is quite obvious that most geologists find it far easier to + write than to read a book. + </p> + <p> + Chapter I. and II.—Elevation of the land: equability on E. coast as + shown by terraces, page 19; length on W. coast, page 53; height at + Valparaiso, page 32; number of periods of rest at Coquimbo, page 49; + elevation within Human period near Lima greater than elsewhere observed; + the discussion (page 41) on non-horizontality of terraces perhaps one of + newest features—on formation of terraces rather newish. + </p> + <p> + Chapter III., page 65.—Argument of horizontal elevation of + Cordillera I believe new. I think the connection (page 54) between + earthquake {shocks} and insensible rising important. + </p> + <p> + Chapter IV.—The strangeness of the (Eocene) mammifers, co-existing + with recent shells. + </p> + <p> + Chapter V.—Curious pumiceous infusorial mudstone (page 118) of + Patagonia; climate of old Tertiary period, page 134. The subject which has + been most fertile in my mind is the discussion from page 135 to end of + chapter on the accumulation of fossiliferous deposits. (556/3. The last + section of Chapter V. treats of "the Absence of extensive modern + Conchiferous Deposits in South America; and on the contemporaneousness of + the older Tertiary Deposits at distant points being due to contemporaneous + movements of subsidence." Darwin expresses the view that "the earth's + surface oscillates up and down; and...during the elevatory movements there + is but a small chance of durable fossiliferous deposits accumulating" + (loc. cit., page 139).) + </p> + <p> + Chapter VI.—Perhaps some facts on metamorphism, but chiefly on the + layers in mica-slate, etc., being analogous to cleavage. + </p> + <p> + Chapter VII.—The grand up-and-down movements (and vertical + silicified trees) in the Cordillera: see summary, page 204 and page 240. + Origin of the Claystone porphyry formation, page 170. + </p> + <p> + Chapter VIII., page 224.—Mixture of Cretaceous and Oolitic forms + (page 226)—great subsidence. I think (page 232) there is some + novelty in discussion on axes of eruption and injection. (page 247) + Continuous volcanic action in the Cordillera. I think the concluding + summary (page 237) would show what are the most salient features in the + book. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 557. TO C. LYELL. Shrewsbury {August 10th, 1846}. + </p> + <p> + I was delighted to receive your letter, which was forwarded here to me. I + am very glad to hear about the new edition of the "Principles," (557/1. + The seventh edition of the "Principles of Geology" was published in + 1847.), and I most heartily hope you may live to bring out half a dozen + more editions. There would not have been such books as d'Orbigny's S. + American Geology (557/2. "Voyage dans l'Amerique meridionale execute + pendant les Annees 1826-37." 6 volumes, Paris, 1835-43.) published, if + there had been seven editions of the "Principles" distributed in France. I + am rather sorry about the small type; but the first edition, my old true + love, which I never deserted for the later editions, was also in small + type. I much fear I shall not be able to give any assistance to Book III. + (557/3. This refers to Book III. of the "Principles"—"Changes of the + Organic World now in Progress.") I think I formerly gave my few + criticisms, but I will read it over again very soon (though I am striving + to finish my S. American Geology (557/4. "Geological Observations on South + America" was published in 1846.)) and see whether I can give you any + references. I have been thinking over the subject, and can remember no one + book of consequence, as all my materials (which are in an absolute chaos + on separate bits of paper) have been picked out of books not directly + treating of the subjects you have discussed, and which I hope some day to + attempt; thus Hooker's "Antarctic Flora" I have found eminently useful + (557/5. "Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M.S. 'Erebus' and 'Terror' in + the Years 1839-43." I., "Flora Antarctica." 2 volumes, London, 1844-47.), + and yet I declare I do not know what precise facts I could refer you to. + Bronn's "Geschichte" (557/6. "Naturgeschichte der drei Reiche." H.E. + Bronn, Stuttgart, 1834-49.) which you once borrowed) is the only + systematic book I have met with on such subjects; and there are no general + views in such parts as I have read, but an immense accumulation of + references, very useful to follow up, but not credible in themselves: thus + he gives hybrids from ducks and fowls just as readily as between fowls and + pheasants! You can have it again if you like. I have no doubt Forbes' + essay, which is, I suppose, now fairly out, will be very good under + geographical head. (557/7. "On the Connection between the Distribution of + the existing Fauna and Flora of the British Isles, and the Geological + Changes which have affected their Area, especially during the Epoch of the + Northern Drift," by E. Forbes. "Memoirs of Geological Survey," Volume I., + page 336, 1846.) Kolreuter's German book is excellent on hybrids, but it + will cost you a good deal of time to work out any conclusion from his + numerous details. (557/8. Joseph Gottlieb Kolreuter's "Vorlaufige + Nachricht von eininigen das Geschlecht der Pflanzen betreffenden Versuchen + und Beobachtungen." Leipzig, 1761.) With respect to variation I have found + nothing—but minute details scattered over scores of volumes. But I + will look over Book III. again. What a quantity of work you have in hand! + I almost wish you could have finished America, and thus have allowed + yourself rather more time for the old "Principles"; and I am quite + surprised that you could possibly have worked your own new matter in + within six weeks. Your intention of being in Southampton will much + strengthen mine, and I shall be very glad to hear some of your American + Geology news. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 558. TO L. HORNER. Down, Sunday {January 1847}. + </p> + <p> + Your most agreeable praise of my book is enough to turn my head; I am + really surprised at it, but shall swallow it with very much gusto... + (558/1. "Geological Observations in S. America," London, 1846.) + </p> + <p> + E. de Beaumont measured the inclination with a sextant and artificial + horizon, just as you take the height of the sun for latitude. + </p> + <p> + With respect to my Journal, I think the sketches in the second edition + (558/2. "Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of the + Countries visited during the Voyage of H.M.S. 'Beagle.'" Edition II. + London, 1845.) are pretty accurate; but in the first they are not so, for + I foolishly trusted to my memory, and was much annoyed to find how hasty + and inaccurate many of my remarks were, when I went over my huge pile of + descriptions of each locality. + </p> + <p> + If ever you meet anyone circumstanced as I was, advise him not, on any + account, to give any sketches until his materials are fully worked out. + </p> + <p> + What labour you must be undergoing now; I have wondered at your patience + in having written to me two such long notes. How glad Mrs. Horner will be + when your address is completed. (558/3. Anniversary Address of the + President ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume III., page xxii, 1847).) I + must say that I am much pleased that you will notice my volume in your + address, for former Presidents took no notice of my two former volumes. + </p> + <p> + I am exceedingly glad that Bunbury is going on well. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 559. TO C. LYELL. Down, July 3rd {1849}. + </p> + <p> + I don't know when I have read a book so interesting (559/1. "A Second + Visit to the United States of North America." 2 volumes, London, 1849.); + some of your stories are very rich. You ought to be made Minister of + Public Education—not but what I should think even that beneath the + author of the old "Principles." Your book must, I should think, do a great + deal of good and set people thinking. I quite agree with the "Athenaeum" + that you have shown how a man of science can bring his powers of + observation to social subjects. (559/2. "Sir Charles Lyell, besides the + feelings of a gentleman, seems to carry with him the best habits of + scientific observation into other strata than those of clay, into other + 'formations' than those of rock or river-margin." "The Athenaeum," June + 23rd, 1849, page 640.) You have made H. Wedgwood, heart and soul, an + American; he wishes the States would annex us, and was all day marvelling + how anyone who could pay his passage money was so foolish as to remain + here. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 560. TO C. LYELL. Down, {December, 1849}. + </p> + <p> + (560/1. In this letter Darwin criticises Dana's statements in his volume + on "Geology," forming Volume X. of the "Wilkes Exploring Expedition," + 1849.) + </p> + <p> + ...Dana is dreadfully hypothetical in many parts, and often as "d—d + cocked sure" as Macaulay. He writes however so lucidly that he is very + persuasive. I am more struck with his remarks on denudation than you seem + to be. I came to exactly the same conclusion in Tahiti, that the wonderful + valleys there (on the opposite extreme of the scale of wonder {to} the + valleys of New South Wales) were formed exclusively by fresh water. He + underrates the power of sea, no doubt, but read his remarks on valleys in + the Sandwich group. I came to the conclusion in S. America (page 67) that + the main effect of fresh water is to deepen valleys, and sea to widen + them; I now rather doubt whether in a valley or fiord...the sea would + deepen the rock at its head during the elevation of the land. I should + like to tour on the W. coast of Scotland, and attend to this. I forget how + far generally the shores of fiords (not straits) are cliff-formed. It is a + most interesting subject. + </p> + <p> + I return once again to Coral. I find he does not differ so much in detail + with me regarding areas of subsidence; his map is coloured on some quite + unintelligible principle, and he deduces subsidence from the vaguest + grounds, such as that the N. Marianne Islands must have subsided because + they are small, though long in volcanic action: and that the Marquesas + subsided because they are penetrated by deep bays, etc., etc. I utterly + disbelieve his statements that most of the atolls have been lately raised + a foot or two. He does not condescend to notice my explanation for such + appearances. He misrepresents me also when he states that I deduce, + without restriction, elevation from all fringing reefs, and even from + islands without any reefs! If his facts are true, it is very curious that + the atolls decrease in size in approaching the vast open ocean S. of the + Sandwich Islands. Dana puts me in a passion several times by disputing my + conclusions without condescending to allude to my reasons; thus, regarding + S. Lorenzo elevation, he is pleased to speak of my "characteristic + accuracy" (560/2. Dana's "Geology" (Wilkes expedition), page 590.), and + then gives difficulties (as if his own) when they are stated by me, and I + believe explained by me—whereas he only alludes to a few of the + facts. So in Australian valleys, he does not allude to my several reasons. + But I am forgetting myself and running on about what can only interest + myself. He strikes me as a very clever fellow; I wish he was not quite so + grand a generaliser. I see little of interest except on volcanic action + and denudation, and here and there scattered remarks; some of the later + chapters are very bald. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 561. TO J.D. DANA. Down, December 5th, 1849. + </p> + <p> + I have not for some years been so much pleased as I have just been by + reading your most able discussion on coral reefs. I thank you most + sincerely for the very honourable mention you make of me. (561/1. "United + States Exploring Expedition during the Years 1839-42 under the Command of + Charles Wilkes, U.S.N." Volume X., "Geology," by J.D. Dana, 1849.) This + day I heard that the atlas has arrived, and this completes your munificent + present to me. I have not yet come to the chapter on subsidence, and in + that I fancy we shall disagree, but in the descriptive part our agreement + has been eminently satisfactory to me, and far more than I ever ventured + to anticipate. I consider that now the subsidence theory is established. I + have read about half through the descriptive part of the "Volcanic + Geology" (561/2. Part of Dana's "Geology" is devoted to volcanic action.) + (last night I ascended the peaks of Tahiti with you, and what I saw in my + short excursion was most vividly brought before me by your descriptions), + and have been most deeply interested by it. Your observations on the + Sandwich craters strike me as the most important and original of any that + I have read for a long time. Now that I have read yours, I believe I saw + at the Galapagos, at a distance, instances of those most curious fissures + of eruption. There are many points of resemblance between the Galapagos + and Sandwich Islands (even to the shape of the mound-like hills)—viz., + in the liquidity of the lavas, absence of scoriae, and tuff-craters. Many + of your scattered remarks on denudation have particularly interested me; + but I see that you attribute less to sea and more to running water than I + have been accustomed to do. After your remarks in your last very kind + letter I could not help skipping on to the Australian valleys (561/3. + Ibid., pages 526 et seq.: "The Formation of Valleys, etc., in New South + Wales."), on which your remarks strike me as exceedingly ingenious and + novel, but they have not converted me. I cannot conceive how the great + lateral bays could have been scooped out, and their sides rendered + precipitous by running water. I shall go on and read every word of your + excellent volume. + </p> + <p> + If you look over my "Geological Instructions" you will be amused to see + that I urge attention to several points which you have elaborately + discussed. (561/4. "A Manual of Scientific Enquiry, prepared for the use + of Her Majesty's Navy, and adapted for Travellers in General." Edited by + Sir John F.W. Herschel, Bart. London, 1849 (Section VI., "Geology." By + Charles Darwin).) I lately read a paper of yours on Chambers' book, and + was interested by it. I really believe the facts of the order described by + Chambers, in S. America, which I have described in my Geolog. volume. This + leads me to ask you (as I cannot doubt that you will have much geological + weight in N. America) to look to a discussion at page 135 in that volume + on the importance of subsidence to the formation of deposits, which are to + last to a distant age. This view strikes me as of some importance. + </p> + <p> + When I meet a very good-natured man I have that degree of badness of + disposition in me that I always endeavour to take advantage of him; + therefore I am going to mention some desiderata, which if you can supply I + shall be very grateful, but if not no answer will be required. + </p> + <p> + Thank you for your "Conspectus Crust.," but I am sorry to say I am not + worthy of it, though I have always thought the Crustacea a beautiful + subject. (561/5. "Conspectus Crustaceorum in orbis terrarum + circumnavigatione, C. Wilkes duce, collectorum." Cambridge (U.S.A.), + 1847.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 562. TO C. LYELL. {Down, March 9th, 1850.} + </p> + <p> + I am uncommonly much obliged to you for your address, which I had not + expected to see so soon, and which I have read with great interest. + (562/1. Anniversary Address of the President, "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." + Volume VI., page 32, 1850.) I do not know whether you spent much time over + it, but it strikes me as extra well arranged and written—done in the + most artistic manner, to use an expression which I particularly hate. + Though I am necessarily pretty well familiar with your ideas from your + conversation and books, yet the whole had an original freshness to me. I + am glad that you broke through the routine of the President's addresses, + but I should be sorry if others did. Your criticisms on Murchison were to + me, and I think would be to many, particularly acceptable. (562/2. In a + paper "On the Geological Structure of the Alps, etc." ("Quart. Journ. + Geol. Soc." Volume V., page 157, 1849) Murchison expressed his belief that + the apparent inversion of certain Tertiary strata along the flanks of the + Alps afforded "a clear demonstration of a sudden operation or + catastrophe." It is this view of paroxysmal energy that Lyell criticises + in the address.) Capital, that metaphor of the clock. (562/3. "In a word, + the movement of the inorganic world is obvious and palpable, and might be + likened to the minute-hand of a clock, the progress of which can be seen + and heard, whereas the fluctuations of the living creation are nearly + invisible, and resemble the motion of the hour-hand of a timepiece" (loc. + cit., page xlvi).) I shall next February be much interested by seeing your + hour-hand of the organic world going. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your kindness in taking the trouble to tell me of the + anniversary dinner. What a compliment that was which Lord Mahon paid me! I + never had so great a one. He must be as charming a man as his wife is a + woman, though I was formerly blind to his merit. Bunsen's speech must have + been very interesting and very useful, if any orthodox clergyman were + present. Your metaphor of the pebbles of pre-existing languages reminds me + that I heard Sir J. Herschel at the Cape say how he wished some one would + treat language as you had Geology, and study the existing causes of + change, and apply the deduction to old languages. + </p> + <p> + We are all pretty flourishing here, though I have been retrograding a + little, and I think I stand excitement and fatigue hardly better than in + old days, and this keeps me from coming to London. My cirripedial task is + an eternal one; I make no perceptible progress. I am sure that they belong + to the hour-hand, and I groan under my task. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 563. C. LYELL TO CHARLES DARWIN. April 23rd, 1855. + </p> + <p> + I have seen a good deal of French geologists and palaeontologists lately, + and there are many whom I should like to put on the R.S. Foreign List, + such as D'Archiac, Prevost, and others. But the man who has made the + greatest sacrifices and produced the greatest results, who has, in fact, + added a new period to the calendar, is Barrande. + </p> + <p> + The importance of his discoveries as they stand before the public fully + justify your choice of him; but what is unpublished, and which I have + seen, is, if possible, still more surprising. Thirty genera of gasteropods + (150 species) and 150 species of lamellibranchiate bivalves in the + Silurian! All obtained by quarries opened solely by him for fossils. A man + of very moderate fortune spending nearly all his capital on geology, and + with success. + </p> + <p> + E. Forbes' polarity doctrines are nearly overturned by the unpublished + discoveries of Barrande. (563/1. See note, Letter 41, Volume I.) + </p> + <p> + I have called Barrande's new period Cambrian (see "Manual," 5th edition), + and you will see why. I could not name it Protozoic, but had Barrande + called it Bohemian, I must have adopted that name. All the French will + rejoice if you confer an honour on Barrande. Dana is well worthy of being + a foreign member. + </p> + <p> + Should you succeed in making Barrande F.R.S., send me word. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 564. TO J.D. HOOKER. June 5th {1857}. + </p> + <p> + (564/1. The following, which bears on the subject of medals, forms part of + the long letter printed in the "Life and Letters," II., page 100.) + </p> + <p> + I do not quite agree with your estimate of Richardson's merits. Do, I beg + you (whenever you quietly see), talk with Lyell on Prestwich: if he agrees + with Hopkins, I am silenced; but as yet I must look at the correlation of + the Tertiaries as one of the highest and most frightfully difficult tasks + a man could set himself, and excellent work, as I believe, P. has done. + (564/2. Prof. Prestwich had published numerous papers dealing with + Tertiary Geology before 1857. The contributions referred to are probably + those "On the Correlation of the Lower Tertiaries of England with those of + France and Belgium," "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume X., 1854, page 454; + and "On the Correlation of the Middle Eocene Tertiaries of England, + France, and Belgium," ibid., XII., 1856, page 390.) I confess I do not + value Hopkins' opinion on such a point. I confess I have never thought, as + you show ought to be done, on the future. I quite agree, under all + circumstances, with the propriety of Lindley. How strange no new + geologists are coming forward! Are there not lots of good young chemists + and astronomers or physicists? Fitton is the only old geologist left who + has done good work, except Sedgwick. Have you thought of him? He would be + a brilliant companion for Lindley. Only it would never do to give Lyell a + Copley and Sedgwick a Royal in the same year. It seems wrong that there + should be three Natural Science medals in the same year. Lindley, + Sedgwick, and Bunsen sounds well, and Lyell next year for the Copley. + (564/3. In 1857 a Royal medal was awarded to John Lindley; Lyell received + the Copley in 1858, and Bunsen in 1860.) You will see that I am + speculating as a mere idle amateur. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 565. TO S.P. WOODWARD. Down, May 27th {1856}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged to you for having taken the trouble to answer my + query so fully. I can now be at rest, for from what you say and from what + little I remember Forbes said, my point is unanswerable. The case of + Terebratula is to the point as far as it goes, and is negative. I have + already attempted to get a solution through geographical distribution by + Dr. Hooker's means, and he finds that the same genera which have very + variable species in Europe have other very variable species elsewhere. + This seems the general rule, but with some few exceptions. I see from the + several reasons which you assign, that there is no hope of comparing the + same genus at two different periods, and seeing whether the tendency to + vary is greater at one period in such genus than at another period. The + variability of certain genera or groups of species strikes me as a very + odd fact. (565/1. The late Dr. Neumayr has dealt, to some extent, with + this subject in "Die Stamme des Thierreichs," Volume I., Wien, 1889.) + </p> + <p> + I shall have no points, as far as I can remember, to suggest for your + reconsideration, but only some on which I shall have to beg for a little + further information. However, I feel inclined very much to dispute your + doctrine of islands being generally ancient in comparison, I presume, with + continents. I imagine you think that islands are generally remnants of old + continents, a doctrine which I feel strongly disposed to doubt. I believe + them generally rising points; you, it seems, think them sinking points. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 566. TO T.H. HUXLEY. Down, April 14th {1860}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your kind and pleasant letter. I have been much interested + by "Deep-sea Soundings,", and will return it by this post, or as soon as I + have copied a few sentences. (566/1. Specimens of the mud dredged by + H.M.S. "Cyclops" were sent to Huxley for examination, who gave a brief + account of them in Appendix A of Capt. Dayman's Report, 1858, under the + title "Deep-sea Soundings in the North Atlantic.") I think you said that + some one was investigating the soundings. I earnestly hope that you will + ask the some one to carefully observe whether any considerable number of + the calcareous organisms are more or less friable, or corroded, or + scaling; so that one might form some crude notion whether the deposition + is so rapid that the foraminifera are preserved from decay and thus are + forming strata at this profound depth. This is a subject which seems to me + to have been much neglected in examining soundings. + </p> + <p> + Bronn has sent me two copies of his Morphologische Studien uber die + Gestaltungsgesetze." (H.G. Bronn, "Morphologische Studien uber die + Gestaltungsgesetze der Naturkorper uberhaupt und der organischen + insbesondere": Leipzig, 1858.) It looks elementary. If you will write you + shall have the copy; if not I will give it to the Linnean Library. + </p> + <p> + I quite agree with the letter from Lyell that your extinguished + theologians lying about the cradle of each new science, etc., etc., is + splendid. (566/2. "Darwiniana, Collected Essays," Volume II., page 52.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 567. TO T.H. HUXLEY. May 10th {1862 or later}. + </p> + <p> + I have been in London, which has prevented my writing sooner. I am very + sorry to hear that you have been ill: if influenza, I can believe in any + degree of prostration of strength; if from over-work, for God's sake do + not be rash and foolish. You ask for criticisms; I have none to give, only + impressions. I fully agree with your "skimming-of-pot theory," and very + well you have put it. With respect {to} contemporaneity I nearly agree + with you, and if you will look to the d—d book, 3rd edition, page + 349 you will find nearly similar remarks. (567/1. "When the marine forms + are spoken of as having changed simultaneously throughout the world, it + must not be supposed that this expression relates to the same year, or to + the same century, or even that it has a very strict geological sense; for + if all the marine animals now living in Europe, and all those that lived + in Europe during the Pleistocene period (a very remote period as measured + by years, including the whole Glacial epoch), were compared with those now + existing in South America or in Australia, the most skilful naturalist + would hardly be able to say whether the present or the Pleistocene + inhabitants of Europe resembled most closely those of the Southern + hemisphere." "Origin," Edition VI., page 298. The passage in Edition III., + page 350, is substantially the same.) But at page 22 of your Address, in + my opinion you put your ideas too far. (567/2. Anniversary Address to the + Geological Society of London ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XVIII., + page xl, 1862). As an illustration of the misleading use of the term + "contemporaneous" as employed by geologists, Huxley gives the following + illustration: "Now suppose that, a million or two of years hence, when + Britain has made another dip beneath the sea and has come up again, some + geologist applies this doctrine {i.e., the doctrine of the Contemporaneity + of the European and of the North American Silurians: proof of + contemporaneity is considered to be established by the occurrence of 60 + per cent. of species in common}, in comparing the strata laid bare by the + upheaval of the bottom, say, of St. George's Channel with what may then + remain of the Suffolk Crag. Reasoning in the same way, he will at once + decide the Suffolk Crag and the St. George's Channel beds to be + contemporaneous; although we happen to know that a vast period...of + time...separates the two" (loc. cit., page xlv). This address is + republished in the "Collected Essays," Volume VIII.; the above passage is + at page 284.) I cannot think that future geologists would rank the Suffolk + and St. George's strata as contemporaneous, but as successive sub-stages; + they rank N. America and British stages as contemporaneous, + notwithstanding a percentage of different species (which they, I presume, + would account for by geographical difference) owing to the parallel + succession of the forms in both countries. For terrestrial productions I + grant that great errors may creep in (567/3. Darwin supposes that + terrestrial productions have probably not changed to the same extent as + marine organisms. "If the Megatherium, Mylodon...had been brought to + Europe from La Plata, without any information in regard to their + geological position, no one would have suspected that they had co-existed + with sea shells all still living" ("Origin," Edition VI., page 298).); but + I should require strong evidence before believing that, in countries at + all well-known, so-called Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous strata + could be contemporaneous. You seem to me on the third point, viz., on + non-advancement of organisation, to have made a very strong case. I have + not knowledge or presumption enough to criticise what you say. I have said + what I could at page 363 of "Origin." It seems to me that the whole case + may be looked at from several points of view. I can add only one miserable + little special case of advancement in cirripedes. The suspicion crosses me + that if you endeavoured your best you would say more on the other side. Do + you know well Bronn in his last Entwickelung (or some such word) on this + subject? it seemed to me very well done. (567/4. Probably "Untersuchungen + uber die Entwickelungsgesetze der organischen Welt wahrend der + Bildungszeit unserer Erdoberflache," Stuttgart, 1858. Translated by W.S. + Dallas in the "Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist." Volume IV., page 81.) I hope + before you publish again you will read him again, to consider the case as + if you were a judge in a court of appeal; it is a very important subject. + I can say nothing against your side, but I have an "inner consciousness" + (a highly philosophical style of arguing!) that something could be said + against you; for I cannot help hoping that you are not quite as right as + you seem to be. Finally, I cannot tell why, but when I finished your + Address I felt convinced that many would infer that you were dead against + change of species, but I clearly saw that you were not. I am not very + well, so good-night, and excuse this horrid letter. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 568. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, June 30th {1866}. + </p> + <p> + I have heard from Sulivan (who, poor fellow, gives a very bad account of + his own health) about the fossils (568/1. In a letter to Huxley (June 4th, + 1866) Darwin wrote: "Admiral Sulivan several years ago discovered an + astonishingly rich accumulation of fossil bones not far from the Straits + {of Magellan}...During many years it has seemed to me extremely desirable + that these should be collected; and here is an excellent opportunity.")... + The place is Gallegos, on the S. coast of Patagonia. Sulivan says that in + the course of two or three days all the boats in the ship could be filled + twice over; but to get good specimens out of the hardish rock two or three + weeks would be requisite. It would be a grand haul for Palaeontology. I + have been thinking over your lecture. (568/2. A lecture on "Insular + Floras" given at the British Association meeting at Nottingham, August + 27th, 1866, published in the "Gard. Chron." 1867.) Will it not be possible + to give enlarged drawings of some leading forms of trees? You will, of + course, have a large map, and George tells me that he saw at Sir H. + James', at Southampton, a map of the world on a new principle, as seen + from within, so that almost 4/5ths of the globe was shown at once on a + large scale. Would it not be worth while to borrow one of these from Sir + H. James as a curiosity to hang up? + </p> + <p> + Remember you are to come here before Nottingham. I have almost finished + the last number of H. Spencer, and am astonished at its prodigality of + original thought. But the reflection constantly recurred to me that each + suggestion, to be of real value to science, would require years of work. + It is also very unsatisfactory, the impossibility of conjecturing where + direct action of external circumstances begins and ends—as he + candidly owns in discussing the production of woody tissue in the trunks + of trees on the one hand, and on the other in spines and the shells of + nuts. I shall like to hear what you think of this number when we meet. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 569. TO A. GAUDRY. Down, November 17th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + On my return home after a short absence I found your note of Nov. 9th, and + your magnificent work on the fossil animals of Attica. (569/1. The + "Geologie de l'Attique," 2 volumes 4to, 1862-7, is the only work of + Gaudry's of this date in Mr. Darwin's library.) I assure you that I feel + very grateful for your generosity, and for the honour which you have thus + conferred on me. I know well, from what I have already read of extracts, + that I shall find your work a perfect mine of wealth. One long passage + which Sir C. Lyell quotes from you in the 10th and last edition of the + "Principles of Geology" is one of the most striking which I have ever read + on the affiliation of species. (569/2. The quotation in Lyell's + "Principles," Edition X., Volume II., page 484, is from M. Gaudry's + "Animaux Fossiles de Pikermi," 1866, page 34:— + </p> + <p> + "In how different a light does the question of the nature of species now + present itself to us from that in which it appeared only twenty years ago, + before we had studied the fossil remains of Greece and the allied forms of + other countries. How clearly do these fossil relics point to the idea that + species, genera, families, and orders now so distinct have had common + ancestors. The more we advance and fill up the gaps, the more we feel + persuaded that the remaining voids exist rather in our knowledge than in + nature. A few blows of the pickaxe at the foot of the Pyrenees, of the + Himalaya, of Mount Pentelicus in Greece, a few diggings in the sandpits of + Eppelsheim, or in the Mauvaises Terres of Nebraska, have revealed to us + the closest connecting links between forms which seemed before so widely + separated. How much closer will these links be drawn when Palaeontology + shall have escaped from its cradle!") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 570. A. SEDGWICK TO CHARLES DARWIN. + </p> + <p> + (570/1. In May, 1870, Darwin "went to the Bull Hotel, Cambridge, to see + the boys, and for a little rest and enjoyment." (570/2. See "Life and + Letters," III., 125.) The following letter was received after his return + to Down.) + </p> + <p> + Trinity College, Cambridge, May 30th, 1870. + </p> + <p> + My dear Darwin, + </p> + <p> + Your very kind letter surprised me. Not that I was surprised at the + pleasant and very welcome feeling with which it was written. But I could + not make out what I had done to deserve the praise of "extraordinary + kindness to yourself and family." I would most willingly have done my best + to promote the objects of your visit, but you gave me no opportunity of + doing so. I was truly grieved to find that my joy at seeing you again was + almost too robust for your state of nerves, and that my society, after a + little while, became oppressive to you. But I do trust that your Cambridge + visit has done you no constitutional harm; nay, rather that it has done + you some good. I only speak honest truth when I say that I was overflowing + with joy when I saw you, and saw you in the midst of a dear family party, + and solaced at every turn by the loving care of a dear wife and daughters. + How different from my position—that of a very old man, living in + cheerless solitude! May god help and cheer you all with the comfort of + hopeful hearts—you and your wife, and your sons and daughters! + </p> + <p> + You were talking about my style of writing,—I send you my last + specimen, and it will probably continue to be my last. It is the + continuation of a former pamphlet of which I have not one spare copy. I do + not ask you to read it. It is addressed to the old people in my native + Dale of Dent, on the outskirts of Westmorland. While standing at the door + of the old vicarage, I can see down the valley the Lake mountains—Hill + Bell at the head of Windermere, about twenty miles off. On Thursday next + (D.V.) I am to start for Dent, which I have not visited for full two + years. Two years ago I could walk three or four miles with comfort. Now, + alas! I can only hobble about on my stick. + </p> + <p> + I remain your true-hearted old friend A. Sedgwick. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 571. TO C. LYELL. Down, September 3rd {1874}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your very kind and interesting letter. I was glad to hear + at Southampton from Miss Heathcote a good account of your health and + strength. + </p> + <p> + With respect to the great subject to which you refer in your P.S., I + always try to banish it from my mind as insoluble; but if I were + circumstanced as you are, no doubt it would recur in the dead of the night + with painful force. Many persons seem to make themselves quite easy about + immortality (571/1. See "Life and Letters," I., page 312.) and the + existence of a personal God, by intuition; and I suppose that I must + differ from such persons, for I do not feel any innate conviction on any + such points. + </p> + <p> + We returned home about ten days ago from Southampton, and I enjoyed my + holiday, which did me much good. But already I am much fatigued by + microscope and experimental work with insect-eating plants. + </p> + <p> + When at Southampton I was greatly interested by looking at the odd gravel + deposits near at hand, and speculating about their formation. You once + told me something about them, but I forget what; and I think that + Prestwich has written on the superficial deposits on the south coasts, and + I must find out his paper and read it. (571/2. Prof. Prestwich contributed + several papers to the Geological Society on the Superficial Deposits of + the South of England.) + </p> + <p> + From what I have seen of Mr. Judd's papers I have thought that he would + rank amongst the few leading British geologists. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 572. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (572/1. The following letter was written before Mr. Darwin knew that Sir + Charles Lyell was to be buried in Westminster Abbey, a memorial which + thoroughly satisfied him. See "Life and Letters," III., 197.) + </p> + <p> + Down, February 23rd, 1875. + </p> + <p> + I have just heard from Miss Buckley of Lyell's death. I have long felt + opposed to the present rage for testimonials; but when I think how Lyell + revolutionised Geology, and aided in the progress of so many other + branches of science, I wish that something could be done in his honour. On + the other hand it seems to me that a poor testimonial would be worse than + none; and testimonials seem to succeed only when a man has been known and + loved by many persons, as in the case of Falconer and Forbes. Now, I doubt + whether of late years any large number of scientific men did feel much + attachment towards Lyell; but on this head I am very ill fitted to judge. + I should like to hear some time what you think, and if anything is + proposed I should particularly wish to join in it. We have both lost as + good and as true a friend as ever lived. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 573. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (573/1. This letter shows the difficulty which the inscription for Sir + Charles Lyell's memorial gave his friends. The existing inscription is, + "Charles Lyell...Author of 'The Principles of Geology'...Throughout a long + and laborious life he sought the means of deciphering the fragmentary + records of the Earth's history in the patient investigation of the present + order of Nature, enlarging the boundaries of knowledge, and leaving on + Scientific thought an enduring influence..." + </p> + <p> + Down, June 21st {1876}. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry for you about the inscription, which has almost burst me. We + think there are too many plurals in yours, and when read aloud it hisses + like a goose. I think the omission of some words makes it much stronger. + "World" (573/2. The suggested sentence runs: "he gave to the world the + results of his labour, etc.") is much stronger and truer than "public." As + Lyell wrote various other books and memoirs, I have some little doubt + about the "Principles of Geology." People here do not like your "enduring + value": it sounds almost an anticlimax. They do not much like my "last (or + endure) as long as science lasts." If one reads a sentence often enough, + it always becomes odious. + </p> + <p> + God help you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 574. TO OSWALD HEER. Down, March 8th {1875}. + </p> + <p> + I thank you for your very kind and deeply interesting letter of March 1st, + received yesterday, and for the present of your work, which no doubt I + shall soon receive from Dr. Hooker. (574/1. "Flora Fossilis Arctica," + Volume III., 1874, sent by Prof. Heer through Sir Joseph Hooker.) The + sudden appearance of so many Dicotyledons in the Upper Chalk appears to me + a most perplexing phenomenon to all who believe in any form of evolution, + especially to those who believe in extremely gradual evolution, to which + view I know that you are strongly opposed. (574/2. The volume referred to + contains a paper on the Cretaceous Flora of the Arctic Zone (Spitzbergen + and Greenland), in which several dicotyledonous plants are described. In a + letter written by Heer to Darwin the author speaks of a species of poplar + which he describes as the oldest Dicotyledon so far recorded.) The + presence of even one true Angiosperm in the Lower Chalk makes me inclined + to conjecture that plants of this great division must have been largely + developed in some isolated area, whence owing to geographical changes, + they at last succeeded in escaping, and spread quickly over the world. + (574/3. No satisfactory evidence has so far been brought forward of the + occurrence of fossil Angiosperms in pre-Cretaceous rocks. The origin of + the Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons remains one of the most difficult and + attractive problems of Palaeobotany.) (574/4. See Letters 395, 398.) But I + fully admit that this case is a great difficulty in the views which I + hold. Many as have been the wonderful discoveries in Geology during the + last half-century, I think none have exceeded in interest your results + with respect to the plants which formerly existed in the Arctic regions. + How I wish that similar collections could be made in the Southern + hemisphere, for instance in Kerguelen's Land. + </p> + <p> + The death of Sir C. Lyell is a great loss to science, but I do not think + to himself, for it was scarcely possible that he could have retained his + mental powers, and he would have suffered dreadfully from their loss. The + last time I saw him he was speaking with the most lively interest about + his last visit to you, and I was grieved to hear from him a very poor + account of your health. I have been working for some time on a special + subject, namely insectivorous plants. I do not know whether the subject + will interest you, but when my book is published I will have the pleasure + of sending you a copy. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your photograph, and enclose one of myself. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 574*. TO S.B.J. SKERTCHLY. March 2nd, 1878. + </p> + <p> + It is the greatest possible satisfaction to a man nearly at the close of + his career to believe that he has aided or stimulated an able and + energetic fellow-worker in the noble cause of science. Therefore your + letter has deeply gratified me. I am writing this away from home, as my + health failed, and I was forced to rest; and this will account for the + delay in answering your letter. No doubt on my return home I shall find + the memoir which you have kindly sent me. I shall read it with much + interest, as I have heard something of your work from Prof. Geikie, and + have read his admirable "Ice Age." (574/5. "The Great Ice Age and its + Relation to the Antiquity of Man": London, 1874. By James Geikie.) I have + noticed the criticisms on your work, but such opposition must be expected + by every one who draws fine grand conclusions, and such assuredly are + yours as abstracted in your letter. (574/6. Mr. S.B.J. Skertchly recorded + "the discovery of palaeolithic flint implements, mammalian bones, and + fresh-water shells in brick-earths below the Boulder-clay of East Anglia," + in a letter published in the "Geol. Mag." Volume III., page 476, 1876. + (See also "The Fenland, Past and Present." S.H. Miller and S.B.J. + Skertchly, London, 1878.) The conclusions of Mr. Skertchly as to the + pre-Glacial age of the flint implements were not accepted by some + authorities. (See correspondence in "Nature," Volume XV., 1877, pages 141, + 142.) We are indebted to Mr. Marr for calling our attention to Mr. + Skertchly's discovery.) What magnificent progress Geology has made within + my lifetime! + </p> + <p> + I shall have very great pleasure in sending you any of my books with my + autograph, but I really do not know which to send. It will cost you only + the trouble of a postcard to tell me which you would like, and it shall + soon be sent. Forgive this untidy note, as it is rather an effort to + write. + </p> + <p> + With all good wishes for your continued success in science and for your + happiness... + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2.X.—BOTANY, 1843-1871. + </h2> + <p> + 2.X.I. Miscellaneous.—2.X.II. Melastomaceae.—2.X.III. + Correspondence with John Scott. + </p> + <p> + 2.X.I. MISCELLANEOUS, 1843-1862. + </p> + <p> + (PLATE: SIR JOSEPH HOOKER, 1897. From a Photograph by W.J. Hawker + Wimborne. Walker & Cockerell, ph. sc.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 575. TO WILLIAM JACKSON HOOKER. Down, March 12th {1843}. + </p> + <p> + ...When you next write to your son, will you please remember me kindly to + him and give him my best thanks for his note? I had the pleasure yesterday + of reading a letter from him to Mr. Lyell of Kinnordy, full of the most + interesting details and descriptions, and written (if I may be permitted + to make such a criticism) in a particularly agreeable style. It leads me + anxiously to hope, even more than I did before, that he will publish some + separate natural history journal, and not allow (if it can be avoided) his + materials to be merged in another work. I am very glad to hear you talk of + inducing your son to publish an Antarctic Flora. I have long felt much + curiosity for some discussion on the general character of the flora of + Tierra del Fuego, that part of the globe farthest removed in latitude from + us. How interesting will be a strict comparison between the plants of + these regions and of Scotland and Shetland. I am sure I may speak on the + part of Prof. Henslow that all my collection (which gives a fair + representation of the Alpine flora of Tierra del Fuego and of Southern + Patagonia) will be joyfully laid at his disposal. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 576. TO JOHN LINDLEY. Down, Saturday {April 8th, 1843}. + </p> + <p> + I take the liberty, at the suggestion of Dr. Royle, of forwarding to you a + few seeds, which have been found under very singular circumstances. They + have been sent to me by Mr. W. Kemp, of Galashiels, a (partially educated) + man, of whose acuteness and accuracy of observation, from several + communications on geological subjects, I have a VERY HIGH opinion. He + found them in a layer under twenty-five feet thickness of white sand, + which seems to have been deposited on the margins of an anciently existing + lake. These seeds are not known to the provincial botanists of the + district. He states that some of them germinated in eight days after being + planted, and are now alive. Knowing the interest you took in some + raspberry seeds, mentioned, I remember, in one of your works, I hope you + will not think me troublesome in asking you to have these seeds carefully + planted, and in begging you so far to oblige me as to take the trouble to + inform me of the result. Dr. Daubeny has started for Spain, otherwise I + would have sent him some. Mr. Kemp is anxious to publish an account of his + discovery himself, so perhaps you will be so kind as to communicate the + result to me, and not to any periodical. The chance, though appearing so + impossible, of recovering a plant lost to any country if not to the world, + appears to me so very interesting, that I hope you will think it worth + while to have these seeds planted, and not returned to me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 577. TO C. LYELL. {September, 1843.} + </p> + <p> + An interesting fact has lately, as it were, passed through my hands. A Mr. + Kemp (almost a working man), who has written on "parallel roads," and has + corresponded with me (577/1. In a letter to Henslow, Darwin wrote: "If he + {Mr. Kemp} had not shown himself a most careful and ingenious observer, I + should have thought nothing of the case."), sent me in the spring some + seeds, with an account of the spot where they were found, namely, in a + layer at the bottom of a deep sand pit, near Melrose, above the level of + the river, and which sand pit he thinks must have been accumulated in a + lake, when the whole features of the valleys were different, ages ago; + since which whole barriers of rock, it appears, must have been worn down. + These seeds germinated freely, and I sent some to the Horticultural + Society, and Lindley writes to me that they turn out to be a common Rumex + and a species of Atriplex, which neither he nor Henslow (as I have since + heard) have ever seen, and certainly not a British plant! Does this not + look like a vivification of a fossil seed? It is not surprising, I think, + that seeds should last ten or twenty thousand {years}, as they have lasted + two or three {thousand years} in the Druidical mounds, and have + germinated. + </p> + <p> + When not building, I have been working at my volume on the volcanic + islands which we visited; it is almost ready for press...I hope you will + read my volume, for, if you don't, I cannot think of anyone else who will! + We have at last got our house and place tolerably comfortable, and I am + well satisfied with our anchorage for life. What an autumn we have had: + completely Chilian; here we have had not a drop of rain or a cloudy day + for a month. I am positively tired of the fine weather, and long for the + sight of mud almost as much as I did when in Peru. + </p> + <p> + (577/2. The vitality of seeds was a subject in which Darwin continued to + take an interest. In July, 1855 ("Life and Letters," II., page 65), he + wrote to Hooker: "A man told me the other day of, as I thought, a splendid + instance—and splendid it was, for according to his evidence the seed + came up alive out of the lower part of the London Clay! I disgusted him by + telling him that palms ought to have come up." + </p> + <p> + In the "Gardeners' Chronicle," 1855, page 758, appeared a notice (half a + column in length) by Darwin on the "Vitality of Seeds." The facts related + refer to the "Sand-walk" at Down; the wood was planted in 1846 on a piece + of pasture land laid down as grass in 1840. In 1855, on the soil being dug + in several places, Charlock (Brassica sinapistrum) sprang up freely. The + subject continued to interest him, and we find a note dated July 2nd, + 1874, in which Darwin recorded that forty-six plants of Charlock sprang up + in that year over a space (14 x 7 feet) which had been dug to a + considerable depth. In the course of the article in the "Gardeners' + Chronicle," Darwin remarks: "The power in seeds of retaining their + vitality when buried in damp soil may well be an element in preserving the + species, and therefore seeds may be specially endowed with this capacity; + whereas the power of retaining vitality in a dry artificial condition must + be an indirect, and in one sense accidental, quality in seeds of little or + no use to the species." + </p> + <p> + The point of view expressed in the letter to Lyell above given is of + interest in connection with the research of Horace Brown and F. Escombe + (577/3. "Proc. Roy. Soc." Volume LXII., page 160.) on the remarkable power + possessed by dry seeds of resistance to the temperature of liquid air. The + point of the experiment is that life continues at a temperature "below + that at which ordinary chemical reactions take place." A still more + striking demonstration of the fact has been made by Thiselton-Dyer and + Dewar who employed liquid hydrogen as a refrigerant. (577/4. Read before + the British Association (Dover), 1899, and published in the "Comptes + rendus," 1899, and in the "Proc. R. Soc." LXV., page 361, 1899.) The + connection between these facts and the dormancy of buried seeds is only + indirect; but inasmuch as the experiment proves the possibility of life + surviving a period in which no ordinary chemical change occurs, it is + clear that they help one to believe in greatly prolonged dormancy in + conditions which tend to check metabolism. For a discussion of the bearing + of their results on the life-problem, and for the literature of the + subject, reference should be made to the paper by Brown and Escombe. See + also C. de Candolle "On Latent Life in Seeds," "Brit. Assoc. Report," + 1896, page 1023 and F. Escombe, "Science Progress," Volume I., N.S., page + 585, 1897.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 578. TO J.S. HENSLOW. Down, Saturday {November 5th, 1843}. + </p> + <p> + I sent that weariful Atriplex to Babington, as I said I would, and he + tells me that he has reared a facsimile by sowing the seeds of A. + angustifolia in rich soil. He says he knows the A. hastata, and that it is + very different. Until your last note I had not heard that Mr. Kemp's seeds + had produced two Polygonums. He informs me he saw each plant bring up the + husk of the individual seed which he planted. I believe myself in his + accuracy, but I have written to advise him not to publish, for as he + collected only two kinds of seeds—and from them two Polygomuns, two + species or varieties of Atriplex and a Rumex have come up, any one would + say (as you suggested) that more probably all the seeds were in the soil, + than that seeds, which must have been buried for tens of thousands of + years, should retain their vitality. If the Atriplex had turned out new, + the evidence would indeed have been good. I regret this result of poor Mr. + Kemp's seeds, especially as I believed, from his statements and the + appearance of the seeds, that they did germinate, and I further have no + doubt that their antiquity must be immense. I am sorry also for the + trouble you have had. I heard the other day through a circuitous course + how you are astonishing all the clodhoppers in your whole part of the + county: and {what is} far more wonderful, as it was remarked to me, that + you had not, in doing this, aroused the envy of all the good surrounding + sleeping parsons. What good you must do to the present and all succeeding + generations. (578/1. For an account of Professor Henslow's management of + his parish of Hitcham see "Memoir of the Rev. John Stevens Henslow, M.A." + by the Rev. Leonard Jenyns: 8vo, London, 1862.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 579. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, November 14th {1855}. + </p> + <p> + You well know how credulous I am, and therefore you will not be surprised + at my believing the Raspberry story (579/1. This probably refers to + Lindley's story of the germination of raspberry seeds taken from a barrow + 1600 years old.): a very similar case is on record in Germany—viz., + seeds from a barrow; I have hardly zeal to translate it for the + "Gardeners' Chronicle." (579/2. "Vitality of Seeds," "Gardeners' + Chronicle," November 17th, 1855, page 758.) I do not go the whole hog—viz., + that sixty and two thousand years are all the same, for I should imagine + that some slight chemical change was always going on in a seed. Is this + not so? The discussions have stirred me up to send my very small case of + the charlock; but as it required some space to give all details, perhaps + Lindley will not insert; and if he does, you, you worse than an + unbelieving dog, will not, I know, believe. The reason I do not care to + try Mr. Bentham's plan is that I think it would be very troublesome, and + it would not, if I did not find seed, convince me myself that none were in + the earth, for I have found in my salting experiments that the earth + clings to the seeds, and the seeds are very difficult to find. Whether + washing would do I know not; a gold-washer would succeed, I daresay. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 580. TO W.J. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + Testimonial from Charles Darwin, Esq., M.A., F.R.S. and G.S., late + Naturalist to Captain Fitz-Roy's Voyage. + </p> + <p> + Down House, Farnborough, August 25th, 1845. + </p> + <p> + I have heard with much interest that your son, Dr. Hooker, is a candidate + for the Botanical Chair at Edinburgh. From my former attendance at that + University, I am aware how important a post it is for the advancement of + science, and I am therefore the more anxious for your son's success, from + my firm belief that no one will fulfil its duties with greater zeal or + ability. Since his return from the famous Antarctic expedition, I have + had, as you are aware, much communication with him, with respect to the + collections brought home by myself, and on other scientific subjects; and + I cannot express too strongly my admiration at the accuracy of his varied + knowledge, and at his powers of generalisation. From Dr. Hooker's + disposition, no one, in my opinion, is more fitted to communicate to + beginners a strong taste for those pursuits to which he is himself so + ardently devoted. For the sake of the advancement of Botany in all its + branches, your son has my warmest wishes for his success. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 581. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, Thursday {June 11th, 1847}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your kindness about the lodgings—it will be of great + use to me. (581/1. The British Association met at Oxford in 1847.) Please + let me know the address if Mr. Jacobson succeeds, for I think I shall go + on the 22nd and write previously to my lodgings. I have since had a + tempting invitation from Daubeny to meet Henslow, etc., but upon the + whole, I believe, lodgings will answer best, for then I shall have a + secure solitary retreat to rest in. + </p> + <p> + I am extremely glad I sent the Laburnum (581/2. This refers to the + celebrated form known as Cytisus Adami, of which a full account is given + in "Variation of Animals and Plants," Volume I., Edition II., page 413. It + has been supposed to be a seminal hybrid or graft-hybrid between C. + laburnum and C. purpureus. It is remarkable for bearing "on the same tree + tufts of dingy red, bright yellow, and purple flowers, borne on branches + having widely different leaves and manner of growth." In a paper by + Camuzet in the "Annales de la Societe d'Horticulture de Paris, XIII., + 1833, page 196, the author tries to show that Cytisus Adami is a seminal + hybrid between C. alpinus and C. laburnum. Fuchs ("Sitz. k. Akad. Wien," + Bd. 107) and Beijerinck ("K. Akad. Amsterdam," 1900) have spoken on + Cytisus Adami, but throw no light on the origin of the hybrid. See letters + to Jenner Weir in the present volume.): the raceme grew in centre of tree, + and had a most minute tuft of leaves, which presented no unusual + appearance: there is now on one raceme a terminal bilateral {i.e., half + yellow, half purple} flower, and on other raceme a single terminal pure + yellow and one adjoining bilateral flower. If you would like them I will + send them; otherwise I would keep them to see whether the bilateral + flowers will seed, for Herbert (581/3. Dean Herbert.) says the yellow ones + will. Herbert is wrong in thinking there are no somewhat analogous facts: + I can tell you some, when we meet. I know not whether botanists consider + each petal and stamen an individual; if so, there seems to me no especial + difficulty in the case, but if a flower-bud is a unit, are not their + flowers very strange? + </p> + <p> + I have seen Dillwyn in the "Gardeners' Chronicle," and was disgusted at + it, for I thought my bilateral flowers would have been a novelty for you. + </p> + <p> + (581/4. In a letter to Hooker, dated June 2nd, 1847, Darwin makes a bold + suggestion as to floral symmetry:—) + </p> + <p> + I send you a tuft of the quasi-hybrid Laburnum, with two kinds of flowers + on same stalk, and with what strikes {me} as very curious (though I know + it has been observed before), namely, a flower bilaterally different: one + other, I observe, has half its calyx purple. Is this not very curious, and + opposed to the morphological idea that a flower is a condensed continuous + spire of leaves? Does it not look as if flowers were normally bilateral; + just in the same way as we now know that the radiating star-fish, etc., + are bilateral? The case reminds me of those insects with exactly half + having secondary male characters and the other half female. + </p> + <p> + (581/5. It is interesting to note his change of view in later years. In an + undated letter written to Mr. Spencer, probably in 1873, he says: "With + respect to asymmetry in the flowers themselves, I remain contented, from + all that I have seen, with adaptation to visits of insects. There is, + however, another factor which it is likely enough may have come into play—viz., + the protection of the anthers and pollen from the injurious effects of + rain. I think so because several flowers inhabiting rainy countries, as A. + Kerner has lately shown, bend their heads down in rainy weather.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 582. TO J.D. HOOKER. June {1855}. + </p> + <p> + (582/1. This is an early example of Darwin's interest in the movements of + plants. Sleeping plants, as is well-known, may acquire a rhythmic movement + differing from their natural period, but the precise experiment here + described has not, as far as known, been carried out. See Pfeffer, + "Periodische Bewegungen," 1875, page 32.) + </p> + <p> + I thank you much for Hedysarum: I do hope it is not very precious, for, as + I told you, it is for probably a most foolish purpose. I read somewhere + that no plant closes its leaves so promptly in darkness, and I want to + cover it up daily for half an hour, and see if I can TEACH IT to close by + itself, or more easily than at first in darkness. I am rather puzzled + about its transmission, from not knowing how tender it is... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 583. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, July 19th, 1856. + </p> + <p> + I thank you warmly for the very kind manner with which you have taken my + request. It will, in truth, be a most important service to me; for it is + absolutely necessary that I should discuss single and double creations, as + a very crucial point on the general origin of species, and I must confess, + with the aid of all sorts of visionary hypotheses, a very hostile one. I + am delighted that you will take up possibility of crossing, no botanist + has done so, which I have long regretted, and I am glad to see that it was + one of A. De Candolle's desiderata. By the way, he is curiously + contradictory on subject. I am far from expecting that no cases of + apparent impossibility will be found; but certainly I expect that + ultimately they will disappear; for instance, Campanulaceae seems a strong + case, but now it is pretty clear that they must be liable to crossing. + Sweet-peas (583/1. In Lathyrus odoratus the absence of the proper insect + has been supposed to prevent crossing. See "Variation under + Domestication," Edition II., Volume II., page 68; but the explanation + there given for Pisum may probably apply to Lathyrus.), bee-orchis, and + perhaps hollyhocks are, at present, my greatest difficulties; and I find I + cannot experimentise by castrating sweet-peas, without doing fatal injury. + Formerly I felt most interest on this point as one chief means of + eliminating varieties; but I feel interest now in other ways. One general + fact {that} makes me believe in my doctrine (583/2. The doctrine which has + been epitomised as "Nature abhors perpetual self-fertilisation," and is + generally known as Knight's Law or the Knight-Darwin Law, is discussed by + Francis Darwin in "Nature," 1898. References are there given to the chief + passages in the "Origin of Species," etc., bearing on the question. See + Letter 19, Volume I.), is that NO terrestrial animal in which semen is + liquid is hermaphrodite except with mutual copulation; in terrestrial + plants in which the semen is dry there are many hermaphrodites. Indeed, I + do wish I lived at Kew, or at least so that I could see you oftener. To + return again to subject of crossing: I have been inclined to speculate so + far, as to think (my!?) notion (I say MY notion, but I think others have + put forward nearly or quite similar ideas) perhaps explains the frequent + separation of the sexes in trees, which I think I have heard remarked (and + in looking over the mono- and dioecious Linnean classes in Persoon seems + true) are very apt to have sexes separated; for {in} a tree having a vast + number of flowers on the same individual, or at least the same stock, each + flower, if only hermaphrodite on the common plan, would generally get its + own pollen or only pollen from another flower on same stock,—whereas + if the sexes were separate there would be a better chance of occasional + pollen from another distinct stock. I have thought of testing this in your + New Zealand Flora, but I have no standard of comparison, and I found + myself bothered by bushes. I should propound that some unknown causes had + favoured development of trees and bushes in New Zealand, and consequent on + this there had been a development of separation of sexes to prevent too + much intermarriage. I do not, of course, suppose the prevention of too + much intermarriage the only good of separation of sexes. But such wild + notions are not worth troubling you with the reading of. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 584. TO J.D. HOOKER. Moor Park {May 2nd, 1857}. + </p> + <p> + The most striking case, which I have stumbled on, on apparent, but false + relation of structure of plants to climate, seems to be Meyer and Doege's + remark that there is not one single, even moderately-sized, family at the + Cape of Good Hope which has not one or several species with heath-like + foliage; and when we consider this together with the number of true + heaths, any one would have been justified, had it not been for our own + British heaths (584/1. It is well known that plants with xerophytic + characteristics are not confined to dry climates; it is only necessary to + mention halophytes, alpine plants and certain epiphytes. The heaths of + Northern Europe are placed among the xerophytes by Warming ("Lehrbuch der + okologischen Pflanzengeographie," page 234, Berlin, 1896).), in saying + that heath-like foliage must stand in direct relation to a dry and + moderately warm climate. Does this not strike you as a good case of false + relation? I am so pleased with this place and the people here, that I am + greatly tempted to bring Etty here, for she has not, on the whole, derived + any benefit from Hastings. With thanks for your never failing assistance + to me... + </p> + <p> + I remember that you were surprised at number of seeds germinating in pond + mud. I tried a fourth pond, and took about as much mud (rather more than + in former case) as would fill a very large breakfast cup, and before I had + left home 118 plants had come up; how many more will be up on my return I + know not. This bears on chance of birds by their muddy feet transporting + fresh-water plants. + </p> + <p> + This would not be a bad dodge for a collector in country when plants were + not in seed, to collect and dry mud from ponds. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 585. TO ASA GRAY. Down {1857}. + </p> + <p> + I am very glad to hear that you think of discussing the relative ranges of + the identical and allied U. States and European species, when you have + time. Now this leads me to make a very audacious remark in opposition to + what I imagine Hooker has been writing (585/1. See Letter 338, Volume I.), + and to your own scientific conscience. I presume he has been urging you to + finish your great "Flora" before you do anything else. Now I would say it + is your duty to generalise as far as you safely can from your as yet + completed work. Undoubtedly careful discrimination of species is the + foundation of all good work; but I must look at such papers as yours in + Silliman as the fruit. As careful observation is far harder work than + generalisation, and still harder than speculation, do you not think it + very possible that it may be overvalued? It ought never to be forgotten + that the observer can generalise his own observations incomparably better + than any one else. How many astronomers have laboured their whole lives on + observations, and have not drawn a single conclusion; I think it is + Herschel who has remarked how much better it would be if they had paused + in their devoted work and seen what they could have deduced from their + work. So do pray look at this side of the question, and let us have + another paper or two like the last admirable ones. There, am I not an + audacious dog! + </p> + <p> + You ask about my doctrine which led me to expect that trees would tend to + have separate sexes. I am inclined to believe that no organic being exists + which perpetually self-fertilises itself. This will appear very wild, but + I can venture to say that if you were to read my observations on this + subject you would agree it is not so wild as it will at first appear to + you, from flowers said to be always fertilised in bud, etc. It is a long + subject, which I have attended to for eighteen years. Now, it occurred to + me that in a large tree with hermaphrodite flowers, we will say it would + be ten to one that it would be fertilised by the pollen of its own flower, + and a thousand or ten thousand to one that if crossed it would be crossed + only with pollen from another flower of same tree, which would be opposed + to my doctrine. Therefore, on the great principle of "Nature not lying," I + fully expected that trees would be apt to be dioecious or monoecious + (which, as pollen has to be carried from flower to flower every time, + would favour a cross from another individual of the same species), and so + it seems to be in Britain and New Zealand. Nor can the fact be explained + by certain families having this structure and chancing to be trees, for + the rule seems to hold both in genera and families, as well as in species. + </p> + <p> + I give you full permission to laugh your fill at this wild speculation; + and I do not pretend but what it may be chance which, in this case, has + led me apparently right. But I repeat that I feel sure that my doctrine + has more probability than at first it appears to have. If you had not + asked, I should not have written at such length, though I cannot give any + of my reasons. + </p> + <p> + The Leguminosae are my greatest opposers: yet if I were to trust to + observations on insects made during many years, I should fully expect + crosses to take place in them; but I cannot find that our garden varieties + ever cross each other. I do NOT ask you to take any trouble about it, but + if you should by chance come across any intelligent nurseryman, I wish you + would enquire whether they take any pains in raising the varieties of + papilionaceous plants apart to prevent crossing. (I have seen a statement + of naturally formed crossed Phaseoli near N. York.) The worst is that + nurserymen are apt to attribute all varieties to crossing. + </p> + <p> + Finally I incline to believe that every living being requires an + occasional cross with a distinct individual; and as trees from the mere + multitude of flowers offer an obstacle to this, I suspect this obstacle is + counteracted by tendency to have sexes separated. But I have forgotten to + say that my maximum difficulty is trees having papilionaceous flowers: + some of them, I know, have their keel-petals expanded when ready for + fertilisation; but Bentham does not believe that this is general: + nevertheless, on principle of nature not lying, I suspect that this will + turn out so, or that they are eminently sought by bees dusted with pollen. + Again I do NOT ask you to take trouble, but if strolling under your + Robinias when in full flower, just look at stamens and pistils whether + protruded and whether bees visit them. I must just mention a fact + mentioned to me the other day by Sir W. Macarthur, a clever Australian + gardener: viz., how odd it was that his Erythrinas in N.S. Wales would not + set a seed, without he imitated the movements of the petals which bees + cause. Well, as long as you live, you will never, after this fearfully + long note, ask me why I believe this or that. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 586. TO ASA GRAY. June 18th {1857}. + </p> + <p> + It has been extremely kind of you telling me about the trees: now with + your facts, and those from Britain, N. Zealand, and Tasmania I shall have + fair materials for judging. I am writing this away from home, but I think + your fraction of 95/132 is as large as in other cases, and is at least a + striking coincidence. + </p> + <p> + I thank you much for your remarks about my crossing notions, to which, I + may add, I was led by exactly the same idea as yours, viz., that crossing + must be one means of eliminating variation, and then I wished to make out + how far in animals and vegetables this was possible. Papilionaceous + flowers are almost dead floorers to me, and I cannot experimentise, as + castration alone often produces sterility. I am surprised at what you say + about Compositae and Gramineae. From what I have seen of latter they + seemed to me (and I have watched wheat, owing to what L. de Longchamps has + said on their fertilisation in bud) favourable for crossing; and from + Cassini's observations and Kolreuter's on the adhesive pollen, and C.C. + Sprengel's, I had concluded that the Compositae were eminently likely (I + am aware of the pistil brushing out pollen) to be crossed. (586/1. This is + an instance of the curious ignorance of the essential principles of floral + mechanism which was to be found even among learned and accomplished + botanists such as Gray, before the publication of the "Fertilisation of + Orchids." Even in 1863 we find Darwin explaining the meaning of dichogamy + in a letter to Gray.) If in some months' time you can find time to tell me + whether you have made any observations on the early fertilisation of + plants in these two orders, I should be very glad to hear, as it would + save me from great blunder. In several published remarks on this subject + in various genera it has seemed to me that the early fertilisation has + been inferred from the early shedding of the pollen, which I think is + clearly a false inference. Another cause, I should think, of the belief of + fertilisation in the bud, is the not-rare, abnormal, early maturity of the + pistil as described by Gartner. I have hitherto failed in meeting with + detailed accounts of regular and normal impregnation in the bud. + Podostemon and Subularia under water (and Leguminosae) seem and are + strongest cases against me, as far as I as yet know. I am so sorry that + you are so overwhelmed with work; it makes your VERY GREAT kindness to me + the more striking. + </p> + <p> + It is really pretty to see how effectual insects are. A short time ago I + found a female holly sixty measured yards from any other holly, and I cut + off some twigs and took by chance twenty stigmas, cut off their tops, and + put them under the microscope: there was pollen on every one, and in + profusion on most! weather cloudy and stormy and unfavourable, wind in + wrong direction to have brought any. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 587. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, January 12th {1858}. + </p> + <p> + I want to ask a question which will take you only few words to answer. It + bears on my former belief (and Asa Gray strongly expressed opinion) that + Papilionaceous flowers were fatal to my notion of there being no eternal + hermaphrodites. First let me say how evidence goes. You will remember my + facts going to show that kidney-beans require visits of bees to be + fertilised. This has been positively stated to be the case with Lathyrus + grandiflorus, and has been very partially verified by me. Sir W. Macarthur + tells me that Erythrina will hardly seed in Australia without the petals + are moved as if by bee. I have just met the statement that, with common + bean, when the humble-bees bite holes at the base of the flower, and + therefore cease visiting the mouth of the corolla, "hardly a bean will + set." But now comes a much more curious statement, that {in} 1842-43, + "since bees were established at Wellington (New Zealand), clover seeds all + over the settlement, WHICH IT DID NOT BEFORE." (587/1. See Letter 362, + Volume I.) The writer evidently has no idea what the connection can be. + Now I cannot help at once connecting this statement (and all the foregoing + statements in some degree support each other, as all have been advanced + without any sort of theory) with the remarkable absence of Papilionaceous + plants in N. Zealand. I see in your list Clianthus, Carmichaelia (four + species), a new genus, a shrub, and Edwardsia (is latter Papilionaceous?). + Now what I want to know is whether any of these have flowers as small as + clover; for if they have large flowers they may be visited by humble-bees, + which I think I remember do exist in New Zealand; and which humble-bees + would not visit the smaller clover. Even the very minute little yellow + clover in England has every flower visited and revisited by hive-bees, as + I know by experience. Would it not be a curious case of correlation if it + could be shown to be probable that herbaceous and small Leguminosae do not + exist because when {their} seeds {are} washed ashore (!!!) no small bees + exist there. Though this latter fact must be ascertained. I may not prove + anything, but does it not seem odd that so many quite independent facts, + or rather statements, should point all in one direction, viz., that bees + are necessary to the fertilisation of Papilionaceous flowers? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 588. TO JOHN LUBBOCK (Lord Avebury). Sunday {1859}. + </p> + <p> + Do you remember calling my attention to certain flowers in the truss of + Pelargoniums not being true, or not having the dark shade on the two upper + petals? I believe it was Lady Lubbock's observation. I find, as I + expected, it is always the central or sub-central flower; but what is far + more curious, the nectary, which is blended with the peduncle of the + flowers, gradually lessens and quite disappears (588/1. This fact is + mentioned in Maxwell Masters' "Vegetable Teratology" (Ray Society's + Publications), 1869, page 221.), as the dark shade on the two upper petals + disappears. Compare the stalk in the two enclosed parcels, in each of + which there is a perfect flower. + </p> + <p> + Now, if your gardener will not be outrageous, do look over your geraniums + and send me a few trusses, if you can find any, having the flowers without + the marks, sending me some perfect flowers on same truss. The case seems + to me rather a pretty one of correlation of growth; for the calyx also + becomes slightly modified in the flowers without marks. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 589. TO MAXWELL MASTERS. Down, April 7th {1860}. + </p> + <p> + I hope that you will excuse the liberty which I take in writing to you and + begging a favour. I have been very much interested by the abstract (too + brief) of your lecture at the Royal Institution. Many of the facts alluded + to are full of interest for me. But on one point I should be infinitely + obliged if you could procure me any information: namely, with respect to + sweet-peas. I am a great believer in the natural crossing of individuals + of the same species. But I have been assured by Mr. Cattell (589/1. The + nurseryman he generally dealt with.), of Westerham, that the several + varieties of sweet-pea can be raised close together for a number of years + without intercrossing. But on the other hand he stated that they go over + the beds, and pull up any false plant, which they very naturally attribute + to wrong seeds getting mixed in the lot. After many failures, I succeeded + in artificially crossing two varieties, and the offspring out of the same + pod, instead of being intermediate, was very nearly like the two pure + parents; yet in one, there was a trace of the cross, and these crossed + peas in the next generation showed still more plainly their mongrel + origin. Now, what I want to know is, whether there is much variation in + sweet-peas which might be owing to natural crosses. What I should expect + would be that they would keep true for many years, but that occasionally, + perhaps at long intervals, there would be a considerable amount of + crossing of the varieties grown close together. Can you give, or obtain + from your father, any information on this head, and allow me to quote your + authority? It would really be a very great favour and kindness. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 590. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (590/1. The genera Scaevola and Leschenaultia, to which the following + letter refers, belong to the Goodeniaceae (Goodenovieae, Bentham & + Hooker), an order allied to the Lobeliaceae, although the mechanism of + fertilisation resembles rather more nearly that of Campanula. The + characteristic feature of the flower in this order is the indusium, or, as + Delpino (590/2. Delpino's observations on Dichogamy, summarised by + Hildebrand in "Bot. Zeitung," 1870, page 634.) calls it, the "collecting + cup": this cuplike organ is a development of the style, and serves the + same function as the hairs on the style of Campanula, namely, that of + taking the pollen from the anthers and presenting it to the visiting + insect. During this stage the immature stigma is at the bottom of the cup, + and though surrounded by pollen is incapable of being pollinated. In most + genera of the order the pollen is pushed out of the indusium by the growth + of the style or stigma, very much as occurs in Lobelia or the Compositae. + Finally the style emerges from the indusium (590/3. According to Hamilton + ("Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales," X., 1895, page 361) the stigma rarely + grows beyond the indusium in Dampiera. In the same journal (1885-6, page + 157, and IX., 1894, page 201) Hamilton has given a number of interesting + observations on Goodenia, Scaevola, Selliera, Brunonia. There seem to be + mechanisms for cross- and also for self-fertilisation.), the stigmas open + out and are pollinated from younger flowers. The mechanism of + fertilisation has been described by F. Muller (590/4. In a letter to + Hildebrand published in the "Bot. Zeitung," 1868, page 113.), and more + completely by Delpino (loc. cit.). + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bentham wrote a paper (590/5. "Linn. Soc. Journal," 1869, page 203.) + on the style and stigma in the Goodenovieae, where he speaks of Mr. + Darwin's belief that fertilisation takes place outside the indusium. This + statement, which we imagine Mr. Bentham must have had from an unpublished + source, was incomprehensible to him as long as he confined his work to + such genera as Goodenia, Scaevola, Velleia, Coelogyne, in which the + mechanism is much as above described; but on examining Leschenaultia the + meaning became clear. Bentham writes of this genus:—"The indusium is + usually described as broadly two-lipped, without any distinct stigma. The + fact appears to be that the upper less prominent lip is stigmatic all + over, inside and out, with a transverse band of short glandular hairs at + its base outside, while the lower more prominent lip is smooth and + glabrous, or with a tuft of rigid hairs. Perhaps this lower lip and the + upper band of hairs are all that correspond to the indusium of other + genera; and the so-called upper lip, outside of which impregnation may + well take place, as observed by Mr. Darwin, must be regarded as the true + stigma." + </p> + <p> + Darwin's interest in the Goodeniaceae was due to the mechanism being + apparently fitted for self-fertilisation. In 1871 a writer signing himself + F.W.B. made a communication to the "Gardeners' Chronicle" (590/6. 1871, + page 1103.), in which he expresses himself as "agreeably surprised" to + find Leschenaultia adapted for self-fertilisation, or at least for + self-pollinisation. This led Darwin to publish a short note in the same + journal, in which he describes the penetration of pollen-tubes into the + viscid surface on the outside of the indusium. (590/7. 1871, page 1166. He + had previously written in the "Journal of Horticulture and Cottage + Gardener," May 28th, 1861, page 151:—"Leschenaultia formosa has + apparently the most effective contrivance to prevent the stigma of one + flower ever receiving a grain of pollen from another flower; for the + pollen is shed in the early bud, and is there shut up round the stigma + within a cup or indusium. But some observations led me to suspect that + nevertheless insect agency here comes into play; for I found by holding a + camel-hair pencil parallel to the pistil, and moving it as if it were a + bee going to suck the nectar, the straggling hairs of the brush opened the + lip of the indusium, entered it, stirred up the pollen, and brought out + some grains. I did this to five flowers, and marked them. These five + flowers all set pods; whereas only two other pods set on the whole plant, + though covered with innumerable flowers...I wrote to Mr. James Drummond, + at Swan River in Australia,...and he soon wrote to me that he had seen a + bee cleverly opening the indusium and extracting pollen.") He also + describes how a brush, pushed into the flower in imitation of an insect, + presses "against the slightly projecting lower lip of the indusium, opens + it, and some of the hairs enter and become smeared with pollen." The yield + of pollen is therefore differently arranged in Leschenaultia; for in the + more typical genera it depends on the growth of the style inside the + indusium. Delpino, however (see Hildebrand's version, loc. cit.), + describes a similar opening of the cup produced by pressure on the hairs + in some genera of the order.) + </p> + <p> + Down, June 7th {1860}. + </p> + <p> + Best and most beloved of men, I supplicate and entreat you to observe one + point for me. Remember that the Goodeniaceae have weighed like an incubus + for years on my soul. It relates to Scaevola microcarpa. I find that in + bud the indusium collects all the pollen splendidly, but, differently from + Leschenaultia, cannot be afterwards easily opened. Further, I find that at + an early stage, when the flower first opens, a boat-shaped stigma lies at + the bottom of the indusium, and further that this stigma, after the flower + has some time expanded, grows very rapidly, when the plant is kept hot, + and pushes out of the indusium a mass of pollen; and at same time two + horns project at the corners of the indusium. Now the appearance of these + horns makes me suppose that these are the stigmatic surfaces. Will you + look to this? for if they be by the relative position of the parts (with + indusium and stigma bent at right angles to style) {I am led to think} + that an insect entering a flower could not fail to have {its} whole back + (at the period when, as I have seen, a whole mass of pollen is pushed out) + covered with pollen, which would almost certainly get rubbed on the two + horns. Indeed, I doubt whether, without this aid, pollen would get on to + the horns. What interests me in the case is the analogy in result with the + Lobelia, but by very different means. In Lobelia the stigma, before it is + mature, pushes by its circular brush of hairs the pollen out of the + conjoined anthers; here the indusium collects pollen, and then the growth + of the stigma pushes it out. In the course of about 1 1/2 hour, I found an + indusium with hairs on the outer edge perfectly clogged with pollen, and + horns protruded, which before the 1 1/2 hour had not one grain of pollen + outside the indusium, and no trace of protruding horns. So you will see + how I wish to know whether the horns are the true stigmatic surfaces. I + would try the case experimentally by putting pollen on the horns, but my + greenhouse is so cold, and my plant so small, and in such a little pot, + that I suppose it would not seed... + </p> + <p> + The little length of stigmatic horns at the moment when pollen is forced + out of the indusium, compared to what they ultimately attain, makes me + fancy that they are not then mature or ready, and if so, as in Lobelia, + each flower must be fertilised by pollen from another and earlier flower. + </p> + <p> + How curious that the indusium should first so cleverly collect pollen and + then afterwards push it out! Yet how closely analogous to Campanula + brushing pollen out of the anther and retaining it on hairs till the + stigma is ready. I am going to try whether Campanula sets seed without + insect agency. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 591. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (591/1. The following letters are given here rather than in chronological + order, as bearing on the Leschenaultia problem. The latter part of Letter + 591 refers to the cleistogamic flowers of Viola.) + </p> + <p> + Down, May 1st {1862}. + </p> + <p> + If you can screw out time, do look at the stigma of the blue Leschenaultia + biloba. I have just examined a large bud with the indusium not yet closed, + and it seems to me certain that there is no stigma within. The case would + be very important for me, and I do not like to trust solely to myself. I + have been impregnating flowers, but it is rather difficult... + </p> + <p> + I have just looked again at Viola canina. The case is odder: only 2 + stamens which embrace the stigma have pollen; the 3 other stamens have no + anther-cells and no pollen. These 2 fertile anthers are of different shape + from the 3 sterile others, and the scale representing the lower lip is + larger and differently shaped from the 4 other scales representing 4 other + petals. + </p> + <p> + In V. odorata (single flower) all five stamens produce pollen. But I + daresay all this is known. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 592. TO J.D. HOOKER. November 3rd {1862}. + </p> + <p> + Do you remember the scarlet Leschenaultia formosa with the sticky margin + outside the indusium? Well, this is the stigma—at least, I find the + pollen-tubes here penetrate and nowhere else. What a joke it would be if + the stigma is always exterior, and this by far the greatest difficulty in + my crossing notions should turn out a case eminently requiring insect aid, + and consequently almost inevitably ensuring crossing. By the way, have you + any other Goodeniaceae which you could lend me, besides Leschenaultia and + Scaevola, of which I have seen enough? + </p> + <p> + I had a long letter the other day from Crocker of Chichester; he has the + real spirit of an experimentalist, but has not done much this summer. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 593. TO F. MULLER. Down, April 9th and 15th {1866}. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged by your letter of February 13th, abounding with so + many highly interesting facts. Your account of the Rubiaceous plant is one + of the most extraordinary that I have ever read, and I am glad you are + going to publish it. I have long wished some one to observe the + fertilisation of Scaevola, and you must permit me to tell you what I have + observed. First, for the allied genus of Leschenaultia: utterly + disbelieving that it fertilises itself, I introduced a camel-hair brush + into the flower in the same way as a bee would enter, and I found that the + flowers were thus fertilised, which never otherwise happens; I then + searched for the stigma, and found it outside the indusium with the + pollen-tubes penetrating it; and I convinced Dr. Hooker that botanists + were quite wrong in supposing that the stigma lay inside the indusium. In + Scaevola microcarpa the structure is very different, for the immature + stigma lies at the base within the indusium, and as the stigma grows it + pushes the pollen out of the indusium, and it then clings to the hairs + which fringe the tips of the indusium; and when an insect enters the + flower, the pollen (as I have seen) is swept from these long hairs on to + the insect's back. The stigma continues to grow, but is not apparently + ready for impregnation until it is developed into two long protruding + horns, at which period all the pollen has been pushed out of the indusium. + But my observations are here at fault, for I did not observe the + penetration of the pollen-tubes. The case is almost parallel with that of + Lobelia. Now, I hope you will get two plants of Scaevola, and protect one + from insects, leaving the other uncovered, and observe the results, both + in the number of capsules produced, and in the average number of seeds in + each. It would be well to fertilise half a dozen flowers under the net, to + prove that the cover is not injurious to fertility. + </p> + <p> + With respect to your case of Aristolochia, I think further observation + would convince you that it is not fertilised only by larvae, for in a + nearly parallel case of an Arum and a Aristolochia, I found that insects + flew from flower to flower. I would suggest to you to observe any cases of + flowers which catch insects by their probosces, as occurs with some of the + Apocyneae (593/1. Probably Asclepiadeae. See H. Muller, "Fertilisation of + Flowers," page 396.); I have never been able to conceive for what purpose + (if any) this is effected; at the same time, if I tempt you to neglect + your zoological work for these miscellaneous observations I shall be + guilty of a great crime. + </p> + <p> + To return for a moment to the indusium: how curious it is that the pollen + should be thus collected in a special receptacle, afterwards to be swept + out by insects' agency! + </p> + <p> + I am surprised at what you tell me about the fewness of the flowers of + your native orchids which produce seed-capsules. What a contrast with our + temperate European species, with the exception of some species of Ophrys!—I + now know of three or four cases of self-fertilising orchids, but all these + are provided with means for an occasional cross. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry to say Dr. Cruger is dead from a fever. + </p> + <p> + I received yesterday your paper in the "Botanische Zeitung" on the wood of + climbing plants. (593/2. Fritz Muller, "Ueber das Holz einiger um Desterro + wachsenden Kletterpflanzen." "Botanische Zeitung," 1866, pages 57, 65.) I + have read as yet only your very interesting and curious remarks on the + subject as bearing on the change of species; you have pleased me by the + very high compliments which you pay to my paper. I have been at work since + March 1st on a new English edition (593/3. The 4th Edition.) of my + "Origin," of which when published I will send you a copy. I have much + regretted the time it has cost me, as it has stopped my other work. On the + other hand, it will be useful for a new third German edition, which is now + wanted. I have corrected it largely, and added some discussions, but not + nearly so much as I wished to do, for, being able to work only two hours + daily, I feared I should never get it finished. I have taken some facts + and views from your work "Fur Darwin"; but not one quarter of what I + should like to have quoted. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 594. TO A.G. MORE. Down, June 24th, 1860. + </p> + <p> + I hope that you will forgive the liberty which I take in writing to you + and requesting a favour. Mr. H.C. Watson has given me your address, and + has told me that he thought that you would be willing to oblige me. Will + you please to read the enclosed, and then you will understand what I wish + observed with respect to the bee-orchis. (594/1. Ophrys apifera.) What I + especially wish, from information which I have received since publishing + the enclosed, is that the state of the pollen-masses should be noted in + flowers just beginning to wither, in a district where the bee-orchis is + extremely common. I have been assured that in parts of Isle of Wight, + viz., Freshwater Gate, numbers occur almost crowded together: whether + anything of this kind occurs in your vicinity I know not; but, if in your + power, I should be infinitely obliged for any information. As I am + writing, I will venture to mention another wish which I have: namely, to + examine fresh flowers and buds of the Aceras, Spiranthes, marsh Epipactis, + and any other rare orchis. The point which I wish to examine is really + very curious, but it would take too long space to explain. Could you + oblige me by taking the great trouble to send me in an old tin canister + any of these orchids, permitting me, of course, to repay postage? It would + be a great kindness, but perhaps I am unreasonable to make such a request. + If you will inform me whether you have leisure so far to oblige me, I + would tell you my movements, for on account of my own health and that of + my daughter, I shall be on the move for the next two or three weeks. + </p> + <p> + I am sure I have much cause to apologise for the liberty which I have + taken... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 595. TO A.G. MORE. Down, August 3rd, 1860. + </p> + <p> + I thank you most sincerely for sending me the Epipactis {palustris}. You + can hardly imagine what an interesting morning's work you have given me, + as the rostellum exhibited a quite new modification of structure. It has + been extremely kind of you to take so very much trouble for me. Have you + looked at the pollen-masses of the bee-Ophrys? I do not know whether the + Epipactis grows near to your house: if it does, and any object takes you + to the place (pray do not for a moment think me so very unreasonable as to + ask you to go on purpose), would you be so kind {as} to watch the flowers + for a quarter of an hour, and mark whether any insects (and what?) visit + these flowers. + </p> + <p> + I should suppose they would crawl in by depressing the terminal portion of + the labellum; and that when within the flower this terminal portion would + resume its former position; and lastly, that the insect in crawling out + would not depress the labellum, but would crawl out at back of flower. + (595/1. The observations of Mr. William Darwin on Epipactis palustris + given in the "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., 1877, page 99, bear + on this point. The chief fertilisers are hive-bees, which are too big to + crawl into the flower. They cling to the labellum, and by depressing it + open up the entrance to the flower. Owing to the elasticity of the + labellum and its consequent tendency to spring up when released, the bees, + "as they left the flower, seemed to fly rather upwards." This agrees with + Darwin's conception of the mechanism of the flower as given in the first + edition of the Orchid book, 1862, page 100, although at that time he + imagined that the fertilising insect crawled into the flower. The extreme + flexibility and elasticity of the labellum was first observed by Mr. More + (see first edition, page 99). The description of the flower given in the + above letter to Mr. More is not quite clear; the reader is referred to the + "Fertilisation of Orchids," loc. cit.) An insect crawling out of a + recently opened flower would, I believe, have parts of the pollen-masses + adhering to the back or shoulder. I have seen this in Listera. How I + should like to watch the Epipactis. + </p> + <p> + If you can it any time send me Spiranthes or Aceras or O. ustulata, you + would complete your work of kindness. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—If you should visit the Epipactis again, would you gather a few + of the lower flowers which have been opened for some time and have begun + to wither a little, and observe whether pollen is well cleared out of + anther-case. I have been struck with surprise that in nearly all the lower + flowers sent by you, though much of the pollen has been removed, yet a + good deal of pollen is left wasted within the anthers. I observed + something of this kind in Cephalanthera grandiflora. But I fear that you + will think me an intolerable bore. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 596. TO A.G. MORE. Down, August 5th, 1860. + </p> + <p> + I am infinitely obliged for your most clearly stated observations on the + bee-orchis. It is now perfectly clear that something removes the + pollen-masses far more with you than in this neighbourhood. But I am + utterly puzzled about the foot-stalk being so often cut through. I should + suspect snails. I yesterday found thirty-nine flowers, and of them only + one pollen-mass in three flowers had been removed, and as these were + extremely much-withered flowers I am not quite sure of the truth of this. + The wind again is a new element of doubt. Your observations will aid me + extremely in coming to some conclusion. (596/1. Mr. More's observations on + the percentage of flowers in which the pollinia were absent are quoted in + "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition I., page 68.) I hope in a day or two + to receive some day-moths, on the probosces of which I am assured the + pollen-masses of the bee-orchis still adhere (596/2. He was doomed to + disappointment. On July 17th, 1861, he wrote to Mr. More:—"I found + the other day a lot of bee-Ophrys with the glands of the pollinia all in + their pouches. All facts point clearly to eternal self-fertilisation in + this species; yet I cannot swallow the bitter pill. Have you looked at any + this year?")... + </p> + <p> + I wrote yesterday to thank you for the Epipactis. For the chance of your + liking to look at what I have found: take a recently opened flower, drag + gently up the stigmatic surface almost any object (the side of a hooked + needle), and you will find the cap of the hemispherical rostellum comes + off with a touch, and being viscid on under-surface, clings to needle, and + as pollen-masses are already attached to the back of rostellum, the needle + drags out much pollen. But to do this, the curiously projecting and fleshy + summits of anther-cases must at some time be pushed back slightly. Now + when an insect's head gets into the flower, when the flap of the labellum + has closed by its elasticity, the insect would naturally creep out by the + back-side of the flower. And mark when the insect flies to another flower + with the pollen-masses adhering to it, if the flap of labellum did not + easily open and allow free ingress to the insect, it would surely rub off + the pollen on the upper petals, and so not leave it on stigma. It is to + know whether I have rightly interpreted the structure of this whole flower + that I am so curious to see how insects act. Small insects, I daresay, + would crawl in and out and do nothing. I hope that I shall not have + wearied you with these details. + </p> + <p> + If you would like to see a pretty and curious little sight, look to Orchis + pyramidalis, and you will see that the sticky glands are congenitally + united into a saddle-shaped organ. Remove this under microscope by pincers + applied to foot-stalk of pollen-mass, and look quickly at the spontaneous + movement of the saddle-shaped organs and see how beautifully adapted to + seize proboscis of moth. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 597. TO J.D. HOOKER December 4th {1860}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks about Apocynum and Meyen. + </p> + <p> + The latter I want about some strange movements in cells of Drosera, which + Meyen alone seems to have observed. (597/1. No observations of Meyen are + mentioned in "Insectivorous Plants.") It is very curious, but Trecul + disbelieves that Drosera really clasps flies! I should very much wish to + talk over Drosera with you. I did chloroform it, and the leaves which were + already expanded did not recover thirty seconds of exposure for three + days. I used the expression weight for the bit of hair which caused + movement and weighed 1/78000 of a grain; but I do not believe it is + weight, and what it is, I cannot after many experiments conjecture. + (597/2. The doubt here expressed as to whether the result is due to actual + weight is interesting in connection with Pfeffer's remarkable discovery + that a smooth object in contact with the gland produces no effect if the + plant is protected from all vibration; on an ordinary table the slight + shaking which reaches the plant is sufficient to make the body resting on + the gland tremble, and thus produce a series of varying pressures—under + these circumstances the gland is irritated, and the tentacle moves. See + Pfeffer, "Untersuchungen aus d. bot. Institut zu Tubingen," Volume I., + 1885, page 483; also "Insectivorous Plants," Edition II., page 22.) The + movement in this case does not depend on the chemical nature of substance. + Latterly I have tried experiments on single glands, and a microscopical + atom of raw meat causes such rapid movement that I could see it move like + hand of clock. In this case it is the nature of the object. It is + wonderful the rapidity of the absorption: in ten seconds weak solution of + carbonate of ammonia changes not the colour, but the state of contents + within the glands. In two minutes thirty seconds juice of meat has been + absorbed by gland and passed from cell to cell all down the pedicel (or + hair) of the gland, and caused the sap to pass from the cells on the upper + side of the pedicel to the lower side, and this causes the curvature of + the pedicel. I shall work away next summer when Drosera opens again, for I + am much interested in subject. After the glandular hairs have curved, the + oddest changes take place—viz., a segregation of the homogeneous + pink fluid and necessary slow movements in the thicker matter. By Jove, I + sometimes think Drosera is a disguised animal! You know that I always so + like telling you what I do, that you must forgive me scribbling on my + beloved Drosera. Farewell. I am so very glad that you are going to reform + your ways; I am sure that you would have injured your health seriously. + There is poor Dana has done actually nothing—cannot even write a + letter—for a year, and it is hoped that in another YEAR he may quite + recover. + </p> + <p> + After this homily, good night, my dear friend. Good heavens, I ought not + to scold you, but thank you, for writing so long and interesting a letter. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 598. TO E. CRESY. Down, December 12th {1860?}. + </p> + <p> + After writing out the greater part of my paper on Drosera, I thought of so + many points to try, and I wished to re-test the basis of one large set of + experiments, namely, to feel still more sure than I am, that a drop of + plain water never produces any effect, that I have resolved to publish + nothing this year. For I found in the record of my daily experiments one + suspicious case. I must wait till next summer. It will be difficult to try + any solid substances containing nitrogen, such as ivory; for two quite + distinct causes excite the movement, namely, mechanical irritation and + presence of nitrogen. When a solid substance is placed on leaf it becomes + clasped, but is released sooner than when a nitrogenous solid is clasped; + yet it is difficult (except with raw meat and flies) to be sure of the + result, owing to differences in vigour of different plants. The last + experiments which I tried before my plants became too languid are very + curious, and were tried by putting microscopical atoms on the gland itself + of single hairs; and it is perfectly evident that an atom of human hair, + 1/76000 of a grain (as ascertained by weighing a length of hair) in + weight, causes conspicuous movement. I do not believe (for atoms of cotton + thread acted) it is the chemical nature; and some reasons make me doubt + whether it is actual weight; it is not the shadow; and I am at present, + after many experiments, confounded to know what the cause is. That these + atoms did really act and alter the state of the contents of all the cells + in the glandular hair, which moved, was perfectly clear. But I hope next + summer to make out a good deal more... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 599. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, May 14th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + I have been putting off writing from day to day, as I did not wish to + trouble you, till my wish for a little news will not let me rest... + </p> + <p> + I have no news to tell you, for I have had no interesting letters for some + time, and have not seen a soul. I have been going through the "Cottage + Gardener" of last year, on account chiefly of Beaton's articles (599/1. + Beaton was a regular contributor to the "Cottage Gardener," and wrote + various articles on cross breeding, etc., in 1861. One of these was in + reply to a letter published in the "Cottage Gardener," May 14th, 1861, + page 112, in which Darwin asked for information as to the Compositae and + the hollyhock being crossed by insect visitors. In the number for June + 8th, 1861, page 211, Darwin wrote on the variability of the central flower + of the carrot and the peloria of the central flower in Pelargonium. An + extract from a letter by Darwin on Leschenaultia, "Cottage Gardener," May + 28th, 1861, page 151, is given in Letter 590, note.); he strikes me as a + clever but d—d cock-sure man (as Lord Melbourne said), and I have + some doubts whether to be much trusted. I suspect he has never recorded + his experiment at the time with care. He has made me indignant by the way + he speaks of Gartner, evidently knowing nothing of his work. I mean to try + and pump him in the "Cottage Gardener," and shall perhaps defend Gartner. + He alludes to me occasionally, and I cannot tell with what spirit. He + speaks of "this Mr. Darwin" in one place as if I were a very noxious + animal. + </p> + <p> + Let me have a line about poor Henslow pretty soon. + </p> + <p> + (599/2. In a letter of May 18th, 1861, Darwin wrote again:—) + </p> + <p> + By the way, thanks about Beaton. I have now read more of his writings, and + one answer to me in "Cottage Gardener." I can plainly see that he is not + to be trusted. He does not well know his own subject of crossing. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 600. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (600/1. Part of this letter has been published in "Life and Letters," + III., page 265.) + </p> + <p> + 2, Hesketh Crescent, Torquay {1861}. + </p> + <p> + ...The beauty of the adaptation of parts seems to me unparalleled. I + should think or guess {that} waxy pollen was most differentiated. In + Cypripedium, which seems least modified, and a much exterminated group, + the grains are single. In all others, as far as I have seen, they are in + packets of four; and these packets cohere into many wedge-formed masses in + Orchis, into eight, four, and finally two. It seems curious that a flower + should exist which could, at most, fertilise only two other flowers, + seeing how abundant pollen generally is; this fact I look at as explaining + the perfection of the contrivance by which the pollen, so important from + its fewness, is carried from flower to flower. By the way, Cephalanthera + has single pollen-grains, but this seems to be a case of degradation, for + the rostellum is utterly aborted. Oddly, the columns of pollen are here + kept in place by very early penetration of pollen-tubes into the edge of + the stigma; nevertheless, it receives more pollen by insect agency. + Epithecia {Dichaea} has done me one good little turn. I often speculated + how the caudicle of Orchis had been formed. (600/2. The gradation here + suggested is thoroughly worked out in the "Fertilisation of Orchids," + Edition I., page 323, Edition II., page 257.) I had noticed slight clouds + in the substance half way down; I have now dissected them out, and I find + they are pollen-grains fairly embedded and useless. If you suppose the + pollen-grains to abort in the lower half of the pollinia of Epipactis, but + the parallel elastic threads to remain and cohere, you have the caudicle + of Orchis, and can understand the few embedded and functionless + pollen-grains. I must not look at any more exotic orchids: hearty thanks + for your offer. But if you would make one single observation for me on + Cypripedium, I should be glad. Asa Gray writes to me that the outside of + the pollen-masses is sticky in this genus; I find that the whole mass + consists of pollen-grains immersed in a sticky brownish thick fluid. You + could tell by a mere lens and penknife. If it is, as I find it, pollen + could not get on the stigma without insect aid. Cypripedium confounds me + much. I conjecture that drops of nectar are secreted by the surface of the + labellum beneath the anthers and in front of the stigma, and that the + shield over the anthers and the form of labellum is to compel insects to + insert their proboscis all round both organs. (600/3. This view was + afterwards given up.) It would be troublesome for you to look at this, as + it is always bothersome to catch the nectar secreting, and the cup of the + labellum gets filled with water by gardener's watering. + </p> + <p> + I have examined Listera ovata, cordata, and Neottia nidus avis: the pollen + is uniform; I suspect you must have seen some observation founded on a + mistake from the penetration and hardening of sticky fluid from the + rostellum, which does penetrate the pollen a little. + </p> + <p> + It is mere virtue which makes me not wish to examine more orchids; for I + like it far better than writing about varieties of cocks and hens and + ducks. Nevertheless, I have just been looking at Lindley's list in the + "Vegetable Kingdom," and I cannot resist one or two of his great division + of Arethuseae, which includes Vanilla. And as I know so well the Ophreae, + I should like (God forgive me) any one of the Satyriadae, Disidae and + Corycidae. + </p> + <p> + I fear my long lucubrations will have wearied you, but it has amused me to + write, so forgive me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 601. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (601/1. Part of the following letter is published in the "Life and + Letters," the remainder, with the omission of part bearing on the Glen Roy + problem, is now given as an example of the varied botanical assistance + Darwin received from Sir Joseph Hooker. For the part relating to Verbascum + see the "Variation of Animals and Plants," Edition II., 1875, Volume II., + page 83. The point is that the white and yellow flowered plants which + occur in two species of Verbascum are undoubted varieties, yet "the + sterility which results from the crossing of the differently coloured + varieties of the same species is fully as great as that which occurs in + many cases when distinct species are crossed." + </p> + <p> + The sterility of the long-styled form (B) of Linum grandiflorum, with its + own pollen is described in "Forms of Flowers," Edition II., page 87: his + conclusions on the short-styled form (A) differ from those in the present + letter.) + </p> + <p> + September 28th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + I am going to beg for help, and I will explain why I want it. + </p> + <p> + You offer Cypripedium; I should be very glad of a specimen, and of any + good-sized Vandeae, or indeed any orchids, for this reason: I never + thought of publishing separately, and therefore did not keep specimens in + spirits, and now I should be very glad of a few woodcuts to illustrate my + few remarks on exotic orchids. If you can send me any, send them by post + in a tin canister on middle of day of Saturday, October 5th, for Sowerby + will be here. + </p> + <p> + Secondly: Have you any white and yellow varieties of Verbascum which you + could give me, or propagate for me, or LEND me for a year? I have resolved + to try Gartner's wonderful and repeated statement, that pollen of white + and yellow varieties, whether used on the varieties or on DISTINCT + species, has different potency. I do not think any experiment can be more + important on the origin of species; for if he is correct we certainly have + what Huxley calls new physiological species arising. I should require + several species of Verbascum besides the white and yellow varieties of the + same species. It will be tiresome work, but if I can anyhow get the + plants, it shall be tried. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly: Can you give me seeds of any Rubiaceae of the sub-order + Cinchoneae, as Spermacoce, Diodia, Mitchella, Oldenlandia? Asa Gray says + they present two forms like Primula. I am sure that this subject is well + worth working out. I have just almost proved a very curious case in Linum + grandiflorum which presents two forms, A and B. Pollen of A is perfectly + fertile on stigma of A. But pollen of B is absolutely barren on its own + stigma; you might as well put so much flour on it. It astounded me to see + the stigmas of B purple with its own pollen; and then put a few grains of + similar-looking pollen of A on them, and the germen immediately and always + swelled; those not thus treated never swelling. + </p> + <p> + Fourthly: Can you give me any very hairy Saxifraga (for their functions) + {i.e. the functions of the hairs}? + </p> + <p> + I send you a resume of my requests, to save you trouble. Nor would I ask + for so much aid if I did not think all these points well worth trying to + investigate. + </p> + <p> + My dear old friend, a letter from you always does me a world of good. And, + the Lord have mercy on me, what a return I make. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 602. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, October 4th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + Will you have the kindness to read the enclosed, and look at the diagram. + Six words will answer my question. It is not an important point, but there + is to me an irresistible charm in trying to make out homologies. (602/1. + In 1880 he wrote to Mr. Bentham: "It was very kind of you to write to me + about the Orchideae, for it has pleased me to an extreme degree that I + could have been of the least use to you about the nature of the parts."—"Life + and Letters," III., page 264.) You know the membranous cup or clinandrum, + in many orchids, behind the stigma and rostellum: it is formed of a + membrane which unites the filament of the normal dorsal anther with the + edges of the pistil. The clinandrum is largely developed in Malaxis, and + is of considerable importance in retaining the pollinia, which as soon as + the flower opens are quite loose. + </p> + <p> + The appearance and similarity of the tissues, etc., at once gives + suspicion that the lateral membranes of the clinandrum are the two other + and rudimentary anthers, which in Orchis and Cephalanthera, etc., exist as + mere papillae, here developed and utilised. + </p> + <p> + Now for my question. Exactly in the middle of the filament of the normal + anther, and exactly in the middle of the lateral membrane of the + clinandrum, and running up to the same height, are quite similar bundles + of spiral vessels; ending upwards almost suddenly. Now is not this + structure a good argument that I interpret the homologies of the sides of + clinandrum rightly? (602/2. Though Robert Brown made use of the spiral + vessels of orchids, yet according to Eichler, "Bluthendiagramme," 1875, + Volume I., page 184, Darwin was the first to make substantial additions to + the conclusions deducible from the course of the vessels in relation to + the problem of the morphology of these plants. Eichler gives Darwin's + diagram side by side with that of Van Tieghem without attempting to decide + between the differences in detail by which they are characterised.) + </p> + <p> + I find that the great Bauer does not draw very correctly! (602/3. F. + Bauer, whom Pritzel calls "der grosste Pflanzenmaler." The reference is to + his "Illustrations of Orchidaceous Plants, with Notes and Prefatory + Remarks by John Lindley," London, 1830-38, Folio. See "Fertilisation of + Orchids," Edition II., page 82.) And, good Heavens, what a jumble he makes + on functions. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 603. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, October 22nd. {1861}. + </p> + <p> + Acropera is a beast,—stigma does not open, everything seems + contrived that it shall NOT be anyhow fertilised. There is something very + odd about it, which could only be made out by incessant watching on + several individual plants. + </p> + <p> + I never saw the very curious flower of Canna; I should say the pollen was + deposited where it is to prevent inevitable self-fertilisation. You have + no time to try the smallest experiment, else it would be worth while to + put pollen on some stigmas (supposing that it does not seed freely with + you). Anyhow, insects would probably carry pollen from flower to flower, + for Kurr states the tube formed by pistil, stamen and "nectarblatt" + secretes (I presume internally) much nectar. Thanks for sending me the + curious flower. + </p> + <p> + Now I want much some wisdom; though I must write at considerable length, + your answer may be very brief. + </p> + <p> + (FIGURE 8.—FLORAL DIAGRAM OF AN ORCHID. The "missing bundle" could + not be found in some species.) + </p> + <p> + In R. Brown's admirable paper in the "Linnean Transacts." (603/4. Volume + XVI., page 685.) he suggests (and Lindley cautiously agrees) that the + flower of orchids consists of five whorls, the inner whorl of the two + whorls of anthers being all rudimentary, and when the labellum presents + ridges, two or three of the anthers of both whorls {are} combined with it. + In the ovarium there are six bundles of vessels: R. Brown judged by + transverse sections. It occurred to me, after what you said, to trace the + vessels longitudinally, and I have succeeded well. Look at my diagram + {Figure 8} (which please return, for I am transported with admiration at + it), which shows the vessels which I have traced, one bundle to each of + fifteen theoretical organs, and no more. You will see the result is + nothing new, but it seems to confirm strongly R. Brown, for I have + succeeded (perhaps he did, but he does not say so) in tracing the vessels + belonging to each organ in front of each other to the same bundle in the + ovarium: thus the vessels going to the lower sepal, to the side of the + labellum, and to one stigma (when there are two) all distinctly branch + from one ovarian bundle. So in other cases, but I have not completely + traced (only seen) that going to the rostellum. But here comes my only + point of novelty: in all orchids as yet looked at (even one with so simple + a labellum as Gymnadenia and Malaxis) the vessels on the two sides of the + labellum are derived from the bundle which goes to the lower sepal, as in + the diagram. This leads me to conclude that the labellum is always a + compound organ. Now I want to know whether it is conceivable that the + vessels coming from one main bundle should penetrate an organ (the + labellum) which receives its vessels from another main bundle? Does it not + imply that all that part of the labellum which is supplied by vessels + coming from a lateral bundle must be part of a primordially distinct + organ, however closely the two may have become united? It is curious in + Gymnadenia to trace the middle anterior bundle in the ovarium: when it + comes to the orifice of the nectary it turns and runs right down it, then + comes up the opposite side and runs to the apex of the labellum, whence + each side of the nectary is supplied by vessels from the bundles, coming + from the lower sepals. Hence even the thin nectary is essentially, I + infer, tripartite; hence its tendency to bifurcation at its top. This view + of the labellum always consisting of three organs (I believe four when + thick, as in Mormodes, at base) seems to me to explain its great size and + tripartite form, compared with the other petals. Certainly, if I may trust + the vessels, the simple labellum of Gymnadenia consists of three organs + soldered together. Forgive me for writing at such length; a very brief + answer will suffice. I am desperately interested in the subject: the + destiny of the whole human race is as nothing to the course of vessels of + orchids... + </p> + <p> + What plant has the most complex single stigma and pistil? The most complex + I, in my ignorance, can think of is in Iris. I want to know whether + anything beats in modification the rostellum of Catasetum. To-morrow I + mean to be at Catasetum. Hurrah! What species is it? It is wonderfully + different from that which Veitch sent me, which was C. saccatum. + </p> + <p> + According to the vessels, an orchid flower consists of three sepals and + two petals free; and of a compound organ (its labellum), consisting of one + petal and of two (or three) modified anthers; and of a second compound + body consisting of three pistils, one normal anther, and two modified + anthers often forming the sides of the clinandrum. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 604. TO JOHN LINDLEY. + </p> + <p> + (604/1. It was in the autumn of 1861 that Darwin made up his mind to + publish his Orchid work as a book, rather than as a paper in the Linnean + Society's "Journal." (604/2. See "Life and Letters," III., page 266.) The + following letter shows that the new arrangement served as an incitement to + fresh work.) + </p> + <p> + Down, October 25th {1861?} + </p> + <p> + Mr. James Veitch has been most generous. I did not know that you had + spoken to him. If you see him pray say I am truly grateful; I dare not + write to a live Bishop or a Lady, but if I knew the address of "Rucker"? + and might use your name as introduction, I might write. I am half mad on + the subject. Hooker has sent me many exotics, but I stopped him, for I + thought I should make a fool of myself; but since I have determined to + publish I much regret it. + </p> + <p> + (FIGURE 9.—HABENARIA CHLORANTHA (Longitudinal course of bundles).) + </p> + <p> + (605/1. The three upper curved outlines, two of which passing through the + words "upper sepal," "upper petal," "lower sepal," were in red in the + original; for explanation see text.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 605. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (605/2. The following letter is of interest because it relates to one of + the two chief difficulties Darwin met with in working out the morphology + of the orchid flower. In the orchid book (605/3. Edition I., page 303.) he + wrote, "This anomaly {in Habenaria} is so far of importance, as it throws + some doubt on the view which I have taken of the labellum being always an + organ compounded of one petal and two petaloid stamens." That is to say, + it leaves it open for a critic to assert that the vessels which enter the + sides of the labellum are lateral vessels of the petal and do not + necessarily represent petaloid stamens. In the sequel he gives a + satisfactory answer to the supposed objector.) + </p> + <p> + Down, November 10th, {1861}. + </p> + <p> + For the love of God help me. I believe all my work (about a fortnight) is + useless. Look at this accursed diagram (Figure 9) of the butterfly-orchis + {Habenaria}, which I examined after writing to you yesterday, when I + thought all my work done. Some of the ducts of the upper sepal (605/4. + These would be described by modern morphologists as lower, not upper, + sepals, etc. Darwin was aware that he used these terms incorrectly.) and + upper petal run to the wrong bundles on the column. I have seen no such + case. + </p> + <p> + This case apparently shows that not the least reliance can be placed on + the course of ducts. I am sure of my facts. + </p> + <p> + There is great adhesion and extreme displacement of parts where the organs + spring from the top of the ovarium. Asa Gray says ducts are very early + developed, and it seems to me wonderful that they should pursue this + course. It may be said that the lateral ducts in the labellum running into + the antero-lateral ovarian bundle is no argument that the labellum + consists of three organs blended together. + </p> + <p> + In desperation (and from the curious way the base of upper petals are + soldered at basal edges) I fancied the real form of upper sepal, upper + petal and lower sepal might be as represented by red lines, and that there + had been an incredible amount of splitting of sepals and petals and + subsequent fusion. + </p> + <p> + This seems a monstrous notion, but I have just looked at Bauer's drawing + of allied Bonatea, and there is a degree of lobing of petals and sepals + which would account for anything. + </p> + <p> + Now could you spare me a dry flower out of your Herbarium of Bonatea + speciosa (605/5. See "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition I., page 304 + (note), where the resemblances between the anomalous vessels of Bonatea + and Habenaria are described. On November 14th, 1861, he wrote to Sir + Joseph: "You are a true friend in need. I can hardly bear to let the + Bonatea soak long enough."), that I might soak and look for ducts. If I + cannot explain the case of Habenaria all my work is smashed. I was a fool + ever to touch orchids. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 606. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, November 17th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + What two very interesting and useful letters you have sent me. You rather + astound me with respect to value of grounds of generalisation in the + morphology of plants. It reminds me that years ago I sent you a grass to + name, and your answer was, "It is certainly Festuca (so-and-so), but it + agrees as badly with the description as most plants do." I have often + laughed over this answer of a great botanist...Lindley, from whom I asked + for an orchid with a simple labellum, has most kindly sent me a lot of + what he marks "rare" and "rarissima" of peloric orchids, etc., but as they + are dried I know not whether they will be of use. He has been most kind, + and has suggested my writing to Lady D. Nevill, who has responded in a + wonderfully kind manner, and has sent a lot of treasures. But I must stop; + otherwise, by Jove, I shall be transformed into a botanist. I wish I had + been one; this morphology is surprisingly interesting. Looking to your + note, I may add that certainly the fifteen alternating bundles of spiral + vessels (mingled with odd beadlike vessels in some cases) are present in + many orchids. The inner whorl of anther ducts are oftenest aborted. I must + keep clear of Apostasia, though I have cast many a longing look at it in + Bauer. (606/1. Apostasia has two fertile anthers like Cypripedium. It is + placed by Engler and Prantl in the Apostasieae or Apostasiinae, among the + Orchideae, by others in a distinct but closely allied group.) + </p> + <p> + I hope I may be well enough to read my own paper on Thursday, but I have + been very seedy lately. (606/2. "On the two Forms, or Dimorphic Condition, + in the Species of the Genus Primula," "Linn. Soc. Journ." 1862. He did + read the paper, but it cost him the next day in bed. "Life and Letters," + III., page 299.) I see there is a paper at the Royal on the same night, + which will more concern you, on fossil plants of Bovey (606/3. Oswald + Heer, "The Fossil Flora of Bovey Tracey," "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1862, + page 1039.), so that I suppose I shall not have you; but you must read my + paper when published, as I shall very much like to hear what you think. It + seems to me a large field for experiment. I shall make use of my Orchid + little volume in illustrating modification of species doctrine, but I keep + very, very doubtful whether I am not doing a foolish action in publishing. + How I wish you would keep to your old intention and write a book on + plants. (606/4. Possibly a book similar to that described in Letter 696.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 607. TO G. BENTHAM. Down, November 26th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + Our notes have crossed on the road. I know it is an honour to have a paper + in the "Transactions," and I am much obliged to you for proposing it, but + I should greatly prefer to publish in the "Journal." Nor does this apply + exclusively to myself, for in old days at the Geological Society I always + protested against an abstract appearing when the paper itself might + appear. I abominate also the waste of time (and it would take me a day) in + making an abstract. If the referee on my paper should recommend it to + appear in the "Transactions," will you be so kind as to lay my earnest + request before the Council that it may be permitted to appear in the + "Journal?" + </p> + <p> + You must be very busy with your change of residence; but when you are + settled and have some leisure, perhaps you will be so kind as to give me + some cases of dimorphism, like that of Primula. Should you object to my + adding them to those given me by A. Gray? By the way, I heard from A. Gray + this morning, and he gives me two very curious cases in Boragineae. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 608. TO JOHN LINDLEY. + </p> + <p> + (608/1. In the following fragment occurs the earliest mention of Darwin's + work on the three sexual forms of Catasetum tridentatum. Sir R. Schomburgk + (608/2. "Trans. Linn. Soc." XVII., page 522.) described Catasetum + tridentatum, Monacanthus viridis and Myanthus barbatus occurring on a + single plant, but it remained for Darwin to make out that they are the + male, female and hermaphrodite forms of a single species. (608/3. + "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition I., page 236; Edition II., page 196.) + </p> + <p> + With regard to the species of Acropera (Gongora) (608/4. Acropera + Loddigesii = Gongora galeata: A. luteola = G. fusca ("Index Kewensis").) + he was wrong in his surmise. The apparent sterility seems to be explicable + by Hildebrand's discovery (608/5. "Bot. Zeitung," 1863 and 1865.) that in + some orchids the ovules are not developed until pollinisation has + occurred. (608/6. "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 172. See + Letter 633.)) + </p> + <p> + Down, December 15th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + I am so nearly ready for press that I will not ask for anything more; + unless, indeed, you stumbled on Mormodes in flower. As I am writing I will + just mention that I am convinced from the rudimentary state of the ovules, + and from the state of the stigma, that the whole plant of Acropera luteola + (and I believe A. Loddigesii) is male. Have you ever seen any form from + the same countries which could be the females? Of course no answer is + expected unless you have ever observed anything to bear on this. I may add + {judging from the} state of the ovules and of the pollen {that}:— + </p> + <p> + Catasetum tridentatum is male (and never seeds, according to Schomburgk, + whom you have accidentally misquoted in the "Vegetable Kingdom"). + Monacanthus viridis is female. Myanthus barbatus is the hermaphrodite form + of same species. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 609. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, December 18th {1861}. + </p> + <p> + Thanks for your note. I have not written for a long time, for I always + fancy, busy as you are, that my letters must be a bore; though I like + writing, and always enjoy your notes. I can sympathise with you about fear + of scarlet fever: to the day of my death I shall never forget all the + sickening fear about the other children, after our poor little baby died + of it. The "Genera Plantarum" must be a tremendous work, and no doubt very + valuable (such a book, odd as it may appear, would be very useful even to + me), but I cannot help being rather sorry at the length of time it must + take, because I cannot enter on and understand your work. Will you not be + puzzled when you come to the orchids? It seems to me orchids alone would + be work for a man's lifetime; I cannot somehow feel satisfied with + Lindley's classification; the Malaxeae and Epidendreae seem to me very + artificially separated. (609/1. Pfitzer (in the "Pflanzenfamilien") places + Epidendrum in the Laeliinae-Cattleyeae, Malaxis in the Liparidinae. He + states that Bentham united the Malaxideae and Epidendreae.) Not that I + have seen enough to form an opinion worth anything. + </p> + <p> + Your African plant seems to be a vegetable Ornithorhynchus, and indeed + much more than that. (609/2. See Sir J.D. Hooker, "On Welwitschia, a new + genus of Gnetaceae." "Linn. Soc. Trans." XXIV., 1862-3.) The more I read + about plants the more I get to feel that all phanerogams seem comparable + with one class, as lepidoptera, rather than with one kingdom, as the whole + insecta. (609/3. He wrote to Hooker (December 28th, 1861): "I wrote + carelessly about the value of phanerogams; what I was thinking of was that + the sub-groups seemed to blend so much more one into another than with + most classes of animals. I suspect crustacea would show more difference in + the extreme forms than phanerogams, but, as you say, it is wild + speculation. Yet it is very strange what difficulty botanists seem to find + in grouping the families together into masses.") + </p> + <p> + Thanks for your comforting sentence about the accursed ducts (accursed + though they be, I should like nothing better than to work at them in the + allied orders, if I had time). I shall be ready for press in three or four + weeks, and have got all my woodcuts drawn. I fear much that publishing + separately will prove a foolish job, but I do not care much, and the work + has greatly amused me. The Catasetum has not flowered yet! + </p> + <p> + In writing to Lindley about an orchid which he sent me, I told him a + little about Acropera, and in answer he suggests that Gongora may be its + female. He seems dreadfully busy, and I feel that I have more right to + kill you than to kill him; so can you send me one or at most two dried + flowers of Gongora? if you know the habitat of Acropera luteola, a Gongora + from the same country would be the best, but any true Gongora would do; if + its pollen should prove as rudimentary as that of Monacanthus relatively + to Catasetum, I think I could easily perceive it even in dried specimens + when well soaked. + </p> + <p> + I have picked a little out of Lecoq, but it is awful tedious hunting. + </p> + <p> + Bates is getting on with his natural history travels in one volume. + (609/4. H.W. Bates, the "Naturalist on the Amazons," 1863. See Volume I., + Letters 123, 148, also "Life and Letters," Volume II., page 381.) I have + read the first chapter in MS., and I think it will be an excellent book + and very well written; he argues, in a good and new way to me, that + tropical climate has very little direct relation to the gorgeous colouring + of insects (though of course he admits the tropics have a far greater + number of beautiful insects) by taking all the few genera common to + Britain and Amazonia, and he finds that the species proper to the latter + are not at all more beautiful. I wonder how this is in species of the same + restricted genera of plants. + </p> + <p> + If you can remember it, thank Bentham for getting my Primula paper printed + so quickly. I do enjoy getting a subject off one's hands completely. + </p> + <p> + I have now got dimorphism in structure in eight natural orders just like + Primula. Asa Gray sent me dried flowers of a capital case in Amsinkia + spectabilis, one of the Boragineae. I suppose you do not chance to have + the plant alive at Kew. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 610. TO A.G. MORE. Down, June 7th, 1862. + </p> + <p> + If you are well and have leisure, will you kindly give me one bit of + information: Does Ophrys arachnites occur in the Isle of Wight? or do the + intermediate forms, which are said to connect abroad this species and the + bee-orchis, ever there occur? + </p> + <p> + Some facts have led me to suspect that it might just be possible, though + improbable in the highest degree, that the bee {orchis} might be the + self-fertilising form of O. arachnites, which requires insects' aid, + something {in the same way} as we have self-fertilising flowers of the + violet and others requiring insects. I know the case is widely different, + as the bee is borne on a separate plant and is incomparably commoner. This + would remove the great anomaly of the bee being a perpetual + self-fertiliser. Certain Malpighiaceae for years produce only one of the + two forms. What has set my head going on this is receiving to-day a bee + having one alone of the best marked characters of O. arachnites. (610/1. + Ophrys arachnites is probably more nearly allied to O. aranifera than to + O. apifera. For a case somewhat analogous to that suggested see the + description of O. scolopax in "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., + page 52.) Pray forgive me troubling you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 611. TO G. BENTHAM. Down, June 22nd {1862?}. + </p> + <p> + Here is a piece of presumption! I must think that you are mistaken in + ranking Hab{enaria} chlorantha (611/1. In Hooker's "Students' Flora," + 1884, page 395, H. chlorantha is given as a subspecies of H. bifolia. Sir + J.D. Hooker adds that they are "according to Darwin, distinct, and require + different species of moths to fertilise them. They vary in the position + and distances of their anther-cells, but intermediates occur." See + "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 73.) as a variety of H. + bifolia; the pollen-masses and stigma differ more than in most of the best + species of Orchis. When I first examined them I remember telling Hooker + that moths would, I felt sure, fertilise them in a different manner; and I + have just had proof of this in a moth sent me with the pollinia (which can + be easily recognised) of H. chlorantha attached to its proboscis, instead + of to the sides of its face, as an H. bifolia. + </p> + <p> + Forgive me scribbling this way; but when a man gets on his hobby-horse he + always is run away with. Anyhow, nothing here requires any answer. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 612. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, {September} 14th {1862}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter is a mine of wealth, but first I must scold you: I cannot + abide to hear you abuse yourself, even in joke, and call yourself a stupid + dog. You, in fact, thus abuse me, because for long years I have looked up + to you as the man whose opinion I have valued more on any scientific + subject than any one else in the world. I continually marvel at what you + know, and at what you do. I have been looking at the "Genera" (612/1. + "Genera Plantarum," by Bentham and Hooker, Volume I., Part I., 1862.), and + of course cannot judge at all of its real value, but I can judge of the + amount of condensed facts under each family and genus. + </p> + <p> + I am glad you know my feeling of not being able to judge about one's own + work; but I suspect that you have been overworking. I should think you + could not give too much time to Wellwitchia (I spell it different every + time I write it) (612/2. "On Welwitschia," "Linn. Soc. Trans." {1862}, + XXIV., 1863.); at least I am sure in the animal kingdom monographs cannot + be too long on the osculant groups. + </p> + <p> + Hereafter I shall be excessively glad to read a paper about Aldrovanda + (612/3. See "Insectivorous Plants," page 321.), and am very much obliged + for reference. It is pretty to see how the caught flies support Drosera; + nothing else can live. + </p> + <p> + Thanks about plants with two kinds of anthers. I presume (if an included + flower was a Cassia) (612/4. Todd has described a species of Cassia with + an arrangement of stamens like the Melastomads. See Chapter 2.X.II.) that + Cassia is like lupines, but with some stamens still more rudimentary. If I + hear I will return the three Melastomads; I do not want them, and, indeed, + have cuttings. I am very low about them, and have wasted enormous labour + over them, and cannot yet get a glimpse of the meaning of the parts. I + wish I knew any botanical collector to whom I could apply for seeds in + their native land of any Heterocentron or Monochoetum; I have raised + plenty of seedlings from your plants, but I find in other cases that from + a homomorphic union one generally gets solely the parent form. Do you + chance to know of any botanical collector in Mexico or Peru? I must not + now indulge myself with looking after vessels and homologies. Some future + time I will indulge myself. By the way, some time I want to talk over the + alternation of organs in flowers with you, for I think I must have quite + misunderstood you that it was not explicable. + </p> + <p> + I found out the Verbascum case by pure accident, having transplanted one + for experiment, and finding it to my astonishment utterly sterile. I + formerly thought with you about rarity of natural hybrids, but I am + beginning to change: viz., oxlips (not quite proven), Verbascum, Cistus + (not quite proven), Aegilops triticoides (beautifully shown by Godron), + Weddell's and your orchids (612/5. For Verbascum see "Animals and Plants," + Edition II., Volume I., page 356; for Cistus, Ibid., Edition II., Volume + I., page 356, Volume II., page 122; for Aegilops, Ibid., Edition II., + Volume I., page 330, note.), and I daresay many others recorded. Your + letters are one of my greatest pleasures in life, but I earnestly beg you + never to write unless you feel somewhat inclined, for I know how hard you + work, as I work only in the morning it is different with me, and is only a + pleasant relaxation. You will never know how much I owe to you for your + constant kindness and encouragement. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 613. TO JOHN LUBBOCK (Lord Avebury). Cliff Cottage, Bournemouth, + Hants, September 2nd {1862}. + </p> + <p> + Hearty thanks for your note. I am so glad that your tour answered so + splendidly. My poor patients (613/1. Mrs. Darwin and one of her sons, both + recovering from scarlet fever.) got here yesterday, and are doing well, + and we have a second house for the well ones. I write now in great haste + to beg you to look (though I know how busy you are, but I cannot think of + any other naturalist who would be careful) at any field of common red + clover (if such a field is near you) and watch the hive-bees: probably (if + not too late) you will see some sucking at the mouth of the little flowers + and some few sucking at the base of the flowers, at holes bitten through + the corollas. All that you will see is that the bees put their heads deep + into the {flower} head and rout about. Now, if you see this, do for + Heaven's sake catch me some of each and put in spirits and keep them + separate. I am almost certain that they belong to two castes, with long + and short proboscids. This is so curious a point that it seems worth + making out. I cannot hear of a clover field near here. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 614. TO JOHN LUBBOCK (Lord Avebury). Cliff Cottage, Bournemouth, + Wednesday, September 3rd {1862}. + </p> + <p> + I beg a million pardons. Abuse me to any degree, but forgive me: it is all + an illusion (but almost excusable) about the bees. (614/1. H. Muller, + "Fertilisation of Flowers," page 186, describes hive-bees visiting + Trifolium pratense for the sake of the pollen. Darwin may perhaps have + supposed that these were the variety of bees whose proboscis was long + enough to reach the nectar. In "Cross and Self Fertilisation," page 361, + Darwin describes hive-bees apparently searching for a secretion on the + calyx. In the same passage in "Cross and Self Fertilisation" he quotes + Muller as stating that hive-bees obtain nectar from red clover by breaking + apart the petals. This seems to us a misinterpretation of the "Befruchtung + der Blumen," page 224.) I do so hope that you have not wasted any time + from my stupid blunder. I hate myself, I hate clover, and I hate bees. + </p> + <p> + (FIGURE 10.—DIAGRAM OF CRUCIFEROUS FLOWER. FIGURE 11.—DISSECTION + OF CRUCIFEROUS FLOWER. + </p> + <p> + Laid flat open, showing by dotted lines the course of spiral vessels in + all the organs; sepals and petals shown on one side alone, with the + stamens on one side above with course of vessels indicated, but not + prolonged. Near side of pistil with one spiral vessel cut away.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 615. TO J.D. HOOKER. Cliff Cottage, Bournemouth, September 11th, + 1862. + </p> + <p> + You once told me that Cruciferous flowers were anomalous in alternation of + parts, and had given rise to some theory of dedoublement. + </p> + <p> + Having nothing on earth to do here, I have dissected all the spiral + vessels in a flower, and instead of burning my diagrams {Figures 10 and + 11}, I send them to you, you miserable man. But mind, I do not want you to + send me a discussion, but just some time to say whether my notions are + rubbish, and then burn the diagrams. It seems to me that all parts + alternate beautifully by fours, on the hypothesis that two short stamens + of outer whorl are aborted (615/1. The view given by Darwin is (according + to Eichler) that previously held by Knuth, Wydler, Chatin, and others. + Eichler himself believes that the flower is dimerous, the four longer + stamens being produced by the doubling or splitting of the upper (i.e. + antero-posterior) pair of stamens. If this view is correct, and there are + good reasons for it, it throws much suspicion on the evidence afforded by + the course of vessels, for there is no trace of the common origin of the + longer stamens in the diagram (Figure 11). Again, if Eichler is right, the + four vessels shown in the section of the ovary are misleading. Darwin + afterwards gave a doubtful explanation of this, and concluded that the + ovary is dimerous. See Letter 616.); and this view is perhaps supported by + their being so few, only two sub-bundles in the two lateral main bundles, + where I imagine two short stamens have aborted, but I suppose there is + some valid objection against this notion. The course of the side vessels + in the sepals is curious, just like my difficulty in Habenaria. (615/2. + See Letter 605.) I am surprised at the four vessels in the ovarium. Can + this indicate four confluent pistils? anyhow, they are in the right + alternating position. The nectary within the base of the shorter stamens + seems to cause the end sepals apparently, but not really, to arise beneath + the lateral sepals. + </p> + <p> + I think you will understand my diagrams in five minutes, so forgive me for + bothering you. My writing this to you reminds me of a letter which I + received yesterday from Claparede, who helped the French translatress of + the "Origin" (615/3. The late Mlle. Royer.), and he tells me he had + difficulty in preventing her (who never looked at a bee's cell) from + altering my whole description, because she affirmed that an hexagonal + prism must have an hexagonal base! Almost everywhere in the "Origin," when + I express great doubt, she appends a note explaining the difficulty, or + saying that there is none whatever!! (615/4. See "Life and Letters," II., + page 387.) It is really curious to know what conceited people there are in + the world (people, for instance, after looking at one Cruciferous flower, + explain their homologies). + </p> + <p> + This is a nice, but most barren country, and I can find nothing to look + at. Even the brooks and ponds produce nothing. The country is like + Patagonia. my wife is almost well, thank God, and Leonard is wonderfully + improved ...Good God, what an illness scarlet fever is! The doctor feared + rheumatic fever for my wife, but she does not know her risk. It is now all + over. + </p> + <p> + (FIGURE 12.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 616. TO J.D. HOOKER. Cliff Cottage, Bournemouth, Thursday Evening + {September 18th, 1862}. + </p> + <p> + Thanks for your pleasant note, which told me much news, and upon the whole + good, of yourselves. You will be awfully busy for a time, but I write now + to say that if you think it really worth while to send me a few Dielytra, + or other Fumariaceous plant (which I have already tried in vain to find + here) in a little tin box, I will try and trace the vessels; but please + observe, I do not know that I shall have time, for I have just become + wonderfully interested in experimenting on Drosera with poisons, etc. If + you send any Fumariaceous plant, send if you can, also two or three single + balsams. After writing to you, I looked at vessels of ovary of a + sweet-pea, and from this and other cases I believe that in the ovary the + midrib vessel alone gives homologies, and that the vessels on the edge of + the carpel leaf often run into the wrong bundle, just like those on the + sides of the sepals. Hence I {suppose} in Crucifers that the ovarium + consists of two pistils; AA {Figure 12} being the midrib vessels, and BB + being those formed of the vessels on edges of the two carpels, run + together, and going to wrong bundles. I came to this conclusion before + receiving your letter. + </p> + <p> + I wonder why Asa Gray will not believe in the quaternary arrangement; I + had fancied that you saw some great difficulty in the case, and that made + me think that my notion must be wrong. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 617. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, September 27th {1862}. + </p> + <p> + Masdevallia turns out nothing wonderful (617/1. This may refer to the + homologies of the parts. He was unable to understand the mechanism of the + flower.—"Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 136.); I was + merely stupid about it; I am not the less obliged for its loan, for if I + had lived till 100 years old I should have been uneasy about it. It shall + be returned the first day I send to Bromley. I have steamed the other + plants, and made the sensitive plant very sensitive, and shall soon try + some experiments on it. But after all it will only be amusement. + Nevertheless, if not causing too much trouble, I should be very glad of a + few young plants of this and Hedysarum in summer (617/2. Hedysarum or + Desmodium gyrans, the telegraph-plant.), for this kind of work takes no + time and amuses me much. Have you seeds of Oxalis sensitiva, which I see + mentioned in books? By the way, what a fault it is in Henslow's "Botany" + that he gives hardly any references; he alludes to great series of + experiments on absorption of poison by roots, but where to find them I + cannot guess. Possibly the all-knowing Oliver may know. I can plainly see + that the glands of Drosera, from rapid power (almost instantaneous) of + absorption and power of movement, give enormous advantage for such + experiments. And some day I will enjoy myself with a good set to work; but + it will be a great advantage if I can get some preliminary notion on other + sensitive plants and on roots. + </p> + <p> + Oliver said he would speak about some seeds of Lythrum hyssopifolium being + preserved for me. By the way, I am rather disgusted to find I cannot + publish this year on Lythrum salicaria; I must make 126 additional + crosses. All that I expected is true, but I have plain indication of much + higher complexity. There are three pistils of different structure and + functional power, and I strongly suspect altogether five kinds of pollen + all different in this one species! (617/3. See "Forms of Flowers," Edition + II., page 138.) + </p> + <p> + By any chance have you at Kew any odd varieties of the common potato? I + want to grow a few plants of every variety, to compare flowers, leaves, + fruit, etc., as I have done with peas, etc. (617/4. "Animals and Plants," + Edition II., Volume I., page 346. Compare also the similar facts with + regard to cabbages, loc. cit., page 342. Some of the original specimens + are in the Botanical Museum at Cambridge.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 618. J.D. HOOKER TO CHARLES DARWIN. + </p> + <p> + (618/1. The following is part of Letter 144, Volume I. It refers to + reviews of "Fertilisation of Orchids" in the "Gardeners' Chronicle," 1862, + pages 789, 863, 910, and in the "Natural History Review," October, 1862, + page 371.) + </p> + <p> + November 7th, 1862. + </p> + <p> + Dear old Darwin, + </p> + <p> + I assure you it was not my fault! I worried Lindley over and over again to + notice your orchid book in the "Chronicle" by the very broadest hints man + could give. (618/2. See "Life and Letters," III., page 273.) At last he + said, "really I cannot, you must do it for me," and so I did—volontiers. + Lindley felt that he ought to have done it himself, and my main effort was + to write it "a la Lindley," and in this alone I have succeeded—that + people all think it is exactly Lindley's style!!! which diverts me vastly. + The fact is, between ourselves, I fear that poor L. is breaking up—he + said that he could not fix his mind on your book. He works himself beyond + his mental or physical powers. + </p> + <p> + And now, my dear Darwin, I may as well make a clean breast of it, and tell + you that I wrote the "Nat. Hist. Review" notice too—to me a very + difficult task, and one I fancied I failed in, comparatively. Of this you + are no judge, and can be none; you told me to tell Oliver it pleased you, + and so I am content and happy. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 619. TO W.E. DARWIN. Down, 4th {about 1862-3?} + </p> + <p> + I have been looking at the fertilisation of wheat, and I think possibly + you might find something curious. I observed in almost every one of the + pollen-grains, which had become empty and adhered to (I suppose the + viscid) branching hairs of the stigma, that the pollen-tube was always (?) + emitted on opposite side of grain to that in contact with the branch of + the stigma. This seems very odd. The branches of the stigma are very thin, + formed apparently of three rows of cells of hardly greater diameter than + pollen-tube. I am astonished that the tubes should be able to penetrate + the walls. The specimens examined (not carefully by me) had pollen only + during few hours on stigma; and the mere SUSPICION has crossed me that the + pollen-tubes crawl down these branches to the base and then penetrate the + stigmatic tissue. (619/1. See Strasburger's "Neue Untersuchungen uber den + Befruchtungsvorgang bei den Phanerogamen," 1884. In Alopecurus pratensis + he describes the pollen as adhering to the end of a projection from the + stigma where it germinates; the tube crawls along or spirally round this + projection until it reaches the angle where the stigmatic branch is given + off; here it makes an entrance and travels in the middle lamella between + two cells.) The paleae open for a short period for stigma to be dusted, + and then close again, and such travelling down would take place under + protection. High powers and good adjustment are necessary. Ears expel + anthers when kept in water in room; but the paleae apparently do not open + and expose stigma; but the stigma could easily be artificially + impregnated. + </p> + <p> + If I were you I would keep memoranda of points worth attending to. + </p> + <p> + 2.X.II. MELASTOMACEAE, 1862-1881. + </p> + <p> + (620/1. The following series of letters (620-630) refers to the + Melastomaceae and certain other flowers of analogous form. In 1862 Darwin + attempted to explain the existence of two very different sets of stamens + in these plants as a case of dimorphism, somewhat analogous to the state + of things in Primula. In this view he was probably wrong, but this does + not diminish the interest of the crossing experiments described in the + letters. The persistence of his interest in this part of the subject is + shown in the following passage from his Preface to the English translation + of H. Muller's "Befruchtung der Blumen"; the passage is dated February, + 1882, but was not published until the following year. + </p> + <p> + "There exist also some few plants the flowers of which include two sets of + stamens, differing in the shape of the anthers and in the colour of the + pollen; and at present no one knows whether this difference has any + functional significance, and this is a point which ought to be + determined." + </p> + <p> + It is not obvious why he spoke of the problem as if no light had been + thrown on it, since in 1881 Fritz Muller had privately (see Letter 629) + offered an explanation which Darwin was strongly inclined to accept. + (620/2. H. Muller published ("Nature," August 4th, 1881) a letter from his + brother Fritz giving the theory in question for Heeria. Todd ("American + Naturalist," April 1882), described a similar state of things in Solanum + rostratum and in Cassia: and H.O. Forbes ("Nature," August 1882, page 386) + has done the same for Melastoma. In Rhexia virginica Mr. W.H. Leggett + ("Bulletin Torrey Bot. Club, New York," VIII., 1881, page 102) describes + the curious structure of the anther, which consists of two inflated + portions and a tubular part connecting the two. By pressing with a blunt + instrument on one of the ends, the pollen is forced out in a jet through a + fine pore in the other inflated end. Mr. Leggett has seen bees treading on + the anthers, but could not get near enough to see the pollen expelled. In + the same journal, Volume IX., page 11, Mr. Bailey describes how in + Heterocentron roseum, "upon pressing the bellows-like anther with a blunt + pencil, the pollen was ejected to a full inch in distance." On + Lagerstroemia as comparable with the Melastomads see Letter 689.) Fritz + Muller's theory with regard to the Melastomads and a number of analogous + cases in other genera are discussed in H. Muller's article in "Kosmos" + (620/3. "Kosmos," XIII., 1883, page 241.), where the literature is given. + F. Muller's theory is that in Heeria the yellow anthers serve merely as a + means of attracting pollen-collecting bees, while the longer stamens with + purple or crimson anthers supply pollen for fertilising purposes. If + Muller is right the pollen from the yellow anthers would not normally + reach the stigma. The increased vigour observed in the seedlings from the + yellow anthers would seem to resemble the good effect of a cross between + different individuals of the same species as worked out in "Cross and Self + Fertilisation," for it is difficult to believe that the pollen of the + purple anthers has become, by adaptation, less effective than that of the + yellow anthers. In the letters here given there is some contradiction + between the statements as to the position of the two sets of stamens in + relation to the sepals. According to Eichler ("Bluthendiagramme, II., page + 482) the longer stamens may be either epipetalous or episepalous in this + family. + </p> + <p> + The work on the Melastomads is of such intrinsic importance that we have + thought it right to give the correspondence in considerable detail; we + have done so in spite of the fact that Darwin arrived at no definite + conclusion, and in spite of an element of confusion and unsatisfactoriness + in the series of letters. This applies also to Letter 629, written after + Darwin had learned Fritz Muller's theory, which is obscured by some errors + or slips of the pen.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 620. TO G. BENTHAM. Down, February 3rd {1862?} + </p> + <p> + As you so kindly helped me before on dimorphism, will you forgive me + begging for a little further information, if in your power to give it? The + case is that of the Melastomads with eight stamens, on which I have been + experimenting. I am perplexed by opposed statements: Lindley says the + stamens which face the petals are sterile; Wallich says in Oxyspora + paniculata that the stamens which face the sepals are destitute of pollen; + I find plenty of apparently good pollen in both sets of stamens in + Heterocentron {Heeria}, Monochoetum, and Centradenia. Can you throw any + light on this? But there is another point on which I am more anxious for + information. Please look at the enclosed miserable diagram. I find that + the pollen of the yellow petal-facing stamens produce more than twice as + much seed as the pollen of the purple sepal-facing stamens. This is + exactly opposed to Lindley's statement—viz., that the petal-facing + stamens are sterile. But I cannot at present believe that the case has any + relation to abortion; it is hardly possible to believe that the longer and + very curious stamens, which face the sepals in this Heterocentron, are + tending to be rudimentary, though their pollen applied to their own + flowers produces so much less seed. It is conformable with what we see in + Primula that the {purple} sepal-facing anthers, which in the plant seen by + me stood quite close on each side of the stigma, should have been rendered + less fitted to fertilise the stigma than the stamens on the opposite side + of the flower. Hence the suspicion has crossed me that if many plants of + the Heterocentron roseum were examined, half would be found with the + pistil nearly upright, instead of being rectangularly bent down, as shown + in the diagram (620/4. According to Willis, "Flowering Plants and Ferns," + 1897, Volume II., page 252, the style in Monochoetum, "at first bent + downwards, moves slowly up till horizontal."); or, if the position of + pistil is fixed, that in half the plants the petal-facing stamens would + bend down, and in the other half of the plants the sepal-facing stamens + would bend down as in the diagram. I suspect the former case, as in + Centradenia I find the pistil nearly straight. Can you tell me? (620/5. No + reply by Mr. Bentham to this or the following queries has been found.) Can + the name Heterocentron have any reference to such diversity? Would it be + asking too great a favour to ask you to look at dried specimens of + Heterocentron roseum (which would be best), or of Monochoetum, or any + eight-stamened Melastomad, of which you have specimens from several + localities (as this would ensure specimens having been taken from distinct + plants), and observe whether the pistil bends differently or stamens + differently in different plants? You will at once see that, if such were + the fact, it would be a new form of dimorphism, and would open up a large + field of inquiry with respect to the potency of the pollen in all plants + which have two sets of stamens—viz., longer and shorter. Can you + forgive me for troubling you at such unreasonable length? But it is such + waste of time to experiment without some guiding light. I do not know + whether you have attended particularly to Melastoma; if you have not, + perhaps Hooker or Oliver may have done so. I should be very grateful for + any information, as it will guide future experiments. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—Do you happen to know, when there are only four stamens, + whether it is the petal or sepal-facers which are preserved? and whether + in the four-stamened forms the pistil is rectangularly bent or is + straight? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 621. TO ASA GRAY. Down, February 16th {1862?}. + </p> + <p> + I have been trying a few experiments on Melastomads; and they seem to + indicate that the pollen of the two curious sets of anthers (i.e. the + petal-facers and the sepal-facers) have very different powers; and it does + not seem that the difference is connected with any tendency to abortion in + the one set. Now I think I can understand the structure of the flower and + means of fertilisation, if there be two forms,—one with the pistil + bent rectangularly out of the flower, and the other with it nearly + straight. + </p> + <p> + Our hot-house and green-house plants have probably all descended by + cuttings from a single plant of each species; so I can make out nothing + from them. I applied in vain to Bentham and Hooker; but Oliver picked out + some sentences from Naudin, which seem to indicate differences in the + position of the pistil. + </p> + <p> + I see that Rhexia grows in Massachusetts; and I suppose has two different + sets of stamens. Now, if in your power, would you observe the position of + the pistil in different plants, in lately opened flowers of the same age? + (I specify this because in Monochaetum I find great changes of position in + the pistils and stamens, as flower gets old). Supposing that my prophecy + should turn out right, please observe whether in both forms the passage + into the flower is not {on} the upper side of the pistil, owing to the + basal part of the pistil lying close to the ring of filaments on the under + side of the flower. Also I should like to know the colour of the two sets + of anthers. This would take you only a few minutes, and is the only way I + see that I can find out whether these plants are dimorphic in this + peculiar way—i.e., only in the position of the pistil (621/1. In + Exacum and in Saintpaulia the flowers are dimorphic in this sense: the + style projects to either the right or the left side of the corolla, from + which it follows that a right-handed flower would fertilise a left-handed + one, and vice versa. See Willis, "Flowering Plants and Ferns," 1897, + Volume I., page 73.) and in its relation to the two kinds of pollen. I am + anxious about this, because if it should prove so, it will show that all + plants with longer and shorter or otherwise different anthers will have to + be examined for dimorphism. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 622. TO ASA GRAY. March 15th {1862}. + </p> + <p> + ...I wrote some little time ago about Rhexia; since then I have been + carefully watching and experimenting on another genus, Monochaetum; and I + find that the pistil is first bent rectangularly (as in the sketch sent), + and then in a few days becomes straight: the stamens also move. If there + be not two forms of Rhexia, will you compare the position of the part in + young and old flowers? I have a suspicion (perhaps it will be proved wrong + when the seed-capsules are ripe) that one set of anthers are adapted to + the pistil in early state, and the other set for it in its later state. If + bees visit the Rhexia, for Heaven's sake watch exactly how the anther and + stigma strike them, both in old and young flowers, and give me a sketch. + </p> + <p> + Again I say, do not hate me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 623. TO J.D. HOOKER. Leith Hill Place, Dorking, Thursday, 15th {May + 1862}. + </p> + <p> + You stated at the Linnean Society that different sets of seedling Cinchona + (623/1. Cinchona is apparently heterostyled: see "Forms of Flowers," + Edition II., page 134.) grew at very different rate, and from my Primula + case you attributed it probably to two sorts of pollen. I confess I + thought you rash, but I now believe you were quite right. I find the + yellow and crimson anthers of the same flower in the Melastomatous + Heterocentron roseum have different powers; the yellow producing on the + same plant thrice as many seeds as the crimson anthers. I got my + neighbour's most skilful gardener to sow both kinds of seeds, and + yesterday he came to me and said it is a most extraordinary thing that + though both lots have been treated exactly alike, one lot all remain + dwarfs and the other lot are all rising high up. The dwarfs were produced + by the pollen of the crimson anthers. In Monochaetum ensiferum the facts + are more complex and still more strange; as the age and position of the + pistils comes into play, in relation to the two kinds of pollen. These + facts seem to me so curious that I do not scruple to ask you to see + whether you can lend me any Melastomad just before flowering, with a not + very small flower, and which will endure for a short time a greenhouse or + sitting-room; when fertilised and watered I could send it to Mr. + Turnbull's to a cool stove to mature seed. I fully believe the case is + worth investigation. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—You will not have time at present to read my orchid book; I + never before felt half so doubtful about anything which I published. When + you read it, do not fear "punishing" me if I deserve it. + </p> + <p> + Adios. I am come here to rest, which I much want. + </p> + <p> + Whenever you have occasion to write, pray tell me whether you have + Rhododendron Boothii from Bhootan, with a smallish yellow flower, and + pistil bent the wrong way; if so, I would ask Oliver to look for nectary, + for it is an abominable error of Nature that must be corrected. I could + hardly believe my eyes when I saw the pistil. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 624. TO ASA GRAY. January 19th {1863}. + </p> + <p> + I have been at those confounded Melastomads again; throwing good money + (i.e. time) after bad. Do you remember telling me you could see no nectar + in your Rhexia? well, I can find none in Monochaetum, and Bates tells me + that the flowers are in the most marked manner neglected by bees and + lepidoptera in Amazonia. Now the curious projections or horns to the + stamens of Monochaetum are full of fluid, and the suspicion occurs to me + that diptera or small hymenoptera may puncture these horns like they + puncture (proved since my orchid book was published) the dry nectaries of + true Orchis. I forget whether Rhexia is common; but I very much wish you + would next summer watch on a warm day a group of flowers, and see whether + they are visited by small insects, and what they do. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 625. TO I.A. HENRY. Down, January 20th {1863}. + </p> + <p> + ...You must kindly permit me to mention any point on which I want + information. If you are so inclined, I am curious to know from systematic + experiments whether Mr. D. Beaton's statement that the pollen of two + shortest anthers of scarlet Pelargonium produce dwarf plants (625/1. See + "Animals and Plants," Edition II., Volume II., page 150, for a brief + account of Darwin's experiments on this genus. Also loc. cit., page 338 + (note), for a suggested experiment.), in comparison with plants produced + from the same mother-plant by the pollen of longer stamens from the same + flower. It would aid me much in some laborious experiments on Melastomads. + I confess I feel a little doubtful; at least, I feel pretty nearly sure + that I know the meaning of short stamens in most plants. This summer (for + another object) I crossed Queen of Scarlet Pelargonium with pollen of long + and short stamens of multiflora alba, and it so turns out that plants from + short stamens are the tallest; but I believe this to have been mere + chance. My few crosses in Pelargonium were made to get seed from the + central peloric or regular flower (I have got one from peloric flower by + pollen of peloric), and this leads me to suggest that it would be very + interesting to test fertility of peloric flowers in three ways,—own + peloric pollen on peloric stigma, common pollen on peloric stigma, peloric + pollen on common stigma of same species. My object is to discover whether + with change of structure of flower there is any change in fertility of + pollen or of female organs. This might also be tested by trying peloric + and common pollen on stigma of a distinct species, and conversely. I + believe there is a peloric and common variety of Tropaeolum, and a peloric + or upright and common variation of some species of Gloxinia, and the + medial peloric flowers of Pelargonium, and probably others unknown to me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 626. TO I.A. HENRY. Hartfield, May 2nd {1863}. + </p> + <p> + In scarlet dwarf Pelargonium, you will find occasionally an additional and + abnormal stamen on opposite and lower side of flower. Now the pollen of + this one occasional short stamen, I think, very likely would produce dwarf + plants. If you experiment on Pelargonium I would suggest your looking out + for this single stamen. + </p> + <p> + I observed fluctuations in length of pistil in Phloxes, but thought it was + mere variability. + </p> + <p> + If you could raise a bed of seedling Phloxes of any species except P. + Drummondii, it would be highly desirable to see if two forms are + presented, and I should be very grateful for information and flowers for + inspection. I cannot remember, but I know that I had some reason to look + after Phloxes. (626/1. See "Forms of Flowers," Edition II., page 119, + where the conjecture is hazarded that Phlox subulata shows traces of a + former heterostyled condition.) + </p> + <p> + I do not know whether you have used microscopes much yet. It adds + immensely to interest of all such work as ours, and is indeed + indispensable for much work. Experience, however, has fully convinced me + that the use of the compound without the simple microscope is absolutely + injurious to progress of N{atural} History (excepting, of course, with + Infusoria). I have, as yet, found no exception to the rule, that when a + man has told me he works with the compound alone his work is valueless. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 627. TO ASA GRAY. March 20th {1863}. + </p> + <p> + I wrote to him {Dr. H. Cruger, of Trinidad} to ask him to observe what the + insects did in the flowers of Melastomaceae: he says not proper season + yet, but that on one species a small bee seemed busy about the horn-like + appendages to the anthers. It will be too good luck if my study of the + flowers in the greenhouse has led me to right interpretation of these + appendages. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 628. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, November 28th {1871}. + </p> + <p> + If you had come here on Sunday I should have asked you whether you could + give me seed or seedlings of any Melastomad which would flower soon to + experiment on! I wrote also to J. Scott to ask if he could give me seed. + </p> + <p> + Several years ago I raised a lot of seedlings of a Melastomad greenhouse + bush (Monochaetus or some such name) (628/1. Monochaetum.) from stigmas + fertilised separately by the two kinds of pollen, and the seedlings + differed remarkably in size, and whilst young, in appearance; and I never + knew what to think of the case (so you must not use it), and have always + wished to try again, but they are troublesome beasts to fertilise. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand I could detect no difference in the product from the two + coloured anthers of Clarkia. (628/2. Clarkia has eight stamens divided + into two groups which differ in the colour of the anthers.) If you want to + know further particulars of my experiments on Monochaetum (?) and Clarkia, + I will hunt for my notes. You ask about difference in pollen in the same + species. All dimorphic and trimorphic plants present such difference in + function and in size. Lythrum and the trimorphic Oxalis are the most + wonderful cases. The pollen of the closed imperfect cleistogamic flowers + differ in the transparency of the integument, and I think in size. The + latter point I could ascertain from my notes. The pollen or female organs + must differ in almost every individual in some manner; otherwise the + pollen of varieties and even distinct individuals of same varieties would + not be so prepotent over the individual plant's own pollen. Here follows a + case of individual differences in function of pollen or ovules or both. + Some few individuals of Reseda odorata and R. lutea cannot be fertilised, + or only very rarely, by pollen of the same plant, but can by pollen of any + other individual. I chanced to have two plants of R. odorata in this + state; so I crossed them and raised five seedlings, all of which were self + sterile and all perfectly fertile with pollen of any other individual + mignonette. So I made a self sterile race! I do not know whether these are + the kinds of facts which you require. + </p> + <p> + Think whether you can help me to seed or better seedlings (not cuttings) + of any Melastomad. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 629. TO F. MULLER. Down, March 20th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I have received the seeds and your most interesting letter of February + 7th. The seeds shall be sown, and I shall like to see the plants sleeping; + but I doubt whether I shall make any more detailed observations on this + subject, as, now that I feel very old, I require the stimulus of some + novelty to make me work. This stimulus you have amply given me in your + remarkable view of the meaning of the two-coloured stamens in many + flowers. I was so much struck with this fact with Lythrum, that I began + experimenting on some Melastomaceae, which have two sets of extremely + differently coloured anthers. After reading your letter I turned to my + notes (made 20 years ago!) to see whether they would support or contradict + your suggestion. I cannot tell yet, but I have come across one very + remarkable result, that seedlings from the crimson anthers were not + 11/20ths of the size of seedlings from the yellow anthers of the same + flowers. Fewer good seeds were produced by the crimson pollen. I concluded + that the shorter stamens were aborting, and that the pollen was not good. + (629/1. "Shorter stamens" seems to be a slip of the pen for "longer,"—unless + the observations were made on some genus in which the structure is + unusual.) The mature pollen is incoherent, and must be {word illegible} + against the visiting insect's body. I remembered this, and I find it said + in my EARLY notes that bees would never visit the flowers for pollen. This + made me afterwards write to the late Dr. Cruger in the West Indies, and he + observed for me the flowers, and saw bees pressing the anthers with their + mandibles from the base upwards, and this forced a worm-like thread of + pollen from the terminal pore, and this pollen the bees collected with + their hind legs. So that the Melastomads are not opposed to your views. + </p> + <p> + I am now working on the habits of worms, and it tires me much to change my + subject; so I will lay on one side your letter and my notes, until I have + a week's leisure, and will then see whether my facts bear on your views. I + will then send a letter to "Nature" or to the Linn. Soc., with the extract + of your letter (and this ought to appear in any case), with my own + observations, if they appear worth publishing. The subject had gone out of + my mind, but I now remember thinking that the imperfect action of the + crimson stamens might throw light on hybridism. If this pollen is + developed, according to your view, for the sake of attracting insects, it + might act imperfectly, as well as if the stamens were becoming + rudimentary. (629/2. As far as it is possible to understand the earlier + letters it seems that the pollen of the shorter stamens, which are adapted + for attracting insects, is the most effective.) I do not know whether I + have made myself intelligible. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 630. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, March 21st {1881}. + </p> + <p> + I have had a letter from Fritz Muller suggesting a novel and very curious + explanation of certain plants producing two sets of anthers of different + colour. This has set me on fire to renew the laborious experiments which I + made on this subject, now 20 years ago. Now, will you be so kind as to + turn in your much worked and much holding head, whether you can think of + any plants, especially annuals, producing 2 such sets of anthers. I + believe that this is the case with Clarkia elegans, and I have just + written to Thompson for seeds. The Lythraceae must be excluded, as these + are heterostyled. + </p> + <p> + I have got seeds from Dr. King of some Melastomaceae, and will write to + Veitch to see if I can get the Melastomaceous genera Monochaetum and + Heterocentron or some such name, on which I before experimented. Now, if + you can aid me, I know that you will; but if you cannot, do not write and + trouble yourself. + </p> + <p> + 2.X.III. CORRESPONDENCE WITH JOHN SCOTT, 1862-1871. + </p> + <p> + "If he had leisure he would make a wonderful observer, to my judgment; I + have come across no one like him."—Letter to J.D. Hooker, May 29th + {1863}. + </p> + <p> + (631/1. The following group of letters to John Scott, of whom some account + is given elsewhere (Volume I., Letters 150 and 151, and Index.) deal + chiefly with experimental work in the fertilisation of flowers. In + addition to their scientific importance, several of the letters are of + special interest as illustrating the encouragement and friendly assistance + which Darwin gave to his correspondent.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 631. JOHN SCOTT TO CHARLES DARWIN. Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, + November 11th, 1862. + </p> + <p> + I take the liberty of addressing you for the purpose of directing your + attention to an error in one of your ingenious explanations of the + structural adaptations of the Orchidaceae in your late work. This occurs + in the genus Acropera, two species of which you assume to be unisexual, + and so far as known represented by male individuals only. Theoretically + you have no doubt assigned good grounds for this view; nevertheless, + experimental observations that I am now making have already convinced me + of its fallacy. And I thus hurriedly, and as you may think prematurely, + direct your attention to it, before I have seen the final result of my own + experiment, that you might have the longer time for reconsidering the + structure of this genus for another edition of your interesting book, if + indeed it be not already called for. I am furthermore induced to + communicate the results of my yet imperfect experiments in the belief that + the actuating principle of your late work is the elicitation of truth, and + that you will gladly avail yourself of this even at the sacrifice of much + ingenious theoretical argumentation. + </p> + <p> + Since I have had an opportunity of perusing your work on orchid + fertilisation, my attention has been particularly directed to the + curiously constructed floral organs of Acropera. I unfortunately have as + yet had only a few flowers for experimental enquiry, otherwise my remarks + might have been clearer and more satisfactory. Such as they are, however, + I respectfully lay {them} before you, with a full assurance of their + veracity, and I sincerely trust that as such you will receive them. + </p> + <p> + Your observations seem to have been chiefly directed to the A. luteola, + mine to the A. Loddigesii, which, however, as you remark, is in a very + similar constructural condition with the former; having the same narrow + stigmatic chamber, abnormally developed placenta, etc. In regard to the + former point—contraction of stigmatic chamber—I may remark + that it does not appear to be absolutely necessary that the pollen-masses + penetrate this chamber for effecting fecundation. Thus a raceme was + produced upon a plant of A. Loddigesii in the Botanic Gardens here lately; + upon this I left only six flowers. These I attempted to fertilise, but + with two only of the six have I been successful: I succeeded in forcing a + single pollen-mass into the stigmatic chamber of one of the latter, but I + failed to do this on the other; however, by inserting a portion of a + pedicel with a pollinium attached, I caused the latter to adhere, with a + gentle press, to the mouth of the stigmatic chamber. Both of these, as I + have already remarked, are nevertheless fertilised; one of them I have cut + off for examination, and its condition I will presently describe; the + other is still upon the plant, and promises fair to attain maturity. In + regard to the other four flowers, I may remark that though similarly + fertilised—part having pollinia inserted, others merely attached—they + all withered and dropped off without the least swelling of the ovary. Can + it be, then, that this is really an {andro-monoecious} species?—part + of the flowers male, others truly hermaphrodite. + </p> + <p> + In making longitudinal sections of the fertilised ovary before mentioned, + I found the basal portion entirely destitute of ovules, their place being + substituted by transparent cellular ramification of the placentae. As I + traced the placentae upwards, the ovules appeared, becoming gradually more + abundant towards its apex. A transverse section near the apex of the + ovary, however, still exhibited a more than ordinary placental development—i.e. + {congenitally?} considered—each end giving off two branches, which + meet each other in the centre of the ovary, the ovules being irregularly + and sparingly disposed upon their surfaces. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the mere question of fertilisation, then, I am perfectly + satisfied, but there are other points which require further elucidation. + Among these I may particularly refer to the contracted stigmatic chamber, + and the slight viscidity of its disk. The latter, however, may be a + consequence of uncongenial conditions—as you do not mention + particularly its examination by any author in its natural habitat. If such + be the case, the contracted stigmatic chamber will offer no real + difficulty, should the viscous exudations be only sufficient to render the + mouth adhesive. For, as I have already shown, the pollen-tubes may be + emitted in this condition, and effect fecundation without being in actual + contact with the stigmatic surface, as occurs pretty regularly in the + fertilisation of the Stapelias, for example. But, indeed, your own + discovery of the independent germinative capabilities of the pollen-grains + of certain Orchidaceae is sufficiently illustrative of this. + </p> + <p> + I may also refer to the peculiar abnormal condition that many at least of + the ovaries present in a comparative examination of the placentae, and of + which I beg to suggest the following explanation, though it is as yet + founded on limited observations. In examining certain young ovaries of A. + Loddigesii, I found some of them filled with the transparent membranous + fringes of more or less distinctly cellular matter, which, from your + description of the ovaries of luteola, appears to differ simply in the + greater development in the former species. Again, in others I found small + mammillary bodies, which appeared to be true ovules, though I could not + perfectly satisfy myself as to the existence of the micropyle or nucleus. + I unfortunately neglected to apply any chemical test. The fact, however, + that in certain of the examined ovaries few or none of the latter bodies + occurred—the placenta alone being developed in an irregular + membranous form, taken in conjunction with the results of my experiments—before + alluded to—on their fertilisation, leads me to infer that two sexual + conditions are presented by the flowers of this plant. In short, that many + of the ovaries are now normally abortive, though Nature occasionally makes + futile efforts for their perfect development, in the production of ovuloid + bodies; these then I regard as the male flowers. The others that are still + capable of fertilisation, and likewise possessing male organs, are + hermaphrodite, and must, I think, from the results of your comparative + examinations, present a somewhat different condition; as it can scarcely + be supposed that ovules in the condition you describe could ever be + fertilised. + </p> + <p> + This is at least the most plausible explanation I can offer for the + different results in my experiments on the fertilisation of apparently + similar morphologically constructed flowers; others may, however, occur to + you. Here there is not, as in the Catasetum, any external change visible + in the respective unisexual and bisexual flowers. And yet it would appear + from your researches that the ovules of Acropera are in a more highly + atrophied condition than occurs in Catasetum, though, as you likewise + remark, M. Neumann has never succeeded in fertilising C. tridentatum. If + there be not, then, an arrangement of the reproductive structures, such as + I have indicated, how can the different results in M. Neumann's + experiments and mine be accounted for? However, as you have examined many + flowers of both A. luteola and Loddigesii, such a difference in the + ovulary or placental structures could scarcely have escaped your + observation. But, be this as it may, the—to me at least—demonstrated + fact still remains, that certain flowers of A. Loddigesii are capable of + fertilisation, and that, though there are good grounds for supposing that + important physiological changes are going on in the sexual phenomena of + this species, there is no evidence whatever for supposing that external + morphological changes have so masked certain individuals as to prevent + their recognition. + </p> + <p> + I would now, sir, in conclusion beg you to excuse me for this infringement + upon your valuable time, as I have been induced to write you in the belief + that you have had negative results from other experimenters, before you + ventured to propose your theoretical explanation, and consequently that + you have been unknowingly led into error. I will continue, as + opportunities present themselves, to examine the many peculiarities you + have pointed out in this as well as others of the Orchid family; and at + present I am looking forward with anxiety for the maturation of the ovary + of A. Loddigesii, which will bear testimony to the veracity of the remarks + I have ventured to lay before you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 632. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, 18th {November 1862}. + </p> + <p> + Strange to say, I have only one little bother for you to-day, and that is + to let me know about what month flowers appear in Acropera Loddigesii and + luteola; for I want extremely to beg a few more flowers, and if I knew the + time I would keep a memorandum to remind you. Why I want these flowers is + (and I am much alarmed) that Mr. J. Scott, of Bot. Garden of Edinburgh (do + you know anything of him?) has written me a very long and clever letter, + in which he confirms most of my observations; but tells me that with much + difficulty he managed to get pollen into orifice, or as far as mouth of + orifice, of six flowers of A. Loddigesii (the ovarium of which I did not + examine), and two pods set; one he gathered, and saw a very few ovules, as + he thinks, on the large and mostly rudimentary placenta. I shall be most + curious to hear whether the other pod produces a good lot of seed. He says + he regrets that he did not test the ovules with chemical agents: does he + mean tincture of iodine? He suggests that in a state of nature the viscid + matter may come to the very surface of stigmatic chamber, and so + pollen-masses need not be inserted. This is possible, but I should think + improbable. Altogether the case is very odd, and I am very uneasy, for I + cannot hope that A. Loddigesii is hermaphrodite and A. luteola the male of + the same species. Whenever I can get Acropera would be a very good time + for me to look at Vanda in spirits, which you so kindly preserved for me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 633. TO J. SCOTT. + </p> + <p> + (633/1. The following is Darwin's reply to the above letter from Scott. In + the first edition of "Fertilisation of Orchids" (page 209) he assumed that + the sexes in Acropera, as in Catasetum, were separate. In the second + edition (page 172) he writes: "I was, however, soon convinced of my error + by Mr. Scott, who succeeded in artificially fertilising the flowers with + their own pollen. A remarkable discovery by Hildebrand (633/2. "Bot. + Zeitung," 1863 and 1865.), namely, that in many orchids the ovules are not + developed unless the stigma is penetrated by the pollen-tubes...explains + the state of the ovarium in Acropera, as observed by me." In regard to + this subject see Letter 608.) + </p> + <p> + Down, November 12th, 1862. + </p> + <p> + I thank you most sincerely for your kindness in writing to me, and for + {your} very interesting letter. Your fact has surprised me greatly, and + has alarmed me not a little, for if I am in error about Acropera I may be + in error about Catasetum. Yet when I call to mind the state of the + placentae in A. luteola, I am astonished that they should produce ovules. + You will see in my book that I state that I did not look at the ovarium of + A. Loddigesii. Would you have the kindness to send me word which end of + the ovarium is meant by apex (that nearest the flower?), for I must try + and get this species from Kew and look at its ovarium. I shall be + extremely curious to hear whether the fruit, which is now maturing, + produces a large number of good and plump seed; perhaps you may have seen + the ripe capsules of other Vandeae, and may be able to form some + conjecture what it ought to produce. In the young, unfertilised ovaria of + many Vandeae there seemed an infinitude of ovules. In desperation it + occurs to me as just possible, as almost everything in nature goes by + gradation, that a properly male flower might occasionally produce a few + seeds, in the same manner as female plants sometimes produce a little + pollen. All your remarks seem to me excellent and very interesting, and I + again thank you for your kindness in writing to me. I am pleased to + observe that my description of the structure of Acropera seems to agree + pretty well with what you have observed. Does it not strike you as very + difficult to understand how insects remove the pollinia and carry them to + the stigmas? Your suggestion that the mouth of the stigmatic cavity may + become charged with viscid matter and thus secure the pollinia, and that + the pollen-tubes may then protrude, seems very ingenious and new to me; + but it would be very anomalous in orchids, i.e. as far as I have seen. No + doubt, however, though I tried my best, I shall be proved wrong in many + points. Botany is a new subject to me. With respect to the protrusion of + pollen-tubes, you might like to hear (if you do not already know the fact) + that, as I saw this summer, in the little imperfect flowers of Viola and + Oxalis, which never open, the pollen-tubes always come out of the + pollen-grain, whilst still in the anthers, and direct themselves in a + beautiful manner to the stigma seated at some little distance. I hope that + you will continue your very interesting observations. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 634. TO J. SCOTT. Down, November 19th {1862}. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your letter, which is full of interesting matter. I + shall be very glad to look at the capsule of the Acropera when ripe, and + pray present my thanks to Mr. MacNab. (634/1. See Letter 608 (Lindley, + December 15th, 1861). Also "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page + 172, for an account of the observations on Acropera which were corrected + by Scott.) I should like to keep it till I could get a capsule of some + other member of the Vandeae for comparison, but ultimately all the seeds + shall be returned, in case you would like to write any notice on the + subject. It was, as I said (634/2. Letter 633.), only "in desperation" + that I suggested that the flower might be a male and occasionally capable + of producing a few seeds. I had forgotten Gartner's remark; in fact, I + know only odds and ends of Botany, and you know far more. One point makes + the above view more probable in Acropera than in other cases, viz. the + presence of rudimentary placentae or testae, for I cannot hear that these + have been observed in the male plants. They do not occur in male Lychnis + dioica, but next spring I will look to male holly flowers. I fully admit + the difficulty of similarity of stigmatic chamber in the two Acroperas. As + far as I remember, the blunt end of pollen-mass would not easily even + stick in the orifice of the chamber. Your view may be correct about + abundance of viscid matter, but seems rather improbable. Your facts about + female flowers occurring where males alone ought to occur is new to me; if + I do not hear that you object, I will quote the Zea case on your authority + in what I am now writing on the varieties of the maize. (634/3. See + "Animals and Plants," Edition II., Volume I., page 339: "Mr. Scott has + lately observed the rarer case of female flowers on a true male panicle, + and likewise hermaphrodite flowers." Scott's paper on the subject is in + "Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh," Volume VIII. See Letter 151, Volume I.) I am + glad to hear that you are now working on the most curious subject of + parthenogenesis. I formerly fancied that I observed female Lychnis dioica + seeded without pollen. I send by this post a paper on Primula, which may + interest you. (634/4. "Linn. Soc. Journal," 1862.) I am working on the + subject, and if you should ever observe any analogous case I should be + glad to hear. I have added another very clever pamphlet by Prof. Asa Gray. + Have you a copy of my Orchis book? If you have not, and would like one, I + should be pleased to send one. I plainly see that you have the true spirit + of an experimentalist and good observer. Therefore, I ask whether you have + ever made any trials on relative fertility of varieties of plants (like + those I quote from Gartner on the varieties of Verbascum). I much want + information on this head, and on those marvellous cases (as some Lobelias + and Crinum passiflora) in which a plant can be more easily fertilised by + the pollen of another species than by its own good pollen. I am compelled + to write in haste. With many thanks for your kindness. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 635. TO J. SCOTT. Down, 20th {1862?}. + </p> + <p> + What a magnificent capsule, and good Heavens, what a number of seeds! I + never before opened pods of larger orchids. It did not signify a few seed + being lost, as it would be hopeless to estimate number in comparison with + other species. If you sow any, had you not better sow a good many? so I + enclose small packet. I have looked at the seeds; I never saw in the + British orchids nearly so many empty testae; but this goes for nothing, as + unnatural conditions would account for it. I suspect, however, from the + variable size and transparency, that a good many of the seeds when dry + (and I have put the capsule on my chimney-piece) will shrivel up. So I + will wait a month or two till I get the capsule of some large Vandeae for + comparison. It is more likely that I have made some dreadful blunder about + Acropera than that it should be male yet not a perfect male. May there be + some sexual relation between A. Loddigesii and luteola; they seem very + close? I should very much like to examine the capsule of the unimpregnated + flower of A. Loddigesii. I have got both species from Kew, but whether we + shall have skill to flower them I know not. One conjectures that it is + imperfect male; I still should incline to think it would produce by seed + both sexes. But you are right about Primula (and a very acute thought it + was): the long-styled P. sinensis, homomorphically fertilised with + own-form pollen, has produced during two successive homomorphic + generations only long-styled plants. (635/1. In "Forms of Flowers," + Edition II., page 216, a summary of the transmission of forms in the + "homomorphic" unions of P. sinensis is given. Darwin afterwards used + "illegitimate" for homomorphic, and "legitimate" for "heteromorphic" + ("Forms of Flowers," Edition i., page 24).) The short-styled the same, + i.e. produced short-styled for two generations with the exception of a + single plant. I cannot say about cowslips yet. I should like to hear your + case of the Primula: is it certainly propagated by seed? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 636. TO J. SCOTT. Down, December 3rd, {1862?}. + </p> + <p> + What a capital observer you are! and how well you have worked the + primulas. All your facts are new to me. It is likely that I overrate the + interest of the subject; but it seems to me that you ought to publish a + paper on the subject. It would, however, greatly add to the value if you + were to cover up any of the forms having pistil and anther of the same + height, and prove that they were fully self-fertile. The occurrence of + dimorphic and non-dimorphic species in the same genus is quite the same as + I find in Linum. (636/1. Darwin finished his paper on Linum in December + 1862, and it was published in the "Linn. Soc. Journal" in 1863.) Have any + of the forms of Primula, which are non-dimorphic, been propagated for some + little time by seed in garden? I suppose not. I ask because I find in P. + sinensis a third rather fluctuating form, apparently due to culture, with + stigma and anthers of same height. I have been working successive + generations homomorphically of this Primula, and think I am getting + curious results; I shall probably publish next autumn; and if you do not + (but I hope you will) publish yourself previously, I should be glad to + quote in abstract some of your facts. But I repeat that I hope you will + yourself publish. Hottonia is dimorphic, with pollen of very different + sizes in the two forms. I think you are mistaken about Siphocampylus, but + I feel rather doubtful in saying this to so good an observer. In Lobelia + the closed pistil grows rapidly, and pushes out the pollen and then the + stigma expands, and the flower in function is monoecious; from appearance + I believe this is the case with your plant. I hope it is so, for this + plant can hardly require a cross, being in function monoecious; so that + dimorphism in such a case would be a heavy blow to understanding its + nature or good in all other cases. I see few periodicals: when have you + published on Clivia? I suppose that you did not actually count the seeds + in the hybrids in comparison with those of the parent-forms; but this is + almost necessary after Gartner's observations. I very much hope you will + make a good series of comparative trials on the same plant of Tacsonia. + (636/2. See Scott in "Linn. Soc. Journal," VIII.) I have raised 700-800 + seedlings from cowslips, artificially fertilised with care; and they + presented not a hair's-breadth approach to oxlips. I have now seed in pots + of cowslip fertilised by pollen of primrose, and I hope they will grow; I + have also got fine seedlings from seed of wild oxlips; so I hope to make + out the case. You speak of difficulties on Natural Selection: there are + indeed plenty; if ever you have spare time (which is not likely, as I am + sure you must be a hard worker) I should be very glad to hear difficulties + from one who has observed so much as you have. The majority of criticisms + on the "Origin" are, in my opinion, not worth the paper they are printed + on. Sir C. Lyell is coming out with what, I expect, will prove really good + remarks. (636/3. Lyell's "Antiquity of Man" was published in the spring of + 1863. In the "Life and Letters," Volume III., pages 8, 11, Darwin's + correspondence shows his deep disappointment at what he thought Lyell's + half-heartedness in regard to evolution. See Letter 164, Volume I.) Pray + do not think me intrusive; but if you would like to have any book I have + published, such as my "Journal of Researches" or the "Origin," I should + esteem it a compliment to be allowed to send it. Will you permit me to + suggest one experiment, which I should much like to see tried, and which I + now wish the more from an extraordinary observation by Asa Gray on + Gymnadenia tridentata (in number just out of Silliman's N. American + Journal) (636/4. In Gymnadenia tridentata, according to Asa Gray, the + anther opens in the bud, and the pollen being somewhat coherent falls on + the stigma and on the rostellum which latter is penetrated by the + pollen-tubes. "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 68. Asa Gray's + papers are in "American Journal of Science," Volume XXXIV., 1862, and + XXXVI., 1863.); namely, to split the labellum of a Cattleya, or of some + allied orchis, remove caudicle from pollen-mass (so that no loose grains + are about) and put it carefully into the large tongue-like rostellum, and + see if pollen-tubes will penetrate, or better, see if capsule will swell. + Similar pollen-masses ought to be put on true stigmas of two or three + other flowers of same plants for comparison. It is to discover whether + rostellum yet retains some of its primordial function of being penetrated + by pollen-tubes. You will be sorry that you ever entered into + correspondence with me. But do not answer till at leisure, and as briefly + as you like. My handwriting, I know, is dreadfully bad. Excuse this + scribbling paper, as I can write faster on it, and I have a rather large + correspondence to keep up. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 637. TO J. SCOTT. Down, January 21st, 1863. + </p> + <p> + I thank you for your very interesting letter; I must answer as briefly as + I can, for I have a heap of other letters to answer. I strongly advise you + to follow up and publish your observations on the pollen-tubes of orchids; + they promise to be very interesting. If you could prove what I only + conjectured (from state of utriculi in rostellum and in stigma of + Catasetum and Acropera) that the utriculi somehow induce, or are + correlated with, penetration of pollen-tubes you will make an important + physiological discovery. I will mention, as worth your attention (and what + I have anxiously wished to observe, if time had permitted, and still hope + to do)—viz., the state of tissues or cells of stigma in an utterly + sterile hybrid, in comparison with the same in fertile parent species; to + test these cells, immerse stigmas for 48 hours in spirits of wine. I + should expect in hybrids that the cells would not show coagulated + contents. It would be an interesting discovery to show difference in + female organs of hybrids and pure species. Anyhow, it is worth trial, and + I recommend you to make it, and publish if you do. The pollen-tubes + directing themselves to stigma is also very curious, though not quite so + new, but well worth investigation when you get Cattleya, etc., in flower. + I say not so new, for remember small flowers of Viola and Oxalis; or + better, see Bibliography in "Natural History Review," No. VIII., page 419 + (October, 1862) for quotation from M. Baillon on pollen-tubes finding way + from anthers to stigma in Helianthemum. I should doubt gum getting solid + from {i.e. because of} continued secretion. Why not sprinkle fresh plaster + of Paris and make impenetrable crust? (637/1. The suggestion that the + stigma should be covered with a crust of plaster of Paris, pierced by a + hole to allow the pollen-tubes to enter, bears a resemblance to Miyoshi's + experiments with germinating pollen and fungal spores. See "Pringsheim's + Jahrbucher," 1895; "Flora," 1894.) You might modify experiment by making + little hole in one lower corner, and see if tubes find it out. See in my + future paper on Linum pollen and stigma recognising each other. If you + will tell me that pollen smells the stigma I will try and believe you; but + I will not believe the Frenchman (I forget who) who says that stigma of + Vanilla actually attracts mechanically, by some unknown force, the solid + pollen-masses to it! Read Asa Gray in 2nd Review of my Orchis book on + pollen of Gymnadenia penetrating rostellum. I can, if you like, lend you + these Reviews; but they must be returned. R. Brown, I remember, says + pollen-tubes separate from grains before the lower ends of tubes reach + ovules. I saw, and was interested by, abstract of your Drosera paper + (637/2. A short note on the irritability of Drosera in the "Trans. Bot. + Soc. Edin." Volume VII.); we have been at very much the same work. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 638. TO J. SCOTT. Down, February 16th {1863}. + </p> + <p> + Absence from home has prevented me from answering you sooner. I should + think that the capsule of Acropera had better be left till it shows some + signs of opening, as our object is to judge whether the seeds are good; + but I should prefer trusting to your better judgment. I am interested + about the Gongora, which I hope hereafter to try myself, as I have just + built a small hot-house. + </p> + <p> + Asa Gray's observations on the rostellum of Gymnadenia are very imperfect, + yet worth looking at. Your case of Imatophyllum is most interesting + (638/1. A sucker of Imatophyllum minatum threw up a shoot in which the + leaves were "two-ranked instead of four-ranked," and showed other + differences from the normal.—"Animals and Plants," Edition II., + Volume I., page 411.); even if the sport does not flower it will be worth + my giving. I did not understand, or I had forgotten, that a single frond + on a fern will vary; I now see that the case does come under + bud-variation, and must be given by me. I had thought of it only as proof + {of} inheritance in cryptogams; I am much obliged for your correction, and + will consult again your paper and Mr. Bridgeman's. (638/2. The facts are + given in "Animals and Plants," Edition II., Volume I., page 408.) I + enclose varieties of maize from Asa Gray. Pray do not thank me for + trusting you; the thanks ought to go the other way. I felt a conviction + after your first letter that you were a real lover of Natural History. + </p> + <p> + If you can advance good evidence showing that bisexual plants are more + variable than unisexual, it will be interesting. I shall be very glad to + read the discussion which you are preparing. I admit as fully as any one + can do that cross-impregnation is the great check to endless variability; + but I am not sure that I understand your view. I do not believe that the + structure of Primula has any necessary relation to a tendency to a + dioecious structure, but seeing the difference in the fertility of the two + forms, I felt bound unwillingly to admit that they might be a step towards + dioeciousness; I allude to this subject in my Linum paper. (638/3. "Linn. + Soc. Journal," 1863.) Thanks for your answers to my other queries. I + forgot to say that I was at Kew the other day, and I find that they can + give me capsules of several Vandeae. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 639. TO J. SCOTT. Down, March 24th {1863}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter, as every one you have written, has greatly interested me. If + you can show that certain individual Passifloras, under certain known or + unknown conditions of life, have stigmas capable of fertilisation by + pollen from another species, or from another individual of its own + species, yet not by its own individual pollen (its own individual pollen + being proved to be good by its action on some other species), you will add + a case of great interest to me; and which in my opinion would be quite + worth your publication. (639/1. Cases nearly similar to those observed by + Scott were recorded by Gartner and Kolreuter, but in these instances only + certain individuals were self-impotent. In "Animals and Plants," Edition + II., Volume II., page 114, where the phenomenon is fully discussed, + Scott's observations ("Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin." 1863) are given as the + earliest, except for one case recorded by Lecoq ("Fecondation," 1862). + Interesting work was afterwards done by Hildebrand and Fritz Muller, as + illustrated in many of the letters addressed to the latter.) I always + imagined that such recorded cases must be due to unnatural conditions of + life; and think I said so in the "Origin." (639/2. See "Origin of + Species," Edition I., page 251, for Herbert's observations on + self-impotence in Hippeastrum. In spite of the uniformness of the results + obtained in many successive years, Darwin inferred that the plants must + have been in an "unnatural state.") I am not sure that I understand your + result, {nor} whether it means what I have above obscurely expressed. If + you can prove the above, do publish; but if you will not publish I + earnestly beg you to let me have the facts in detail; but you ought to + publish, for I may not use the facts for years. I have been much + interested by what you say on the rostellum exciting pollen to protrude + tubes; but are you sure that the rostellum does excite them? Would not + tubes protrude if placed on parts of column or base of petals, etc., near + to the stigma? Please look at the "Cottage Gardener" (or "Journal of + Horticulture") (639/3. "Journal of Horticulture" and "Cottage Gardener," + March 31st, 1863. A short note describing Cruger's discovery of + self-fertilisation in Cattleya, Epidendrum, etc., and referring to the + work of "an excellent observer, Mr. J. Scott." Darwin adds that he is + convinced that he has underrated the power of tropical orchids + occasionally to produce seeds without the aid of insects.) to be published + to-morrow week for letter of mine, in which I venture to quote you, and in + which you will see a curious fact about unopened orchid flowers setting + seed in West Indies. Dr. Cruger attributes protrusion of tubes to ants + carrying stigmatic secretion to pollen (639/4. In Cruger's paper ("Linn. + Soc. Journ." VIII., 1865; read March 3rd 1864) he speaks of the + pollen-masses in situ being acted on by the stigmatic secretion, but no + mention is made of the agency of ants. He describes the pollen-tubes + descending "from the {pollen} masses still in situ down into the ovarian + canal."); but this is mere hypothesis. Remember, pollen-tubes protrude + within anther in Neottia nidus-avis. I did think it possible or probable + that perfect fertilisation might have been effected through rostellum. + What a curious case your Gongora must be: could you spare me one of the + largest capsules? I want to estimate the number of seed, and try my hand + if I can make them grow. This, however, is a foolish attempt, for Dr. + Hooker, who was here a day or two ago, says they cannot at Calcutta, and + yet imported species have seeded and have naturally spread on to the + adjoining trees! Dr. Cruger thinks I am wrong about Catasetum: but I + cannot understand his letter. He admits there are three forms in two + species; and he speaks as if the sexes were separate in some and that + others were hermaphrodites (639/5. Cruger ("Linn. Soc. Journal," VIII., + page 127) says that the apparently hermaphrodite form is always sterile in + Trinidad. Darwin modified his account in the second edition of the orchid + book.); but I cannot understand what he means. He has seen lots of great + humble-bees buzzing about the flowers with the pollinia sticking to their + backs! Happy man!! I have the promise, but not yet surety, of some curious + results with my homomorphic seedling cowslips: these have not followed the + rule of Chinese Primula; homomorphic seedlings from short-styled parent + have presented both forms, which disgusts me. + </p> + <p> + You will see that I am better; but still I greatly fear that I must have a + compulsory holiday. With sincere thanks and hearty admiration at your + powers of observation... + </p> + <p> + My poor P. scotica looks very sick which you so kindly sent me. (639/6. + Sent by Scott, January 6th, 1863.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 640. TO J. SCOTT. April 12th {1863}. + </p> + <p> + I really hardly know how to thank you enough for your very interesting + letter. I shall certainly use all the facts which you have given me (in a + condensed form) on the sterility of orchids in the work which I am now + slowly preparing for publication. But why do you not publish these facts + in a separate little paper? (640/1. See Letter 642, note, for reference to + Scott's paper.) They seem to me well worth it, and you really ought to get + your name known. I could equally well use them in my book. I earnestly + hope that you will experiment on Passiflora, and let me give your results. + Dr. A. Gray's observations were made loosely; he said in a letter he would + attend this summer further to the case, which clearly surprised him much. + I will say nothing about the rostellum, stigmatic utriculi, fertility of + Acropera and Catasetum, for I am completely bewildered: it will rest with + you to settle these points by your excellent observations and experiments. + I must own I never could help doubting Dr. Hooker's case of the poppy. You + may like to hear what I have seen this morning: I found (640/2. See Letter + 658.) a primrose plant with flowers having three pistils, which when + pulled asunder, without any tearing, allowed pollen to be placed on + ovules. This I did with three flowers—pollen-tubes did not protrude + after several days. But this day, the sixteenth (N.B.—primulas seem + naturally slowly fertilised), I found many tubes protruded, and, what is + very odd, they certainly seemed to have penetrated the coats of the + ovules, but in no one instance the foramen of the ovule!! I mention this + because it directly bears on your explanation of Dr. Cruger's case. + (640/3. Cruger's case here referred to is doubtless the cleistogamic + fertilisation of Epidendrum, etc. Scott discusses the question of + self-fertilisation at great length in a letter to Darwin dated April, and + obviously written in 1863. In Epidendrum he observed a viscid matter + extending from the stigmatic chamber to the anther: pollen-tubes had + protruded from the anther not only where it was in contact with the viscid + matter, but also from the central part, and these spread "over the + anterior surface of the rostellum downward into the stigma." Cruger + believed the viscid matter reaching the anther was a necessary condition + for the germination of the pollen-grains. Scott points out that the viscid + matter is produced in large quantity only after the pollen-grains have + penetrated the stigma, and that it is, in fact, a consequence, not a + preliminary to fertilisation. He finally explains Cruger's case thus: "The + greater humidity and equability of temperature consequent on such + conditions {i.e. on the flowers being closed} is, I believe, the probable + cause of these abnormally conditioned flowers so frequently fertilising + themselves." Scott also calls attention to the danger of being deceived by + fungal hyphae in observations on germination of pollen.) I believe that + your explanation is right; I should never have thought of it; yet this was + stupid of me, for I remember thinking that the almost closed imperfect + flowers of Viola and Oxalis were related to the protrusion of the + pollen-tubes. My case of the Aceras with the aborted labellum squeezed + against stigma supports your view. (640/4. See "Fertilisation of Orchids," + Edition II., page 258: the pollen germinated within the anther of a + monstrous flower.) Dr. Cruger's notion about the ants was a simple + conjecture. About cryptogamic filaments, remember Dr. C. says that the + unopened flowers habitually set fruit. I think that you will change your + views on the imperfect flowers of Viola and Oxalis... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 641. (?) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 642. TO J. SCOTT. May 2nd {1863}. + </p> + <p> + I have left home for a fortnight to see if I can, with little hope, + improve my health. The parcel of orchid pods, which you have so kindly + sent me, has followed me. I am sure you will forgive the liberty which I + take in returning you the postage stamps. I never heard of such a scheme + as that you were compelled to practise to fertilise the Gongora! (642/1. + See "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition, II., page 169. "Mr. Scott tried + repeatedly, but in vain, to force the pollen-masses into the stigma of + Gongora atro-purpurea and truncata; but he readily fertilised them by + cutting off the clinandrum and placing pollen-masses on the now exposed + stigma.") It is a most curious problem what plan Nature follows in this + genus and Acropera. (642/2. In the "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition + II., page 169, Darwin speculates as to the possible fertilisation of + Acropera by an insect with pollen-masses adhering to the extremity of its + abdomen. It would appear that this guess (which does not occur in the + first edition) was made before he heard of Cruger's observation on the + allied genus Gongora, which is visited by a bee with a long tongue, which + projects, when not in use, beyond and above the tip of the abdomen. Cruger + believes that this tongue is the pollinating agent. Cruger's account is in + the "Journal of the Linn. Soc." VIII., 1865, page 130.) Some day I will + try and estimate how many seeds there are in Gongora. I suppose and hope + you have kept notes on all your observations on orchids, for, with my + broken health and many other subjects, I do not know whether I shall ever + have time to publish again; though I have a large collection of notes and + facts ready. I think you show your wisdom in not wishing to publish too + soon; a young author who publishes every trifle gets, sometimes unjustly, + to be disregarded. I do not pretend to be much of a judge; but I can + conscientiously say that I have never written one word to you on the merit + of your letters that I do not fully believe in. Please remember that I + should very much wish for a copy of your paper on sterility of individual + orchids (642/3. "On the Individual Sterility and Cross-Impregnation of + Certain Species of Oncidium." {Read June 2nd, 1864.} "Linn. Soc. Journal," + VIII., 1865. This paper gives a full account of the self-sterility of + Oncidium in cases where the pollen was efficient in fertilising other + individuals of the same species and of distinct species. Some of the facts + were given in Scott's paper, "Experiments on the Fertilisation of Orchids + in the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh," published in the "Proc. Bot. + Soc. Edinb." 1863. It is probably to the latter paper that Darwin refers.) + and on Drosera. (642/4. "Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinburgh," Volume VII.) Thanks + for {note} about Campanula perfoliata. I have asked Asa Gray for seeds, to + whom I have mentioned your observations on rostellum, and asked him to + look closer to the case of Gymnadenia. (642/5. See "Fertilisation of + Orchids," Edition II., page 68.) Let me hear about the sporting + Imatophyllum if it flowers. Perhaps I have blundered about Primula; but + certainly not about mere protrusion of pollen-tubes. I have been idly + watching bees of several genera and diptera fertilising O. morio at this + place, and it is a very pretty sight. I have confirmed in several ways the + entire truth of my statement that there is no vestige of nectar in the + spur; but the insects perforate the inner coat. This seems to me a curious + little fact, which none of my reviewers have noticed. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 643. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, May 23rd {1863}. + </p> + <p> + You can confer a real service on a good man, John Scott, the writer of the + enclosed letter, by reading it and giving me your opinion. I assure {you} + John Scott is a truly remarkable man. The part struck out is merely that + he is not comfortable under Mr. McNab, and this part must be considered as + private. Now the question is, what think you of the offer? Is expense of + living high at Darjeeling? May I say it is healthy? Will he find the + opportunity for experimental observations, which are a passion with him? + It seems to me rather low pay. Will you advise me for him? I shall say + that as far as experiments in hand at the Botanical Garden in Edinburgh + are concerned, it would be a pity to hesitate to accept the offer. + </p> + <p> + J. Scott is head of the propagating department. I know you will not grudge + aiding by your advice a good man. I shall tell him that I have not the + slightest power to aid him in any way for the appointment. I should think + voyage out and home ought to be paid for? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 644. TO JOHN SCOTT. Down, May 25th, 1863. + </p> + <p> + Now for a few words on science. I do not think I could be mistaken about + the stigma of Bolbophyllum (644/1. Bolbophyllum is remarkable for the + closure of the stigmatic cavity which comes on after the flower has been + open a little while, instead of after fertilisation, as in other genera. + Darwin connects the fact with the "exposed condition of the whole flower."—"Fertilisation + of Orchids," Edition II., page 137.); I had the plant alive from Kew, and + watched many flowers. That is a most remarkable observation on foreign + pollen emitting tubes, but not causing orifice to close (644/2. See Scott, + "Bot. Soc. Edin." 1863, page 546, note. He applied pollinia from + Cypripedium and Asclepias to flowers of Tricopilia tortilis; and though + the pollen germinated, the stigmatic chamber remained open, yet it + invariably closes eighteen hours after the application of its own + pollen.); it would have been interesting to have observed how close an + alliance of form would have acted on the orifice of the stigma. It will + probably be so many years, if ever, {before} I work up my observations on + Drosera, that I will not trouble you to send your paper, for I could not + now find time to read it. If you have spare copy of your Orchid paper, + please send it, but do not get a copy of the journal, for I can get one, + and you must often want to buy books. Let me know when it is published. I + have been glad to hear about Mercurialis, but I will not accept your offer + of seed on account of time, time, time, and weak health. For the same + reason I must give up Primula mollis. What a wonderful, indefatigable + worker you are! You seem to have made a famous lot of interesting + experiments. D. Beaton once wrote that no man could cross any species of + Primula. You have apparently proved the contrary with a vengeance. Your + numerous experiments seem very well selected, and you will exhaust the + subject. Now when you have completed your work you should draw up a paper, + well worth publishing, and give a list of all the dimorphic and + non-dimorphic forms. I can give you, on the authority of Prof. Treviranus + in "Bot. Zeitung," case of P. longiflora non-dimorphic. I am surprised at + your cowslips in this state. Is it a common yellow cowslip? I have seen + oxlips (which from some experiments I now look at as certainly natural + hybrids) in same state. If you think the Botanical Society of Edinburgh + would not do justice and publish your paper, send it to me to be + communicated to the Linnean Society. I will delay my paper on successive + dimorphic generations in Primula (644/3. Published in the "Journ. Linn. + Soc." X., 1869 {1868}.) till yours appears, so as in no way to interfere + with your paper. Possibly my results may be hardly worth publishing, but I + think they will; the seedlings from two successive homomorphic generations + seem excessively sterile. I will keep this letter till I hear from Dr. + Hooker. I shall be very glad if you try Passiflora. Your experiments on + Primula seem so well chosen that whatever the result is they will be of + value. But always remember that not one naturalist out of a dozen cares + for really philosophical experiments. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 645. TO J. SCOTT. Down, May 31st {1863}. + </p> + <p> + I am unwell, and must write briefly. I am very much obliged for the + "Courant." (645/1. The Edinburgh "Evening Courant" used to publish notices + of the papers read at the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. The paper + referred to here was Scott's on Oncidium.) The facts will be of highest + use to me. I feel convinced that your paper will have permanent value. + Your case seems excellently and carefully worked out. I agree that the + alteration of title was unfortunate, but, after all, title does not + signify very much. So few have attended to such points that I do not + expect any criticism; but if so, I should think you had much better reply, + but I could if you wished it much. I quite understand about the cases + being individual sterility; so Gartner states it was with him. Would it be + worth while to send a corrected copy of the "Courant" to the "Gardeners' + Chronicle?" (645/2. An account of Scott's work appeared in the "Gardeners' + Chronicle," June 13th, 1863, which is, at least partly, a reprint of the + "Courant," since it contains the awkward sentence criticised by Darwin and + referred to below. The title is "On the Fertilisation of Orchids," which + was no doubt considered unfortunate as not suggesting the subject of the + paper, and as being the same as that of Darwin's book.) I did not know + that you had tried Lobelia fulgens: can you give me any particulars on the + number of plants and kinds used, etc., that I may quote, as in a few days + I shall be writing on this whole subject? No one will ever convince me + that it is not a very important subject to philosophical naturalists. The + Hibiscus seems a very curious case, and I agree with your remarks. You say + that you are glad of criticisms (by the way avoid "former and latter," the + reader is always forced to go back to look). I think you would have made + the case more striking if you had first showed that the pollen of Oncidium + sphacelatum was good; secondly, that the ovule was capable of + fertilisation; and lastly, shown that the plant was impotent with its own + pollen. "Impotence of organs capable of elimination"—capable here + strictly refers to organs; you mean to impotence. To eliminate impotence + is a curious expression; it is removing a non-existent quality. But style + is a trifle compared with facts, and you are capable of writing well. I + find it a good rule to imagine that I want to explain the case in as few + and simple words as possible to one who knows nothing of the subject. + (645/3. See Letter 151, Volume I.) I am tired. In my opinion you are an + excellent observer. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 646. TO J. SCOTT. Down, June 6th, 1863. + </p> + <p> + I fear that you think that I have done more than I have with respect to + Dr. Hooker. I did not feel that I had any right to ask him to remember you + for a colonial appointment: all that I have done is to speak most highly + of your scientific merits. Of course this may hereafter fructify. I really + think you cannot go on better, for educational purposes, than you are now + doing,—observing, thinking, and some reading beat, in my opinion, + all systematic education. Do not despair about your style; your letters + are excellently written, your scientific style is a little too ambitious. + I never study style; all that I do is to try to get the subject as clear + as I can in my own head, and express it in the commonest language which + occurs to me. But I generally have to think a good deal before the + simplest arrangement and words occur to me. Even with most of our best + English writers, writing is slow work; it is a great evil, but there is no + help for it. I am sure you have no cause to despair. I hope and suppose + your sending a paper to the Linnean Society will not offend your Edinburgh + friends; you might truly say that you sent the paper to me, and that (if + it turns out so) I thought it worth communicating to the Linnean Society. + I shall feel great interest in studying all your facts on Primula, when + they are worked out and the seed counted. Size of capsules is often very + deceptive. I am astonished how you can find time to make so many + experiments. If you like to send me your paper tolerably well written, I + would look it over and suggest any criticisms; but then this would cause + you extra copying. Remember, however, that Lord Brougham habitually wrote + everything important three times over. The cases of the Primulae which + lose by variation their dimorphic characters seem to me very interesting. + I find that the mid-styled (by variation) P. sinensis is more fertile with + own pollen, even, than a heteromorphic union! If you have time it will be + very good to experiment on Linum Lewisii. I wrote formerly to Asa Gray + begging for seed. If you have time, I think experiments on any peloric + flowers would be useful. I shall be sorry (and I am certain it is a + mistake on the part of the Society) if your orchid paper is not printed in + extenso. I am now at work compiling all such cases, and shall give a very + full abstract of all your observations. I hope to add in autumn some from + you on Passiflora. I would suggest to you the advantage, at present, of + being very sparing in introducing theory in your papers (I formerly erred + much in Geology in that way): LET THEORY GUIDE YOUR OBSERVATIONS, but till + your reputation is well established be sparing in publishing theory. It + makes persons doubt your observations. How rarely R. Brown ever indulged + in theory: too seldom perhaps! Do not work too hard, and do not be + discouraged because your work is not appreciated by the majority. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 647. TO J. SCOTT. July 2nd {1863?} + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for capsules. I would give table of the Auricula (647/1. In + Scott's paper ("Linn. Soc. Journ." VIII.) many experiments on the Auricula + are recorded.), especially owing to enclosed extract, which you can quote. + Your facts about varying fertility of the primulas will be appreciated by + but very few botanists; but I feel sure that the day will come when they + will be valued. By no means modify even in the slightest degree any + result. Accuracy is the soul of Natural History. It is hard to become + accurate; he who modifies a hair's breadth will never be accurate. It is a + golden rule, which I try to follow, to put every fact which is opposed to + one's preconceived opinion in the strongest light. Absolute accuracy is + the hardest merit to attain, and the highest merit. Any deviation is ruin. + Sincere thanks for all your laborious trials on Passiflora. I am very + busy, and have got two of my sons ill—I very much fear with scarlet + fever; if so, no more work for me for some days or weeks. I feel greatly + interested about your Primula cases. I think it much better to count seed + than to weigh. I wish I had never weighed; counting is more accurate, + though so troublesome. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 648. TO J. SCOTT. Down, 25th {1863?} + </p> + <p> + From what you say I looked again at "Bot. Zeitung." (648/1. "Ueber + Dichogamie," "Bot. Zeit." January 1863.) Treviranus speaks of P. + longiflora as short-styled, but this is evidently a slip of the pen, for + further on, I see, he says the stigma always projects beyond anthers. Your + experiments on coloured primroses will be most valuable if proved true. + (648/2. The reference seems to be to Scott's observation that the variety + rubra of the primrose was sterile when crossed with pollen from the common + primrose. Darwin's caution to Scott was in some measure justified, for in + his experiments on seedlings raised by self-fertilisation of the Edinburgh + plants, he failed to confirm Scott's result. See "Forms of Flowers," + Edition II., page 225. Scott's facts are in the "Journal Linn. Soc." + VIII., page 97 (read February 4th, 1864).) I will advise to best of my + power when I see MS. If evidence is not good I would recommend you, for + your reputation's sake, to try them again. It is not likely that you will + be anticipated, and it is a great thing to fully establish what in future + time will be considered an important discovery (or rediscovery, for no one + has noticed Gartner's facts). I will procure coloured primroses for next + spring, but you may rely I will not publish before you. Do not work too + hard to injure your health. I made some crosses between primrose and + cowslip, and I send the results, which you may use if you like. But + remember that I am not quite certain that I well castrated the + short-styled primrose; I believe any castration would be superfluous, as I + find all {these} plants sterile when insects are excluded. Be sure and + save seed of the crossed differently coloured primroses or cowslips which + produced least seed, to test the fertility of the quasi-hybrid seedlings. + Gartner found the common primrose and cowslip very difficult to cross, but + he knew nothing on dimorphism. I am sorry about delay {of} your orchid + paper; I should be glad of abstract of your new observations of + self-sterility in orchids, as I should probably use the new facts. There + will be an important paper in September in "Annals and Magazine of Natural + History," on ovules of orchids being formed after application of pollen, + by Dr. F. Hildebrand of Bonn. (648/3. "Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist." XII., 1863, + page 169. The paper was afterwards published in the "Bot. Zeitung," 1863.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 649. TO J. SCOTT. Down, November 7th {1863}. + </p> + <p> + Every day that I could do anything, I have read a few pages of your paper, + and have now finished it, and return it registered. (649/1. This refers to + the MS. of Scott's paper on the Primulaceae, "Linn. Soc. Journ." VIII. + {February 4th, 1864} 1865.) It has interested me deeply, and is, I am + sure, an excellent memoir. It is well arranged, and in most parts well + written. In the proof sheets you can correct a little with advantage. I + have suggested a few alterations in pencil for your consideration, and + have put in here and there a slip of paper. There will be no occasion to + rewrite the paper—only, if you agree with me, to alter a few pages. + When finished, return it to me, and I will with the highest satisfaction + communicate it to the Linnean Society. I should be proud to be the author + of the paper. I shall not have caused much delay, as the first meeting of + the Society was on November 5th. When your Primula paper is finished, if + you are so inclined, I should like to hear briefly about your Verbascum + and Passiflora experiments. I tried Verbascum, and have got the pods, but + do not know when I shall be able to see to the results. This subject might + make another paper for you. I may add that Acropera luteola was fertilised + by me, and had produced two fine pods. I congratulate you on your + excellent paper. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—In the summary to Primula paper can you conjecture what is the + typical or parental form, i.e. equal, long or short styled? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 650. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, {January 24th, 1864}. + </p> + <p> + (650/1. Darwin's interest in Scott's Primula work is shown by the + following extracts from a letter to Hooker of January 24th, 1864, written, + therefore, before the paper was read, and also by the subsequent + correspondence with Hooker and Asa Gray. The first part of this letter + illustrates Darwin's condition during a period of especially bad health.) + </p> + <p> + As I do nothing all day I often get fidgety, and I now fancy that Charlie + or some of your family {are} ill. When you have time let me have a short + note to say how you all are. I have had some fearful sickness; but what a + strange mechanism one's body is; yesterday, suddenly, I had a slight + attack of rheumatism in my back, and I instantly became almost well, and + so wonderfully strong that I walked to the hot-houses, which must be more + than a hundred yards. I have sent Scott's paper to the Linnean Society; I + feel sure it is really valuable, but I fear few will care about it. + Remember my URGENT wish to be able to send the poor fellow a word of + praise from any one. I have had work to get him to allow me to send the + paper to the Linnean Society, even after it was written out. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 651. TO J. SCOTT. Down, February 9th, 1864. + </p> + <p> + (651/1. Scott's paper on Primulaceae was read at the Linnean Society on + February 4th, 1864.) + </p> + <p> + The President, Mr. Bentham, I presume, was so much struck by your paper + that he sent me a message to know whether you would like to be elected an + associate. As only one is elected annually, this is a decided honour. The + enclosed list shows what respectable men are associates. I enclose the + rules of admission. I feel sure that the rule that if no communication is + received within three years the associate is considered to have + voluntarily withdrawn, is by no means rigorously adhered to. Therefore, I + advise you to accept; but of course the choice is quite free. You will see + there is no payment. You had better write to me on this subject, as Dr. + Hooker or I will propose you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 652. TO J.D. HOOKER. September 13th, 1864. + </p> + <p> + I have been greatly interested by Scott's paper. I probably overrate it + from caring for the subject, but it certainly seems to me one of the very + most remarkable memoirs on such subjects which I have ever read. From the + subject being complex, and the style in parts obscure, I suppose very few + will read it. I think it ought to be noticed in the "Natural History + Review," otherwise the more remarkable facts will never be known. Try and + persuade Oliver to do it; with the summary it would not be troublesome. I + would offer, but I have sworn to myself I will do nothing till my volume + on "Variation under Domestication" is complete. I know you will not have + time to read Scott, and therefore I will just point out the new and, as + they seem to me, important points. + </p> + <p> + Firstly, the red cowslip, losing its dimorphic structure and changing so + extraordinarily in its great production of seed with its own pollen, + especially being nearly sterile when fertilised by, or fertilising, the + common cowslip. The analogous facts with red and white primrose. Secondly, + the utter dissimilarity of action of the pollen of long- and short-styled + form of one species in crossing with a distinct species. And many other + points. Will you suggest to Oliver to review this paper? if he does so, + and if it would be of any service to him, I would (as I have attended so + much to these subjects) just indicate, with pages, leading and new points. + I could send him, if he wishes, a separate and spare copy marked with + pencil. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 653. TO ASA GRAY. September 13th {1864}. + </p> + <p> + (653/1. In September, 1864, Darwin wrote to Asa Gray describing Scott's + work on the Primulaceae as:—) + </p> + <p> + A paper which has interested me greatly by a gardener, John Scott; it + seems to me a most remarkable production, though written rather obscurely + in parts, but worth the labour of studying. I have just bethought me that + for the chance of your noticing it in the "Journal," I will point out the + new and very remarkable facts. I have paid the poor fellow's passage out + to India, where I hope he will succeed, as he is a most laborious and able + man, with the manners almost of a gentleman. + </p> + <p> + (653/2. The following is an abstract of the paper which was enclosed in + the letter to Asa Gray.) + </p> + <p> + Pages 106-8. Red cowslip by variation has become non-dimorphic, and with + this change of structure has become much more productive of seed than even + the heteromorphic union of the common cowslip. Pages 91-2, similar case + with Auricula; on the other hand a non-dimorphic variety of P. farinosa + (page 115) is less fertile. These changes, or variations, in the + generative system seem to me very remarkable. But far more remarkable is + the fact that the red cowslip (pages 106-8) is very sterile when + fertilising, or fertilised by the common cowslip. Here we have a new + "physiological species." Analogous facts given (page 98) on the crossing + of red and white primroses with common primroses. It is very curious that + the two forms of the same species (pages 93, 94, 95, and 117) hybridise + with extremely different degrees of facility with distinct species. + </p> + <p> + He shows (page 94) that sometimes a cross with a quite distinct species + yields more seed than a homomorphic union with own pollen. He shows (page + 111) that of the two homomorphic unions possible with each dimorphic + species the short-styled (as I stated) is the most sterile, and that my + explanation is probably true. There is a good summary to the paper. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 654. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (654/1. The following letters to Hooker, April 1st, April 5th and May + 22nd, refer to Darwin's scheme of employing Scott as an assistant at Down, + and to Scott's appointment to the Botanic Garden at Calcutta.) + </p> + <p> + Down, April 1st, 1864. + </p> + <p> + I shall not at present allude to your very interesting letter (which as + yet has been read to me only twice!), for I am full of a project which I + much want you to consider. + </p> + <p> + You will have seen Scott's note. He tells me he has no plans for the + future. Thinking over all his letters, I believe he is a truly remarkable + man. He is willing to follow suggestions, but has much originality in + varying his experiments. I believe years may pass before another man + appears fitted to investigate certain difficult and tedious points—viz. + relative fertility of varieties of plants, including peloric and other + monsters (already Scott has done excellent work on this head); and, + secondly, whether a plant's own pollen is less effective than that of + another individual. Now, if Scott is moderate in his wishes, I would pay + him for a year or two to work and publish on these or other such subjects + which might arise. But I dare not have him here, for it would quite + overwork me. There would not be plants sufficient for his work, and it + would probably be an injury to himself, as it would put him out of the way + of getting a good situation. Now, I believe you have gardeners at Kew who + work and learn there without pay. What do you think of having Scott there + for a year or two to work and experiment? I can see enormous difficulties. + In the first place you will not perhaps think the points indicated so + highly important as I do. Secondly, he would require ground in some + out-of-the-way place where the plants could be covered by a net, which + would be unsightly. On the other hand, I presume you would like a series + of memoirs published on work done at Kew, which I am fully convinced would + have permanent value. It would, of course I conceive, be absolutely + necessary that Scott should be under the regular orders of the + superintendent. The only way I can fancy that it could be done would be to + explain to the superintendent that I temporarily supported Scott solely + for the sake of science, and appeal to his kindness to assist him. If you + approved of having him (which I can see is improbable), and you simply + ordered the superintendent to assist him, I believe everything would go to + loggerheads. As for Scott himself, it would be of course an advantage to + him to study the cultivation at Kew. You would get to know him, and if he + really is a good man you could perhaps be able to recommend him to some + situation at home or abroad. Pray turn this {over} in your mind. I have no + idea whether Scott would like the place, but I can see that he has a + burning zeal for science. He told me that his parents were in better + circumstances, and that he chose a gardener's life solely as the best way + of following science. I may just add that in his last letter he gives me + the results of many experiments on different individuals of the same + species of orchid, showing the most remarkable diversity in their sexual + condition. It seems to me a grievous loss that such a man should have all + his work cut short. Please remember that I know nothing of him excepting + from his letters: these show remarkable talent, astonishing perseverance, + much modesty, and what I admire, determined difference from me on many + points. + </p> + <p> + What will Sir William say? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 655. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, April 5th {1864}. + </p> + <p> + I see my scheme for Scott has invincible difficulties, and I am very much + obliged to you for explaining them at such length. If ever I get decently + well, and Scott is free and willing, I will have him here for a couple of + years to work out several problems, which otherwise would never be done. I + cannot see what will become of the poor fellow. I enclose a little + pamphlet from him, which I suppose is not of much scientific value, but is + surprising as the work of a gardener. If you have time do just glance over + it. I never heard anything so extraordinary as what you say about + poisoning plants, etc. + </p> + <p> + ...The post has just come in. Your interest about Scott is extraordinarily + kind, and I thank you cordially. It seems absurd to say so, but I suspect + that X is prejudiced against Scott because he partially supports my views. + (655/1. In a letter to Scott (dated June 11th) Darwin warns him to keep + his views "pretty quiet," and quotes Hooker's opinion that "if it is known + that you agree at all with my views on species it is enough to make you + unpopular in Edinburgh.") + </p> + <p> + You must not trust my former letter about Clematis. I worked on too old a + plant, and blundered. I have now gone over the work again. It is really + curious that the stiff peduncles are acted upon by a bit of thread + weighing .062 of a grain. + </p> + <p> + Clematis glandulosa was a valuable present to me. My gardener showed it to + me and said, "This is what they call a Clematis," evidently disbelieving + it. So I put a little twig to the peduncle, and the next day my gardener + said, "You see it is a Clematis, for it feels." That's the way we make out + plants at Down. + </p> + <p> + My dear old friend, God bless you! + </p> + <p> + LETTER 656. TO J.D. HOOKER. {May 22nd, 1864}. + </p> + <p> + What a good kind heart you have got. You cannot tell how your letter has + pleased me. I will write to Scott and ask him if he chooses to go out and + risk engagement. If he will not he must want all energy. He says himself + he wants stoicism, and is too sensitive. I hope he may not want courage. I + feel sure he is a remarkable man, with much good in him, but no doubt many + errors and blemishes. I can vouch for his high intellect (in my judgment + he is the best observer I ever came across); for his modesty, at least in + correspondence; and there is something high-minded in his determination + not to receive money from me. I shall ask him whether he can get a good + character for probity and sobriety, and whether he can get aid from his + relations for his voyage out. I will help, and, if necessary, pay the + whole voyage, and give him enough to support him for some weeks at + Calcutta. I will write when I hear from him. God bless you; you, who are + so overworked, are most generous to take so much trouble about a man you + have had nothing to do with. + </p> + <p> + (656/1. Scott had left the Botanic Gardens at Edinburgh in March 1864, + chagrined at what, justly or unjustly, he considered discouragement and + slight. The Indian offer was most gladly and gratefully accepted.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 657. TO J. SCOTT. Down, November 1st, 1871. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Hooker has forwarded to me your letter as the best and simplest plan + of explaining affairs. I am sincerely grieved to hear of the pecuniary + problem which you have undergone, but now fortunately passed. I assure you + that I have never entertained any feelings in regard to you which you + suppose. Please to remember that I distinctly stated that I did not + consider the sum which I advanced as a loan, but as a gift; and surely + there is nothing discreditable to you, under the circumstances, in + receiving a gift from a rich man, as I am. Therefore I earnestly beg you + to banish the whole subject from your mind, and begin laying up something + for yourself in the future. I really cannot break my word and accept + payment. Pray do not rob me of my small share in the credit of aiding to + put the right man in the right place. You have done good work, and I am + sure will do more; so let us never mention the subject again. + </p> + <p> + I am, after many interruptions, at work again on my essay on Expression, + which was written out once many months ago. I have found your remarks the + best of all which have been sent me, and so I state. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2.XI.—BOTANY, 1863-1881. + </h2> + <p> + 2.XI.I. Miscellaneous, 1863-1866.—2.XI.II. Correspondence with Fritz + Muller, 1865-1881.—2.XI.III. Miscellaneous, 1868-1881. + </p> + <p> + 2.XI.I. MISCELLANEOUS, 1863-1866. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 658. TO D. OLIVER. Down {April, 1863}. + </p> + <p> + (658/1. The following letter illustrates the truth of Sir W. + Thiselton-Dyer's remark that Darwin was never "afraid of his facts." + (658/2. "Charles Darwin" (Nature Series), 1882, page 43.) The entrance of + pollen-tubes into the nucellus by the chalaza, instead of through the + micropyle, was first fully demonstrated by Treub in his paper "Sur les + Casuarinees et leur place dans le Systeme naturel," published in the "Ann. + Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg," X., 1891. Two years later Miss Benson gave an + account of a similar phenomenon in certain Amentiferae ("Trans. Linn. + Soc." 1888-94, page 409). This chalazogamic method of fertilisation has + since been recognised in other flowering plants, but not, so far as we are + aware, in the genus Primula.) + </p> + <p> + It is a shame to trouble {you}, but will you tell me whether the ovule of + Primula is "anatropal," nearly as figured by Gray, page 123, "Lessons in + Botany," or rather more tending to "amphitropal"? I never looked at such a + point before. Why I am curious to know is because I put pollen into the + ovarium of monstrous primroses, and now, after sixteen days, and not + before (the length of time agrees with slowness of natural impregnation), + I find abundance of pollen-tubes emitted, which cling firmly to the + ovules, and, I think I may confidently state, penetrate the ovule. But + here is an odd thing: they never once enter at (what I suppose to be) the + "orifice," but generally at the chalaza...Do you know how pollen-tubes go + naturally in Primula? Do they run down walls of ovarium, and then turn up + the placenta, and so debouch near the "orifices" of the ovules? + </p> + <p> + If you thought it worth while to examine ovules, I would see if there are + more monstrous flowers, and put pollen into the ovarium, and send you the + flowers in fourteen or fifteen days afterwards. But it is rather + troublesome. I would not do it unless you cared to examine the ovules. + Like a foolish and idle man, I have wasted a whole morning over them... + </p> + <p> + In two ovules there was an odd appearance, as if the outer coat of ovule + at the chalaza end (if I understand the ovule) had naturally opened or + withered where most of the pollen-tubes seemed to penetrate, which made me + at first think this was a widely open foramen. I wonder whether the ovules + could be thus fertilised? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 659. TO D. OLIVER. Down {April, 1863}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks about the Primula. I see that I was pretty right about the + ovules. I have been thinking that the apparent opening at the chalaza end + must have been withering or perhaps gnawing by some very minute insects, + as the ovarium is open at the upper end. If I have time I will have + another look at pollen-tubes, as, from what you say, they ought to find + their way to the micropyle. But ovules to me are far more troublesome to + dissect than animal tissue; they are so soft, and muddy the water. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 660. TO MAXWELL MASTERS. Down, April 6th {1863}. + </p> + <p> + I have been very glad to read your paper on Peloria. (660/1. "On the + Existence of Two Forms of Peloria." "Natural History Review," April, 1863, + page 258.) For the mere chance of the following case being new I send it. + A plant which I purchased as Corydalis tuberosa has, as you know, one + nectary—short, white, and without nectar; the pistil is bowed + towards the true nectary; and the hood formed by the inner petals slips + off towards the opposite side (all adaptations to insect agency, like many + other pretty ones in this family). Now on my plants there are several + flowers (the fertility of which I will observe) with both nectaries equal + and purple and secreting nectar; the pistil is straight, and the hood + slips off either way. In short, these flowers have the exact structure of + Dielytra and Adlumia. Seeing this, I must look at the case as one of + reversion; though it is one of the spreading of irregularity to two sides. + </p> + <p> + As columbine {Aquilegia} has all petals, etc., irregular, and as monkshood + {Aconitum} has two petals irregular, may not the case given by Seringe, + and referred to {by} you (660/2. "Seringe describes and figures a flower + {of Aconitum} wherein all the sepals were helmet-shaped," and the petals + similarly affected. Maxwell Masters, op. cit., page 260.), by you be + looked at as reversion to the columbine state? Would it be too bold to + suppose that some ancient Linaria, or allied form, and some ancient Viola, + had all petals spur-shaped, and that all cases of "irregular peloria" in + these genera are reversions to such imaginary ancient form? (660/3. + "'Regular or Congenital Peloria' would include those flowers which, + contrary to their usual habit, retain throughout the whole of their growth + their primordial regularity of form and equality of proportion. 'Irregular + or Acquired Peloria,' on the other hand, would include those flowers in + which the irregularity of growth that ordinarily characterises some + portions of the corolla is manifested in all of them." Maxwell Masters, + loc. cit.) + </p> + <p> + It seems to me, in my ignorance, that it would be advantageous to consider + the two forms of Peloria WHEN OCCURRING IN THE VERY SAME SPECIES as + probably due to the same general law—viz., one as reversion to very + early state, and the other as reversion to a later state when all the + petals were irregularly formed. This seems at least to me a priori a more + probable view than to look at one form of Peloria as due to reversion and + the other as something distinct. (660/4. See Maxwell Masters, "Vegetable + Teratology," 1869, page 235; "Variation of Animals and Plants," Edition + II., Volume II., page 33.) + </p> + <p> + What do you think of this notion? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 661. TO P.H. GOSSE. + </p> + <p> + (661/1. The following was written in reply to Mr. Gosse's letter of May + 30th asking for a solution of his difficulties in fertilising Stanhopea. + It is reprinted by the kind permission of Mr. Edmund Gosse from his + delightful book, the "Life of Philip Henry Gosse," London, 1890, page + 299.) + </p> + <p> + Down, June 2nd, 1863. + </p> + <p> + It would give me real pleasure to resolve your doubts, but I cannot. I can + give only suspicions and my grounds for them. I should think the + non-viscidity of the stigmatic hollow was due to the plant not living + under its natural conditions. Please see what I have said on Acropera. An + excellent observer, Mr. J. Scott, of the Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh, + finds all that I say accurate, but, nothing daunted, he with the knife + enlarged the orifice and forced in pollen-masses; or he simply stuck them + into the contracted orifice without coming into contact with the stigmatic + surface, which is hardly at all viscid, when, lo and behold, pollen-tubes + were emitted and fine seed capsules obtained. This was effected with + Acropera Loddigesii; but I have no doubt that I have blundered badly about + A. luteola. I mention all this because, as Mr. Scott remarks, as the plant + is in our hot-houses, it is quite incredible it ever could be fertilised + in its native land. The whole case is an utter enigma to me. Probably you + are aware that there are cases (and it is one of the oddest facts in + Physiology) of plants which, under culture, have their sexual functions in + so strange a condition, that though their pollen and ovules are in a sound + state and can fertilise and be fertilised by distinct but allied species, + they cannot fertilise themselves. Now, Mr. Scott has found this the case + with certain orchids, which again shows sexual disturbance. He had read a + paper at the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, and I daresay an abstract + which I have seen will appear in the "Gardeners' Chronicle"; but blunders + have crept in in copying, and parts are barely intelligible. How insects + act with your Stanhopea I will not pretend to conjecture. In many cases I + believe the acutest man could not conjecture without seeing the insect at + work. I could name common English plants in this predicament. But the + musk-orchis {Herminium monorchis} is a case in point. Since publishing, my + son and myself have watched the plant and seen the pollinia removed, and + where do you think they invariably adhere in dozens of specimens?—always + to the joint of the femur with the trochanter of the first pair of legs, + and nowhere else. When one sees such adaptation as this, it would be + hopeless to conjecture on the Stanhopea till we know what insect visits + it. I have fully proved that my strong suspicion was correct that with + many of our English orchids no nectar is excreted, but that insects + penetrate the tissues for it. So I expect it must be with many foreign + species. I forgot to say that if you find that you cannot fertilise any of + your exotics, take pollen from some allied form, and it is quite probable + that will succeed. Will you have the kindness to look occasionally at your + bee-Ophrys near Torquay, and see whether pollinia are ever removed? It is + my greatest puzzle. Please read what I have said on it, and on O. + arachnites. I have since proved that the account of the latter is correct. + I wish I could have given you better information. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—If the Flowers of the Stanhopea are not too old, remove + pollen-masses from their pedicels, and stick them with a little liquid + pure gum to the stigmatic cavity. After the case of the Acropera, no one + can dare positively say that they would not act. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 662. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, Saturday, 5th {December 1863}. + </p> + <p> + I am very glad that this will reach you at Kew. You will then get rest, + and I do hope some lull in anxiety and fear. Nothing is so dreadful in + this life as fear; it still sickens me when I cannot help remembering some + of the many illnesses our children have endured. My father, who was a + sceptical man, was convinced that he had distinctly traced several cases + of scarlet fever to handling letters from convalescents. + </p> + <p> + The vases (662/1. Probably Wedgwood ware.) did come from my sister Susan. + She is recovering, and was much pleased to hear that you liked them; I + have now sent one of your notes to her, in which you speak of them as + "enchanting," etc. I have had a bad spell—vomiting, every day for + eleven days, and some days many times after every meal. It is astonishing + the degree to which I keep up some strength. Dr. Brinton was here two days + ago, and says he sees no reason {why} I may not recover my former degree + of health. I should like to live to do a little more work, and often I + feel sure I shall, and then again I feel that my tether is run out. + </p> + <p> + Your Hastings note, my dear old fellow, was a Copley Medal to me and more + than a Copley Medal: not but what I know well that you overrate what I + have been able to do. (662/2. The proposal to give the medal to Darwin + failed in 1863, but his friends were successful in 1864: see "Life and + Letters," III., page 28.) Now that I am disabled, I feel more than ever + what a pleasure observing and making out little difficulties is. By the + way, here is a very little fact which may interest you. A partridge foot + is described in "Proc. Zoolog. Soc." with a huge ball of earth attached to + it as hard as rock. (662/3. "Proc. Zool. Soc." 1863, page 127, by Prof. + Newton, who sent the foot to Darwin: see "Origin," Edition VI., page 328.) + Bird killed in 1860. Leg has been sent me, and I find it diseased, and no + doubt the exudation caused earth to accumulate; now already thirty-two + plants have come up from this ball of earth. + </p> + <p> + By Jove! I must write no more. Good-bye, my best of friends. + </p> + <p> + There is an Italian edition of the "Origin" preparing. This makes the + fifth foreign edition—i.e. in five foreign countries. Owen will not + be right in telling Longmans that the book would be utterly forgotten in + ten years. Hurrah! + </p> + <p> + LETTER 663. TO D. OLIVER. Down, February 17th {1864}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for the Epacrids, which I have kept, as they will interest me + when able to look through the microscope. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Cruger has sent me the enclosed paper, with power to do what I think + fit with it. He would evidently prefer it to appear in the "Nat. Hist. + Review." Please read it, and let me have your decision pretty soon. Some + germanisms must be corrected; whether woodcuts are necessary I have not + been able to pay attention enough to decide. If you refuse, please send it + to the Linnean Society as communicated by me. (663/1. H. Cruger's "A Few + Notes on the Fecundation of Orchids, etc." {Read March, 1864.} "Linn. Soc. + Journ." VIII., 1864-5, page 127.) The paper has interested me extremely, + and I shall have no peace till I have a good boast. The sexes are separate + in Catasetum, which is a wonderful relief to me, as I have had two or + three letters saying that the male C. tridentatum seeds. (663/2. See + footnote Letter 608 on the sexual relation between the three forms known + as Catasetum tridentatum, Monacanthus viridis, and Myanthus barbatus. For + further details see Darwin, "Linn. Soc. Journ." VI., 1862, page 151, and + "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 196.) It is pretty clear to + me that two or three forms are confounded under this name. Observe how + curiously nearly perfect the pollen of the female is, according to Cruger,—certainly + more perfect than the pollen from the Guyana species described by me. I + was right in the manner in which the pollen adheres to the hairy back of + the humble-bee, and hence the force of the ejection of the pollina. + (663/3. This view was given in "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition I., + 1862, page 230.) I am still more pleased that I was right about insects + gnawing the fleshy labellum. This is important, as it explains all the + astounding projections on the labellum of Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, etc. + </p> + <p> + Excuse all my boasting. It is the best medicine for my stomach. Tell me + whether you mean to take up orchids, as Hooker said you were thinking of + doing. Do you know Coryanthes, with its wonderful basket of water? See + what Cruger says about it. It beats everything in orchids. (663/4. For + Coryanthes see "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 173.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 664. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down {September 13th, 1864}. + </p> + <p> + Thanks for your note of the 5th. You think much and greatly too much of me + and my doings; but this is pleasant, for you have represented for many + years the whole great public to me. + </p> + <p> + I have read with interest Bentham's address on hybridism. I am glad that + he is cautious about Naudin's view, for I cannot think that it will hold. + (664/1. C. Naudin's "Nouvelles Recherches sur l'Hydridite dans les + Vegetaux." The complete paper, with coloured plates, was presented to the + Academy in 1861, and published in full in the "Nouvelles Archives de + Museum d'Hist. Nat." Volume I., 1865, page 25. The second part only + appeared in the "Ann. Sci. Nat." XIX., 1863. Mr. Bentham's address dealing + with hybridism is in "Proc. Linn. Soc." VIII., 1864, page ix. A review of + Naudin is given in the "Natural History Review," 1864, page 50. Naudin's + paper is of much interest, as containing a mechanical theory of + reproduction of the same general character as that of pangenesis. In the + "Variation of Animals and Plants," Edition II., Volume II., page 395, + Darwin states that in his treatment of hybridism in terms of gemmules he + is practically following Naudin's treatment of the same theme in terms of + "essences." Naudin, however, does not clearly distinguish between hybrid + and pure gemmules, and makes the assumption that the hybrid or mixed + essences tend constantly to dissociate into pure parental essences, and + thus lead to reversion. It is to this view that Darwin refers when he says + that Naudin's view throws no light on the reversion to long-lost + characters. His own attempt at explaining this fact occurs in "Variation + under Domestication," II., Edition II., page 395. Mr. Bateson ("Mendel's + Principle of Heredity," Cambridge, 1902, page 38) says: "Naudin clearly + enuntiated what we shall henceforth know as the Mendelian conception of + the dissociation of characters of cross-breds in the formation of the + germ-cells, though apparently he never developed this conception." It is + remarkable that, as far as we know, Darwin never in any way came across + Mendel's work. One of Darwin's correspondents, however, the late Mr. T. + Laxton, of Stamford, was close on the trail of Mendelian principle. Mr. + Bateson writes (op. cit., page 181): "Had he {Laxton} with his other gifts + combined this penetration which detects a great principle hidden in the + thin mist of 'exceptions,' we should have been able to claim for him that + honour which must ever be Mendel's in the history of discovery.") The + tendency of hybrids to revert to either parent is part of a wider law + (which I am fully convinced that I can show experimentally), namely, that + crossing races as well as species tends to bring back characters which + existed in progenitors hundreds and thousands of generations ago. Why this + should be so, God knows. But Naudin's view throws no light, that I can + see, on this reversion of long-lost characters. I wish the Ray Society + would translate Gartner's "Bastarderzeugung"; it contains more valuable + matter than all other writers put together, and would do great service if + better known. (664/2. "Versuche uber die Bastarderzeugung im + Pflanzenreich": Stuttgart, 1849.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 665. TO T.H. HUXLEY. + </p> + <p> + (665/1. Mr. Huxley had doubted the accuracy of observations on Catasetum + published in the "Fertilisation of Orchids." In what formed the postscript + to the following letter, Darwin wrote: "I have had more Catasetums,—all + right, you audacious 'caviller.'") + </p> + <p> + Down, October 31st {1862}. + </p> + <p> + In a little book, just published, called the "Three Barriers" (a + theological hash of old abuse of me), Owen gives to the author a new + resume of his brain doctrine; and I thought you would like to hear of + this. He ends with a delightful sentence. "No science affords more scope + or easier ground for the caviller and controversialist; and these do good + by preventing scholars from giving more force to generalisations than the + master propounding them does, or meant his readers or hearers to give." + </p> + <p> + You will blush with pleasure to hear that you are of some use to the + master. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 666. TO J.D. HOOKER. {February, 1864?} + </p> + <p> + I shall write again. I write now merely to ask, if you have Naravelia + (666/1. Ranunculaceae.) (the Clematis-like plant told me by Oliver), to + try and propagate me a plant at once. Have you Clematis cirrhosa? It will + amuse me to tell you why Clematis interests me, and why I should so very + much like to have Naravelia. The leaves of Clematis have no spontaneous + movement, nor have the internodes; but when by growth the peduncles of + leaves are brought into contact with any object, they bend and catch hold. + The slightest stimulus suffices, even a bit of cotton thread a few inches + long; but the stimulus must be applied during six or twelve hours, and + when the peduncles once bend, though the touching object be removed, they + never get straight again. Now mark the difference in another leaf-climber—viz., + Tropaeolum: here the young internodes revolve day and night, and the + peduncles of the leaves are thus brought into contact with an object, and + the slightest momentary touch causes them to bend in any direction and + catch the object, but as the axis revolves they must be often dragged away + without catching, and then the peduncles straighten themselves again, and + are again ready to catch. So that the nervous system of Clematis feels + only a prolonged touch—that of Tropaeolum a momentary touch: the + peduncles of the latter recover their original position, but Clematis, as + it comes into contact by growth with fixed objects, has no occasion to + recover its position, and cannot do so. You did send me Flagellaria, but + most unfortunately young plants do not have tendrils, and I fear my plant + will not get them for another year, and this I much regret, as these + leaf-tendrils seem very curious, and in Gloriosa I could not make out the + action, but I have now a young plant of Gloriosa growing up (as yet with + simple leaves) which I hope to make out. Thank Oliver for decisive answer + about tendrils of vines. It is very strange that tendrils formed of + modified leaves and branches should agree in all their four highly + remarkable properties. I can show a beautiful gradation by which LEAVES + produce tendrils, but how the axis passes into a tendril utterly puzzles + me. I would give a guinea if vine-tednrils could be found to be leaves. + </p> + <p> + (666/2. It is an interesting fact that Darwin's work on climbing plants + was well advanced before he discovered the existence of the works of Palm, + Mohl, and Dutrochet on this subject. On March 22nd, 1864, he wrote to + Hooker:—"You quite overrate my tendril work, and there is no + occasion to plague myself about priority." In June he speaks of having + read "two German books, and all, I believe, that has been written on + climbers, and it has stirred me up to find that I have a good deal of new + matter.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 667. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, June 2nd {1864}. + </p> + <p> + You once offered me a Combretum. (667/1. The two forms of shoot in C. + argenteum are described in "Climbing Plants," page 41.) I having C. + purpureum, out of modesty like an ass refused. Can you now send me a + plant? I have a sudden access of furor about climbers. Do you grow Adlumia + cirrhosa? Your seed did not germinate with me. Could you have a seedling + dug up and potted? I want it fearfully, for it is a leaf-climber, and + therefore sacred. + </p> + <p> + I have some hopes of getting Adlumia, for I used to grow the plant, and + seedlings have often come up, and we are now potting all minute + reddish-coloured weeds. (667/2. We believe that the Adlumia which came up + year by year in flower boxes in the Down verandah grew from seed supplied + by Asa Gray.) I have just got a plant with sensitive axis, quite a new + case; and tell Oliver I now do not care at all how many tendrils he makes + axial, which at one time was a cruel torture to me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 668. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, November 3rd {1864}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your splendid long letter. But first for business. Please + look carefully at the enclosed specimen of Dicentra thalictriformis, and + throw away. (668/1. Dicentra thalictrifolia, a Himalayan species of + Fumariaceae, with leaf-tendrils.) When the plant was young I concluded + certainly that the tendrils were axial, or modified branches, which Mohl + says is the case with some Fumariaceae. (668/2. "Ueber den Bau und das + Winden der Ranken und Schlingpflanzen. Eine gekronte Preisschrift," 4to, + Tubingen, 1827. At page 43 Mohl describes the tips of the branches of + Fumaria {Corydalis} clavicualta as being developed into tendrils, as well + as the leaves. For this reason Darwin placed the plant among the + tendril-bearers rather than among the true leaf-climbers: see "Climbing + Plants," Edition II., 1875, page 121.) You looked at them here and agreed. + But now the plant is old, what I thought was a branch with two leaves and + ending in a tendril looks like a gigantic leaf with two compound leaflets, + and the terminal part converted into a tendril. For I see buds in the fork + between supposed branch and main stem. Pray look carefully—you know + I am profoundly ignorant—and save me from a horrid mistake. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 669. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (669/1. The following is interesting, as containing a foreshadowing of the + chemotaxis of antherozoids which was shown to exist by Pfeffer in 1881: + see "Untersuchungen aus dem botanischen Institut zu Tubingen," Volume I., + page 363. There are several papers by H.J. Carter on the reproduction of + the lower organisms in the "Annals and Magazine of Natural History" + between 1855 and 1865.) + </p> + <p> + Down, Sunday, 22nd, and Saturday, 28th {October, 1865}. + </p> + <p> + I have been wading through the "Annals and Mag. of N. History." for last + ten years, and have been interested by several papers, chiefly, however, + translations; but none have interested me more than Carter's on lower + vegetables, infusoria, and protozoa. Is he as good a workman as he + appears? for if so he would deserve a Royal medal. I know it is not new; + but how wonderful his account of the spermatozoa of some dioecious alga or + conferva, swimming and finding the minute micropyle in a distinct plant, + and forcing its way in! Why, these zoospores must possess some sort of + organ of sense to guide their locomotive powers to the small micropyle; + and does not this necessarily imply something like a nervous system, in + the same way as complemental male cirripedes have organs of sense and + locomotion, and nothing else but a sack of spermatozoa? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 670. TO F. HILDEBRAND. May 16th, 1866. + </p> + <p> + Since writing to you before, I have read your admirable memoir on Salvia + (670/1. "Pringsheim's Jahrbucher," Volume IV., 1866.), and it has + interested me almost as much as when I first investigated the structure of + orchids. Your paper illustrates several points in my "Origin of Species," + especially the transition of organs. Knowing only two or three species in + the genus, I had often marvelled how one cell of the anther could have + been transformed into the moveable plate or spoon; and how well you show + the gradations. But I am surprised that you did not more strongly insist + on this point. + </p> + <p> + I shall be still more surprised if you do not ultimately come to the same + belief with me, as shown by so many beautiful contrivances,—that all + plants require, from some unknown cause, to be occasionally fertilised by + pollen from a distinct individual. + </p> + <p> + (PLATE: FRITZ MULLER.) 2.XI.II. CORRESPONDENCE WITH FRITZ MULLER, + 1865-1881. + </p> + <p> + (671/1. The letters from Darwin to Muller are given as a separate group, + instead of in chronological sequence with the other botanical letters, as + better illustrating the uninterrupted friendship and scientific + comradeship of the two naturalists.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 671. TO F. MULLER. Down, October 17th {1865}. + </p> + <p> + I received about a fortnight ago your second letter on climbing plants, + dated August 31st. It has greatly interested me, and it corrects and fills + up a great hiatus in my paper. As I thought you could not object, I am + having your letter copied, and will send the paper to the Linnean Society. + (671/2. "Notes on some of the Climbing Plants near Desterro" {1865}, + "Linn. Soc. Journ." IX., 1867.) I have slightly modified the arrangement + of some parts and altered only a few words, as you write as good English + as an Englishman. I do not quite understand your account of the + arrangement of the leaves of Strychnos, and I think you use the word + "bracteae" differently to what English authors do; therefore I will get + Dr. Hooker to look over your paper. + </p> + <p> + I cannot, of course, say whether the Linnean Society will publish your + paper; but I am sure it ought to do so. As the Society is rather poor, I + fear that it will give only a few woodcuts from your truly admirable + sketches. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 672. TO F. MULLER. + </p> + <p> + (672/1. In Darwin's book on Climbing Plants, 1875 (672/2. First given as a + paper before the Linnean Society, and published in the "Linn. Soc. Journ." + Volume IX.,), he wrote (page 205): "The conclusion is forced on our minds + that the capacity of revolving, on which most climbing plants depend, is + inherent, though undeveloped, in almost every plant in the vegetable + Kingdom"—a conclusion which was verified in the "Power of Movement + in Plants." The present letter is interesting in referring to Fritz + Muller's observations on the "revolving nutation," or circumnutation of + Alisma macrophylla and Linum usitatissimum, the latter fact having been + discovered by F. Muller's daughter Rosa. This was probably the earliest + observation on the circumnutation of a non-climbing plant, and Muller, in + a paper dated 1868, and published in Volume V. of the "Jenaische + Zeitschrift," page 133, calls attention to its importance in relation to + the evolution of the habit of climbing. The present letter was probably + written in 1865, since it refers to Muller's paper read before the Linnean + Soc. on December 7th, 1865. If so, the facts on circumnutation must have + been communicated to Darwin some years before their publication in the + "Jenaische Zeitschrift.") + </p> + <p> + Down, December 9th {1865}. + </p> + <p> + I have received your interesting letter of October 10th, with its new + facts on branch-tendrils. If the Linnean Society publishes your paper + (672/3. Ibid., 1867, page 344.), as I am sure it ought to do, I will + append a note with some of these new facts. + </p> + <p> + I forwarded immediately your MS. to Professor Max Schultze, but I did not + read it, for German handwriting utterly puzzles me, and I am so weak, I am + capable of no exertion. I took the liberty, however, of asking him to send + me a copy, if separate ones are printed, and I reminded him about the + Sponge paper. + </p> + <p> + You will have received before this my book on orchids, and I wish I had + known that you would have preferred the English edition. Should the German + edition fail to reach you, I will send an English one. That is a curious + observation of your daughter about the movement of the apex of the stem of + Linum, and would, I think, be worth following out. (672/4. F. Muller, + "Jenaische Zeitschrift," Bd. V., page 137. Here, also, are described the + movements of Alisma.) I suspect many plants move a little, following the + sun; but all do not, for I have watched some pretty carefully. + </p> + <p> + I can give you no zoological news, for I live the life of the most + secluded hermit. + </p> + <p> + I occasionally hear from Ernest Hackel, who seems as determined as you are + to work out the subject of the change of species. You will have seen his + curious paper on certain medusae reproducing themselves by seminal + generation at two periods of growth. + </p> + <p> + (672/5. On April 3rd, 1868, Darwin wrote to F. Muller: "Your diagram of + the movements of the flower-peduncle of the Alisma is extremely curious. I + suppose the movement is of no service to the plant, but shows how easily + the species might be converted into a climber. Does it bend through + irritability when rubbed?" + </p> + <p> + LETTER 673. TO F. MULLER. Down, September 25th {1866}. + </p> + <p> + I have just received your letter of August 2nd, and am, as usual, + astonished at the number of interesting points which you observe. It is + quite curious how, by coincidence, you have been observing the same + subjects that have lately interested me. + </p> + <p> + Your case of the Notylia is quite new to me (673/1. See F. Muller, "Bot. + Zeitung," 1868, page 630; "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page + 171.); but it seems analogous with that of Acropera, about the sexes of + which I blundered greatly in my book. I have got an Acropera now in + flower, and have no doubt that some insect, with a tuft of hairs on its + tail, removes by the tuft, the pollinia, and inserts the little viscid cap + and the long pedicel into the narrow stigmatic cavity, and leaves it there + with the pollen-masses in close contact with, but not inserted into, the + stigmatic cavity. I find I can thus fertilise the flowers, and so I can + with Stanhopea, and I suspect that this is the case with your Notylia. But + I have lately had an orchis in flower—viz. Acineta, which I could + not anyhow fertilise. Dr. Hildebrand lately wrote a paper (673/2. "Bot. + Zeitung," 1863, 1865.) showing that with some orchids the ovules are not + mature and are not fertilised until months after the pollen-tubes have + penetrated the column, and you have independently observed the same fact, + which I never suspected in the case of Acropera. The column of such + orchids must act almost like the spermatheca of insects. Your orchis with + two leaf-like stigmas is new to me; but I feel guilty at your wasting your + valuable time in making such beautiful drawings for my amusement. + </p> + <p> + Your observations on those plants being sterile which grow separately, or + flower earlier than others, are very interesting to me: they would be + worth experimenting on with other individuals. I shall give in my next + book several cases of individual plants being sterile with their own + pollen. I have actually got on my list Eschscholtzia (673/3. See "Animals + and Plants," II., Edition II., page 118.) for fertilising with its own + pollen, though I did not suspect it would prove sterile, and I will try + next summer. My object is to compare the rate of growth of plants raised + from seed fertilised by pollen from the same flower and by pollen from a + distinct plant, and I think from what I have seen I shall arrive at + interesting results. Dr. Hildebrand has lately described a curious case of + Corydalis cava which is quite sterile with its own pollen, but fertile + with pollen of any other individual plant of the species. (673/4. + "International Horticultural Congress," London, 1866, quoted in "Variation + of Animals and Plants," Edition II., Volume II., page 113.) What I meant + in my paper on Linum about plants being dimorphic in function alone, was + that they should be divided into two equal bodies functionally but not + structurally different. I have been much interested by what you say on + seeds which adhere to the valves being rendered conspicuous. You will see + in the new edition of the "Origin" (673/5. "Origin of Species," Edition + IV., 1866, page 238. A discussion on the origin of beauty, including the + bright colours of flowers and fruits.) why I have alluded to the beauty + and bright colours of fruit; after writing this it troubled me that I + remembered to have seen brilliantly coloured seed, and your view occurred + to me. There is a species of peony in which the inside of the pod is + crimson and the seeds dark purple. I had asked a friend to send me some of + these seeds, to see if they were covered with anything which could prove + attractive to birds. I received some seeds the day after receiving your + letter, and I must own that the fleshy covering is so thin that I can + hardly believe it would lead birds to devour them; and so it was in an + analogous case with Passiflora gracilis. How is this in the cases + mentioned by you? The whole case seems to me rather a striking one. + </p> + <p> + I wish I had heard of Mikania being a leaf-climber before your paper was + printed (673/6. See "Climbing Plants (3rd thousand, 1882), page 116. + Mikania and Mutisia both belong to the Compositae. Mikania scandens is a + twining plant: it is another species which, by its leaf-climbing habit, + supplies a transition to the tendril-climber Mutisia. F. Muller's paper is + in "Linn. Soc. Journ." IX., page 344.), for we thus get a good gradation + from M. scandens to Mutisia, with its little modified, leaf-like tendrils. + </p> + <p> + I am glad to hear that you can confirm (but render still more wonderful) + Hackel's most interesting case of Linope. Huxley told me that he thought + the case would somehow be explained away. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 674. TO F. MULLER. Down {Received January 24th, 1867}. + </p> + <p> + I have so much to thank you for that I hardly know how to begin. I have + received the bulbils of Oxalis, and your most interesting letter of + October 1st. I planted half the bulbs, and will plant the other half in + the spring. The case seems to me very curious, and until trying some + experiments in crossing I can form no conjecture what the abortion of the + stamens in so irregular a manner can signify. But I fear from what you say + the plant will prove sterile, like so many others which increase largely + by buds of various kinds. Since I asked you about Oxalis, Dr. Hildebrand + has published a paper showing that a great number of species are + trimorphic, like Lythrum, but he has tried hardly any experiments. (674/1. + Hildebrand's work, published in the "Monatsb. d. Akad. d. Wiss. Berlin," + 1866, was chiefly on herbarium specimens. His experimental work was + published in the "Bot. Zeitung," 1871.) + </p> + <p> + I am particularly obliged for the information and specimens of Cordia + (674/2. Cordiaceae: probably dimorphic.), and shall be most grateful for + seed. I have not heard of any dimorphic species in this family. Hardly + anything in your letter interested me so much as your account and drawing + of the valves of the pod of one of the Mimoseae with the really beautiful + seeds. I will send some of these seeds to Kew to be planted. But these + seeds seem to me to offer a very great difficulty. They do not seem hard + enough to resist the triturating power of the gizzard of a gallinaceous + bird, though they must resist that of some other birds; for the skin is as + hard as ivory. I presume that these seeds cannot be covered with any + attractive pulp? I soaked one of the seeds for ten hours in warm water, + which became only very slightly mucilaginous. I think I will try whether + they will pass through a fowl uninjured. (674/3. The seeds proved to be + those of Adenanthera pavonina. The solution of the difficulty is given in + the following extract from a letter to Muller, March 2nd, 1867: "I wrote + to India on the subject, and I hear from Mr. J. Scott that parrots are + eager for the seeds, and, wonderful as the fact is, can split them open + with their beaks; they first collect a large number in their beaks, and + then settle themselves to split them, and in doing so drop many; thus I + have no doubt they are disseminated, on the same principle that the acorns + of our oaks are most widely disseminated." Possibly a similar explanation + may hold good for the brightly coloured seeds of Abrus precatorius.) I + hope you will observe whether any bird devours them; and could you get any + young man to shoot some and observe whether the seeds are found low down + in the intestines? It would be well worth while to plant such seeds with + undigested seeds for comparison. An opponent of ours might make a capital + case against us by saying that here beautiful pods and seeds have been + formed not for the good of the plant, but for the good of birds alone. + These seeds would make a beautiful bracelet for one of my daughters, if I + had enough. I may just mention that Euonymus europoeus is a case in point: + the seeds are coated by a thin orange layer, which I find is sufficient to + cause them to be devoured by birds. + </p> + <p> + I have received your paper on Martha {Posoqueria (674/4. "Bot. Zeitung," + 1866.)}; it is as wonderful as the most wonderful orchis; Ernst Hackel + brought me the paper and stayed a day with me. I have seldom seen a more + pleasant, cordial, and frank man. He is now in Madeira, where he is going + to work chiefly on the Medusae. His great work is now published, and I + have a copy; but the german is so difficult I can make out but little of + it, and I fear it is too large a work to be translated. Your fact about + the number of seeds in the capsule of the Maxillaria (674/5. See "Animals + and Plants," Edition II., Volume II., page 115.) came just at the right + time, as I wished to give one or two such facts. Does this orchid produce + many capsules? I cannot answer your question about the aerial roots of + Catasetum. I hope you have received the new edition of the "Origin." Your + paper on climbing plants (674/6. "Linn. Soc. Journal," IX., 1867, page + 344.) is printed, and I expect in a day or two to receive the spare + copies, and I will send off three copies as before stated, and will retain + some in case you should wish me to send them to any one in Europe, and + will transmit the remainder to yourself. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 675. TO F. MULLER. Down {received February 24th, 1867}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter of November 2nd contained an extraordinary amount of + interesting matter. What a number of dimorphic plants South Brazil + produces: you observed in one day as many or more dimorphic genera than + all the botanists in Europe have ever observed. When my present book is + finished I shall write a final paper upon these plants, so that I am + extremely glad to hear of your observations and to see the dried flowers; + nevertheless, I should regret MUCH if I prevented you from publishing on + the subject. Plumbago (675/1. Plumbago has not been shown to be + dimorphic.) is quite new to me, though I had suspected it. It is curious + how dimorphism prevails by groups throughout the world, showing, as I + suppose, that it is an ancient character; thus Hedyotis is dimorphic in + India (675/2. Hedyotis was sent to Darwin by F. Muller; it seems possible, + therefore, that Hedyotis was written by mistake for some other Rubiaceous + plant, perhaps Oldenlandia, which John Scott sent him from India.); the + two other genera in the same sub-family with Villarsia are dimorphic in + Europe and Ceylon; a sub-genus of Erythroxylon (675/3. No doubt Sethia.) + is dimorphic in Ceylon, and Oxalis with you and at the Cape of Good Hope. + If you can find a dimorphic Oxalis it will be a new point, for all known + species are trimorphic or monomorphic. The case of Convolvulus will be + new, if proved. I am doubtful about Gesneria (675/4. Neither Convolvulus + nor Gesneria have been shown to be dimorphic.), and have been often myself + deceived by varying length of pistil. A difference in the size of the + pollen-grains would be conclusive evidence; but in some cases experiments + by fertilisation can alone decide the point. As yet I know of no case of + dimorphism in flowers which are very irregular; such flowers being + apparently always sufficiently visited and crossed by insects. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 676. TO F. MULLER. Down, April 22nd {1867}. + </p> + <p> + I am very sorry your papers on climbing plants never reached you. They + must be lost, but I put the stamps on myself and I am sure they were + right. I despatched on the 20th all the remaining copies, except one for + myself. Your letter of March 4th contained much interesting matter, but I + have to say this of all your letters. I am particularly glad to hear that + Oncidium flexuosum (676/1. See "Animals and Plants," Edition II., Volume + II., page 114. Observations on Oncidium were made by John Scott, and in + Brazil by F. Muller, who "fertilised above one hundred flowers of the + above-mentioned Oncidium flexuosum, which is there endemic, with its own + pollen, and with that taken from distinct plants: all the former were + sterile, whilst those fertilised by pollen from any OTHER PLANT of the + same species were fertile.') is endemic, for I always thought that the + cases of self-sterility with orchids in hot-houses might have been caused + by their unnatural conditions. I am glad, also, to hear of the other + analogous cases, all of which I will give briefly in my book that is now + printing. The lessened number of good seeds in the self-fertilising + Epidendrums is to a certain extent a new case. You suggest the comparison + of the growth of plants produced from self-fertilised and crossed seeds. I + began this work last autumn, and the result, in some cases, has been very + striking; but only, as far as I can yet judge, with exotic plants which do + not get freely crossed by insects in this country. In some of these cases + it is really a wonderful physiological fact to see the difference of + growth in the plants produced from self-fertilised and crossed seeds, both + produced by the same parent-plant; the pollen which has been used for the + cross having been taken from a distinct plant that grew in the same + flower-pot. Many thanks for the dimorphic Rubiaceous plant. Three of your + Plumbagos have germinated, but not as yet any of the Lobelias. Have you + ever thought of publishing a work which might contain miscellaneous + observations on all branches of Natural History, with a short description + of the country and of any excursions which you might take? I feel certain + that you might make a very valuable and interesting book, for every one of + your letters is so full of good observations. Such books, for instance + Bates' "Travels on the Amazons," are very popular in England. I will give + your obliging offer about Brazilian plants to Dr. Hooker, who was to have + come here to-day, but has failed. He is an excellent good fellow, as well + as naturalist. He has lately published a pamphlet, which I think you would + like to read; and I will try and get a copy and send you. (676/2. Sir J.D. + Hooker's lecture on Insular Floras, given before the British Association + in August, 1866, is doubtless referred to. It appeared in the "Gardeners' + Chronicle," and was published as a pamphlet in January, 1867. This fact + helps to fix the date of the present letter.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 677. TO F. MULLER. + </p> + <p> + (677/1. The following refers to the curious case of Eschscholtzia + described in "Cross and Self-Fertilisation," pages 343-4. The offspring of + English plants after growing for two generations in Brazil became + self-sterile, while the offspring of Brazilian plants became partly + self-fertile in England.) + </p> + <p> + January 30th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + ...The flowers of Eschscholtzia when crossed with pollen from a distinct + plant produced 91 per cent. of capsules; when self-fertilised the flowers + produced only 66 per cent. of capsules. An equal number of crossed and + self-fertilised capsules contained seed by weight in the proportion of 100 + to 71. Nevertheless, the self-fertilised flowers produced an abundance of + seed. I enclose a few crossed seeds in hopes that you will raise a plant, + cover it with a net, and observe whether it is self-fertile; at the same + time allowing several uncovered plants to produce capsules, for the + sterility formerly observed by you seems to me very curious. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 678. TO F. MULLER. Down, November 28th {1868}. + </p> + <p> + You end your letter of September 9th by saying that it is a very dull one; + indeed, you make a very great mistake, for it abounds with interesting + facts and thoughts. Your account of the tameness of the birds which + apparently have wandered from the interior, is very curious. But I must + begin on another subject: there has been a great and very vexatious, but + unavoidable delay in the publication of your book. (678/1. "Facts and + Arguments for Darwin," 1869, a translation by the late Mr. Dallas of F. + Muller's "Fur Darwin," 1864: see Volume I., Letter 227.) Prof. Huxley + agrees with me that Mr. Dallas is by far the best translator, but he is + much overworked and had not quite finished the translation about a + fortnight ago. He has charge of the Museum at York, and is now trying to + get the situation of Assistant Secretary at the Geological Society; and + all the canvassing, etc., and his removal, if he gets the place, will, I + fear, cause more than a month's delay in the completion of the + translation; and this I very much regret. + </p> + <p> + I am particularly glad to hear that you intend to repeat my experiments on + illegitimate offspring, for no one's observations can be trusted until + repeated. You will find the work very troublesome, owing to the death of + plants and accidents of all kinds. Some dimorphic plant will probably + prove too sterile for you to raise offspring; and others too fertile for + much sterility to be expected in their offspring. Primula is bad on + account of the difficulty of deciding which seeds may be considered as + good. I have earnestly wished that some one would repeat these + experiments, but I feared that years would elapse before any one would + take the trouble. I received your paper on Bignonia in "Bot. Zeit." and it + interested me much. (678/2. See "Variation of Animals and Plants," Edition + II., Volume II., page 117. Fritz Muller's paper, "Befruchtungsversuche an + Cipo alho (Bignonia)," "Botanische Zeitung," September 25th, 1868, page + 625, contains an interesting foreshadowing of the generalisation arrived + at in "Cross and Self-Fertilisation." Muller wrote: "Are the three which + grow near each other seedlings from the same mother-plant or perhaps from + seeds of the same capsule? Or have they, from growing in the same place + and under the same conditions, become so like each other that the pollen + of one has hardly any more effect on the others than their own pollen? Or, + on the contrary, were the plants originally one—i.e., are they + suckers from a single stock, which have gained a slight degree of mutual + fertility in the course of an independent life? Or, lastly, is the result + 'ein neckische Zufall,'" (The above is a free translation of Muller's + words.)) I am convinced that if you can prove that a plant growing in a + distant place under different conditions is more effective in + fertilisation than one growing close by, you will make a great step in the + essence of sexual reproduction. + </p> + <p> + Prof. Asa Gray and Dr. Hooker have been staying here, and, oddly enough, + they knew nothing of your paper on Martha (678/3. F. Muller has described + ("Bot. Zeitung," 1866, page 129) the explosive mechanism by which the + pollen is distributed in Martha (Posoqueria) fragrans. He also gives an + account of the remarkable arrangement for ensuring cross-fertilisation. + See "Forms of Flowers," Edition II., page 131.), though the former was + aware of the curious movements of the stamens, but so little understood + the structure of the plant that he thought it was probably a dimorphic + species. Accordingly, I showed them your drawings and gave them a little + lecture, and they were perfectly charmed with your account. Hildebrand + (678/4. See Letter 206, Volume I.) has repeated his experiments on + potatoes, and so have I, but this summer with no result. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 679. TO F. MULLER. Down, March 14th {1869}. + </p> + <p> + I received some time ago a very interesting letter from you with many + facts about Oxalis, and about the non-seeding and spreading of one + species. I may mention that our common O. acetosella varies much in length + of pistils and stamens, so that I at first thought it was certainly + dimorphic, but proved it by experiment not to be so. Boiseria (679/1. This + perhaps refers to Boissiera (Ladizabala).) has after all seeded well with + me when crossed by opposite form, but very sparingly when self-fertilised. + Your case of Faramea astonishes me. (679/2. See "Forms of Flowers," + Edition II., page 129. Faramea is placed among the dimorphic species.) Are + you sure there is no mistake? The difference in size of flower and + wonderful difference in size and structure of pollen-grains naturally make + me rather sceptical. I never fail to admire and to be surprised at the + number of points to which you attend. I go on slowly at my next book, and + though I never am idle, I make but slow progress; for I am often + interrupted by being unwell, and my subject of sexual selection has grown + into a very large one. I have also had to correct a new edition of my + "Origin," (679/3. The 5th edition.), and this has taken me six weeks, for + science progresses at railroad speed. I cannot tell you how rejoiced I am + that your book is at last out; for whether it sells largely or not, I am + certain it will produce a great effect on all capable judges, though these + are few in number. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I have just received your letter of January 12th. I am greatly + interested by what you say on Eschscholtzia; I wish your plants had + succeeded better. It seems pretty clear that the species is much more + self-sterile under the climate of Brazil than here, and this seems to me + an important result. (679/4. See Letter 677.) I have no spare seeds at + present, but will send for some from the nurseryman, which, though not so + good for our purpose, will be worth trying. I can send some of my own in + the autumn. You could simply cover up separately two or three single + plants, and see if they will seed without aid,—mine did abundantly. + Very many thanks for seeds of Oxalis: how I wish I had more strength and + time to carry on these experiments, but when I write in the morning, I + have hardly heart to do anything in the afternoon. Your grass is most + wonderful. You ought to send account to the "Bot. Zeitung." Could you not + ascertain whether the barbs are sensitive, and how soon they become spiral + in the bud? Your bird is, I have no doubt, the Molothrus mentioned in my + "Journal of Travels," page 52, as representing a North American species, + both with cuckoo-like habits. I know that seeds from same spike + transmitted to a certain extent their proper qualities; but as far as I + know, no one has hitherto shown how far this holds good, and the fact is + very interesting. The experiment would be well worth trying with flowers + bearing different numbers of petals. Your explanation agrees beautifully + with the hypothesis of pangenesis, and delights me. If you try other + cases, do draw up a paper on the subject of inheritance of separate + flowers for the "Bot. Zeitung" or some journal. Most men, as far as my + experience goes, are too ready to publish, but you seem to enjoy making + most interesting observations and discoveries, and are sadly too slow in + publishing. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 680. TO F. MULLER. Barmouth, July 18th, 1869. + </p> + <p> + I received your last letter shortly before leaving home for this place. + Owing to this cause and to having been more unwell than usual I have been + very dilatory in writing to you. When I last heard, about six or eight + weeks ago, from Mr. Murray, one hundred copies of your book had been sold, + and I daresay five hundred may now be sold. (680/1. "Facts and Arguments + for Darwin," 1869: see Volume I., Letter 227.) This will quite repay me, + if not all the money; for I am sure that your book will have got into the + hands of a good many men capable of understanding it: indeed, I know that + it has. But it is too deep for the general public. I sent you two or three + reviews—one of which, in the "Athenaeum," was unfavourable; but this + journal has abused me, and all who think with me, for many years. (680/2. + "Athenaeum," 1869, page 431.) I enclose two more notices, not that they + are worth sending: some other brief notices have appeared. The case of the + Abitulon sterile with some individuals is remarkable (680/3. + "Bestaubungsversuche an Abutilon-Arten." "Jenaische Zeitschr." VII., 1873, + page 22.): I believe that I had one plant of Reseda odorata which was + fertile with own pollen, but all that I have tried since were sterile + except with pollen from some other individual. I planted the seeds of the + Abitulon, but I fear that they were crushed in the letter. Your + Eschscholtzia plants were growing well when I left home, to which place we + shall return by the end of this month, and I will observe whether they are + self-sterile. I sent your curious account of the monstrous Begonia to the + Linnean Society, and I suppose it will be published in the "Journal." + (680/4. "On the Modification of the Stamens in a Species of Begonia." + "Journ. Linn. Soc." XI., 1871, page 472.) I sent the extract about grafted + orange trees to the "Gardeners' Chronicle," where it appeared. I have + lately drawn up some notes for a French translation of my Orchis book: I + took out your letters to make an abstract of your numerous discussions, + but I found I had not strength or time to do so, and this caused me great + regret. I have {in the French edition} alluded to your work, which will + also be published in English, as you will see in my paper, and which I + will send you. (680/5. "Notes on the Fertilisation of Orchids." "Ann. Mag. + Nat. Hist." 1869, Volume IV., page 141. The paper gives an English version + of the notes prepared for the French edition of the Orchid book.) + </p> + <p> + P.S.—By an odd chance, since I wrote the beginning of this letter, I + have received one from Dr. Hooker, who has been reading "Fur Darwin": he + finds that he has not knowledge enough for the first part; but says that + Chapters X. and XI. "strike me as remarkably good." He is also + particularly struck with one of your highly suggestive remarks in the note + to page 119. Assuredly all who read your book will greatly profit by it, + and I rejoice that it has appeared in English. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 681. TO F. MULLER. Down, December 1st {1869}. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your letter of October 18th, with the curious + account of Abutilon, and for the seeds. A friend of mine, Mr. Farrer, has + lately been studying the fertilisation of Passiflora (681/1. See Letters + 701 and 704.), and concluded from the curiously crooked passage into the + nectary that it could not be fertilised by humming-birds; but that + Tacsonia was thus fertilised. Therefore I sent him the passage from your + letter, and I enclose a copy of his answer. If you are inclined to gratify + him by making a few observations on this subject I shall be much obliged, + and will send them on to him. I enclose a copy of my rough notes on your + Eschscholtzia, as you might like to see them. Somebody has sent me from + Germany two papers by you, one with a most curious account of Alisma + (681/2. See Letter 672.), and the other on crustaceans. Your observations + on the branchiae and heart have interested me extremely. + </p> + <p> + Alex. Agassiz has just paid me a visit with his wife. He has been in + England two or three months, and is now going to tour over the Continent + to see all the zoologists. We liked him very much. He is a great admirer + of yours, and he tells me that your correspondence and book first made him + believe in evolution. This must have been a great blow to his father, who, + as he tells me, is very well, and so vigorous that he can work twice as + long as he (the son) can. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Meyer has sent me his translation of Wallace's "Malay Archipelago," + which is a valuable work; and as I have no use for the translation, I will + this day forward it to you by post, but, to save postage, via England. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 682. TO F. MULLER. Down, May 12th {1870}. + </p> + <p> + I thank you for your two letters of December 15th and March 29th, both + abounding with curious facts. I have been particularly glad to hear in + your last about the Eschscholtzia (682/1. See Letter 677.); for I am now + rearing crossed and self-fertilised plants, in antagonism to each other, + from your semi-sterile plants so that I may compare this comparative + growth with that of the offspring of English fertile plants. I have + forwarded your postscript about Passiflora, with the seeds, to Mr. Farrer, + who I am sure will be greatly obliged to you; the turning up of the + pendant flower plainly indicates some adaptation. When I next go to London + I will take up the specimens of butterflies, and show them to Mr. Butler, + of the British Museum, who is a learned lepidopterist and interested on + the subject. This reminds me to ask you whether you received my letter + {asking} about the ticking butterfly, described at page 33 of my "Journal + of Researches"; viz., whether the sound is in anyway sexual? Perhaps the + species does not inhabit your island. (682/2. Papilio feronia, a Brazilian + species capable of making "a clicking noise, similar to that produced by a + toothed wheel passing under a spring catch."—"Journal," 1879, page + 34.) + </p> + <p> + The case described in your last letter of the trimorphic monocotyledon + Pontederia is grand. (682/3. This case interested Darwin as the only + instance of heterostylism in Monocotyledons. See "Forms of Flowers," + Edition II., page 183. F. Muller's paper is in the "Jenaische + Zeitschrift," 1871.) I wonder whether I shall ever have time to recur to + this subject; I hope I may, for I have a good deal of unpublished + material. + </p> + <p> + Thank you for telling me about the first-formed flower having additional + petals, stamens, carpels, etc., for it is a possible means of transition + of form; it seems also connected with the fact on which I have insisted of + peloric flowers being so often terminal. As pelorism is strongly inherited + (and {I} have just got a curious case of this in a leguminous plant from + India), would it not be worth while to fertilise some of your early + flowers having additional organs with pollen from a similar flower, and + see whether you could not make a race thus characterised? (682/4. See + Letters 588, 589. Also "Variation under Domestication," Edition II., + Volume I., pages 388-9.) Some of your Abutilons have germinated, but I + have been very unfortunate with most of your seed. + </p> + <p> + You will remember having given me in a former letter an account of a very + curious popular belief in regard to the subsequent progeny of asses, which + have borne mules; and now I have another case almost exactly like that of + Lord Morton's mare, in which it is said the shape of the hoofs in the + subsequent progeny are affected. (Pangenesis will turn out true some day!) + (682/5. See "Animals and Plants," Edition II., Volume I., page 435. For + recent work on telegony see Ewart's "Experimental Investigations on + Telegony," "Phil. Trans. R. Soc." 1899. A good account of the subject is + given in the "Quarterly Review," 1899, page 404. See also Letter 275, + Volume I.) + </p> + <p> + A few months ago I received an interesting letter and paper from your + brother, who has taken up a new and good line of investigation, viz., the + adaptation in insects for the fertilisation of flowers. + </p> + <p> + The only scientific man I have seen for several months is Kolliker, who + came here with Gunther, and whom I liked extremely. + </p> + <p> + I am working away very hard at my book on man and on sexual selection, but + I do not suppose I shall go to press till late in the autumn. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 683. TO F. MULLER. Down, January 1st, 1874. + </p> + <p> + No doubt I owe to your kindness two pamphlets received a few days ago, + which have interested me in an extraordinary degree. (683/1. This refers + to F. Muller's "Bestaubungsversuche an Abutilon-Arten" in the "Jenaische + Zeitschr." Volume VII., which are thus referred to by Darwin ("Cross and + Self Fert." pages 305-6): "Fritz Muller has shown by his valuable + experiments on hybrid Abutilons, that the union of brothers and sisters, + parents and children, and of other near relations is highly injurious to + the fertility of the offspring." The Termite paper is in the same volume + (viz., VII.) of the "Jenaische Zeitschr.") It is quite new to me what you + show about the effects of relationship in hybrids—that is to say, as + far as direct proof is concerned. I felt hardly any doubt on the subject, + from the fact of hybrids becoming more fertile when grown in number in + nursery gardens, exactly the reverse of what occurred with Gartner. + (683/2. When many hybrids are grown together the pollination by near + relatives is minimised.) The paper on Termites is even still more + interesting, and the analogy with cleistogene flowers is wonderful. + (683/3. On the back of his copy of Muller's paper Darwin wrote: "There + exist imperfectly developed male and female Termites, with wings much + shorter than those of queen and king, which serve to continue the species + if a fully developed king and queen do not after swarming (which no doubt + is for an occasional cross) enter {the} nest. Curiously like cleistogamic + flowers.") The manner in which you refer to to my chapter on crossing is + one of the most elegant compliments which I have ever received. + </p> + <p> + I have directed to be sent to you Belt's "Nicaragua," which seems to me + the best Natural History book of travels ever published. Pray look to what + he says about the leaf-carrying ant storing the leaves up in a minced + state to generate mycelium, on which he supposes that the larvae feed. + Now, could you open the stomachs of these ants and examine the contents, + so as to prove or disprove this remarkable hypothesis? (683/4. The + hypothesis has been completely confirmed by the researches of Moller, a + nephew of F. Muller's: see his "Brasilische Pilzblumen" ("Botan. + Mittheilgn. aus den Tropen," hrsg. von A.F.W. Schimper, Heft 7).) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 684. TO F. MULLER. Down, May 9th, 1877. + </p> + <p> + I have been particularly glad to receive your letter of March 25th on + Pontederia, for I am now printing a small book on heterostyled plants, and + on some allied subjects. I feel sure you will not object to my giving a + short account of the flowers of the new species which you have sent me. I + am the more anxious to do so as a writer in the United States has + described a species, and seems to doubt whether it is heterostyled, for he + thinks the difference in the length of the pistil depends merely on its + growth! In my new book I shall use all the information and specimens which + you have sent me with respect to the heterostyled plants, and your + published notices. + </p> + <p> + One chapter will be devoted to cleistogamic species, and I will just + notice your new grass case. My son Francis desires me to thank you much + for your kindness with respect to the plants which bury their seeds. + </p> + <p> + I never fail to feel astonished, when I receive one of your letters, at + the number of new facts you are continually observing. With respect to the + great supposed subterranean animal, may not the belief have arisen from + the natives having seen large skeletons embedded in cliffs? I remember + finding on the banks of the Parana a skeleton of a Mastodon, and the + Gauchos concluded that it was a borrowing animal like the Bizcacha. + (684/1. On the supposed existence in Patagonia of a gigantic land-sloth, + see "Natural Science," XIII., 1898, page 288, where Ameghino's discovery + of the skin of Neomylodon listai was practically first made known, since + his privately published pamphlet was not generally seen. The animal was + afterwards identified with a Glossotherium, closely allied to Owen's G. + Darwini, which has been named Glossotherium listai or Grypotherium + domesticum. For a good account of the discoveries see Smith Woodward in + "Natural Science," XV., 1899, page 351, where the literature is given.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 685. TO F. MULLER. Down, May 14th {1877}. + </p> + <p> + I wrote to you a few days ago to thank you about Pontederia, and now I am + going to ask you to add one more to the many kindnesses which you have + done for me. I have made many observations on the waxy secretion on leaves + which throw off water (e.g., cabbage, Tropoeolum), and I am now going to + continue my observations. Does any sensitive species of Mimosa grow in + your neighbourhood? If so, will you observe whether the leaflets keep shut + during long-continued warm rain. I find that the leaflets open if they are + continuously syringed with water at a temperature of about 19 deg C., but + if the water is at a temperature of 33-35 deg C., they keep shut for more + than two hours, and probably longer. If the plant is continuously shaken + so as to imitate wind the leaflets soon open. How is this with the native + plants during a windy day? I find that some other plants—for + instance, Desmodium and Cassia—when syringed with water, place their + leaves so that the drops fall quickly off; the position assumed differing + somewhat from that in the so-called sleep. Would you be so kind as to + observe whether any {other} plants place their leaves during rain so as to + shoot off the water; and if there are any such I should be very glad of a + leaf or two to ascertain whether they are coated with a waxy secretion. + (685/1. See Letters 737-41.) + </p> + <p> + There is another and very different subject, about which I intend to + write, and should be very glad of a little information. Are earthworms + (Lumbricus) common in S. Brazil (685/2. F. Muller's reply is given in + "Vegetable Mould," page 122.), and do they throw up on the surface of the + ground numerous castings or vermicular masses such as we so commonly see + in Europe? Are such castings found in the forests beneath the dead + withered leaves? I am sure I can trust to your kindness to forgive me for + asking you so many questions. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 686. TO F. MULLER. Down, July 24th, 1878. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for the five kinds of seeds; all have germinated, and the + Cassia seedlings have interested me much, and I daresay that I shall find + something curious in the other plants. Nor have I alone profited, for Sir + J. Hooker, who was here on Sunday, was very glad of some of the seeds for + Kew. I am particularly obliged for the information about the earthworms. I + suppose the soil in your forests is very loose, for in ground which has + lately been dug in England the worms do not come to the surface, but + deposit their castings in the midst of the loose soil. + </p> + <p> + I have some grand plants (and I formerly sent seeds to Kew) of the + cleistogamic grass, but they show no signs of producing flowers of any + kind as yet. Your case of the panicle with open flowers being sterile is + parallel to that of Leersia oryzoides. I have always fancied that + cross-fertilisation would perhaps make such panicles fertile. (686/1. The + meaning of this sentence is somewhat obscure. Darwin apparently implies + that the perfect flowers, borne on the panicles which occasionally emerge + from the sheath, might be fertile if pollinated from another individual. + See "Forms of Flowers," page 334.) + </p> + <p> + I am working away as hard as I can at all the multifarious kinds of + movements of plants, and am trying to reduce them to some simple rules, + but whether I shall succeed I do not know. + </p> + <p> + I have sent the curious lepidopteron case to Mr. Meldola. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 687. F. MULLER TO CHARLES DARWIN. + </p> + <p> + (687/1. In November, 1880, on receipt of an account of a flood in Brazil + from which Fritz Muller had barely escaped with his life ("Life and + Letters," III., 242); Darwin immediately wrote to Hermann Muller begging + to be allowed to help in making good any loss in books or scientific + instruments that his brother had sustained. It is this offer of help that + is referred to in the first paragraph of the following letter: Darwin + repeats the offer in Letter 690.) + </p> + <p> + Blumenau, Sa Catharina, Brazil, January 9th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I do not know how to express {to} you my deep heartfelt gratitude for the + generous offer which you made to my brother on hearing of the late + dreadful flood of the Itajahy. From you, dear sir, I should have accepted + assistance without hesitation if I had been in need of it; but + fortunately, though we had to leave our house for more than a week, and on + returning found it badly damaged, my losses have not been very great. + </p> + <p> + I must thank you also for your wonderful book on the movements of plants, + which arrived here on New Year's Day. I think nobody else will have been + delighted more than I was with the results which you have arrived at by so + many admirably conducted experiments and observations; since I observed + the spontaneous revolving movement of Alisma I had seen similar movements + in so many and so different plants that I felt much inclined to consider + spontaneous revolving movement or circumnutation as common to all plants + and the movements of climbing plants as a special modification of that + general phenomenon. And this you have now convincingly, nay, + superabundantly, proved to be the case. + </p> + <p> + I was much struck with the fact that with you Maranta did not sleep for + two nights after having its leaves violently shaken by wind, for here we + have very cold nights only after storms from the west or south-west, and + it would be very strange if the leaves of our numerous species of + Marantaceae should be prevented by these storms to assume their usual + nocturnal position, just when nocturnal radiation was most to be feared. + It is rather strange, also, that Phaseolus vulgaris should not sleep + during the early part of the summer, when the leaves are most likely to be + injured during cold nights. On the contrary, it would not do any harm to + many sub-tropical plants, that their leaves must be well illuminated + during the day in order that they may assume at night a vertical position; + for, in our climate at least, cold nights are always preceded by sunny + days. + </p> + <p> + Of nearly allied plants sleeping very differently I can give you some more + instances. In the genus Olyra (at least, in the one species observed by + me) the leaves bend down vertically at night; now, in Endlicher's "Genera + plantarum" this genus immediately precedes Strephium, the leaves of which + you saw rising vertically. + </p> + <p> + In one of two species of Phyllanthus, growing as weeds near my house, the + leaves of the erect branches bend upwards at night, while in the second + species, with horizontal branches, they sleep like those of Phyllanthus + Niruri or of Cassia. In this second species the tips of the branches also + are curled downwards at night, by which movement the youngest leaves are + yet better protected. From their vertical nyctitropic position the leaves + of this Phyllanthus might return to horizontality, traversing 90 deg, in + two ways, either to their own or to the opposite side of the branch; on + the latter way no rotation would be required, while on the former each + leaf must rotate on its own axis in order that its upper surface may be + turned upwards. Thus the way to the wrong side appears to be even less + troublesome. And indeed, in some rare cases I have seen three, four or + even almost all the leaves of one side of a branch horizontally expanded + on the opposite side, with their upper surfaces closely appressed to the + lower surfaces of the leaves of that side. + </p> + <p> + This Phyllanthus agrees with Cassia not only in its manner of sleeping, + but also by its leaves being paraheliotropic. (687/2. Paraheliotropism is + the movement by which some leaves temporarily direct their edges to the + source of light. See "Movements of Plants," page 445.) Like those of some + Cassiae its leaves take an almost perfectly vertical position, when at + noon, on a summer day, the sun is nearly in the zenith; but I doubt + whether this paraheliotropism will be observable in England. To-day, + though continuing to be fully exposed to the sun, at 3 p.m. the leaves had + already returned to a nearly horizontal position. As soon as there are + ripe seeds I will send you some; of our other species of Phyllanthus I + enclose a few seeds in this letter. + </p> + <p> + In several species of Hedychium the lateral halves of the leaves when + exposed to bright sunshine, bend downwards so that the lateral margins + meet. It is curious that a hybrid Hedychium in my garden shows scarcely + any trace of this paraheliotropism, while both the parent species are very + paraheliotropic. + </p> + <p> + Might not the inequality of the cotyledons of Citrus and of Pachira be + attributed to the pressure, which the several embryos enclosed in the same + seed exert upon each other? I do not know Pachira aquatica, but {in} a + species, of which I have a tree in my garden, all the seeds are + polyembryonic, and so were almost all the seeds of Citrus which I + examined. With Coffea arabica also seeds including two embryos are not + very rare; but I have not yet observed whether in this case the cotyledons + be inequal. + </p> + <p> + I repeated to-day Duval-Jouve's measurements on Bryophyllum calycinum + (687/3. "Power of Movement in Plants," page 237. F. Muller's measurements + show, however, that there is a tendency in the leaves to be more highly + inclined at night than in the middle of the day, and so far they agree + with Duval-Jouve's results.); but mine did not agree with his; they are as + follows:— + </p> + <p> + Distances in mm. between the tips of the upper pair of leaves. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + January 9th, 1881 3 A.M. 1 P.M. 6 P.M. + 1st plant 54 43 36 + 2nd plant 28 25 23 + 3rd plant 28 27 27 + 4th plant 51 46 39 + 5th plant 61 52 45 + _______________________________________________ + + 222 193 170 +</pre> + <p> + LETTER 688. TO F. MULLER. Down, February 23rd, 1881. + </p> + <p> + Your letter has interested me greatly, as have so many during many past + years. I thought that you would not object to my publishing in "Nature" + (688/1. "Nature," March 3rd, 1881, page 409.) some of the more striking + facts about the movements of plants, with a few remarks added to show the + bearing of the facts. The case of the Phyllanthus (688/2. See Letter + 687.), which turns up its leaves on the wrong side, is most extraordinary + and ought to be further investigated. Do the leaflets sleep on the + following night in the usual manner? Do the same leaflets on successive + nights move in the same strange manner? I was particularly glad to hear of + the strongly marked cases of paraheliotropism. I shall look out with much + interest for the publication about the figs. (688/3. F. Muller published + on Caprification in "Kosmos," 1882.) The creatures which you sketch are + marvellous, and I should not have guessed that they were hymenoptera. + Thirty or forty years ago I read all that I could find about + caprification, and was utterly puzzled. I suggested to Dr. Cruger in + Trinidad to investigate the wild figs, in relation to their + cross-fertilisation, and just before he died he wrote that he had arrived + at some very curious results, but he never published, as I believe, on the + subject. + </p> + <p> + I am extremely glad that the inundation did not so greatly injure your + scientific property, though it would have been a real pleasure to me to + have been allowed to have replaced your scientific apparatus. (688/4. See + Letter 687.) I do not believe that there is any one in the world who + admires your zeal in science and wonderful powers of observation more than + I do. I venture to say this, as I feel myself a very old man, who probably + will not last much longer. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—With respect to Phyllanthus, I think that it would be a good + experiment to cut off most of the leaflets on one side of the petiole, as + soon as they are asleep and vertically dependent; when the pressure is + thus removed, the opposite leaflets will perhaps bend beyond their + vertically dependent position; if not, the main petiole might be a little + twisted so that the upper surfaces of the dependent and now unprotected + leaflets should face obliquely the sky when the morning comes. In this + case diaheliotropism would perhaps conquer the ordinary movements of the + leaves when they awake, and {assume} their diurnal horizontal position. As + the leaflets are alternate, and as the upper surface will be somewhat + exposed to the dawning light, it is perhaps diaheliotropism which explains + your extraordinary case. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 689. TO F. MULLER. Down, April 12th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I have delayed answering your last letter of February 25th, as I was just + sending to the printers the MS. of a very little book on the habits of + earthworms, of which I will of course send you a copy when published. I + have been very much interested by your new facts on paraheliotropism, as I + think that they justify my giving a name to this kind of movement, about + which I long doubted. I have this morning drawn up an account of your + observations, which I will send in a few days to "Nature." (689/1. + "Nature," 1881, page 603. Curious facts are given on the movements of + Cassia, Phyllanthus, sp., Desmodium sp. Cassia takes up a sunlight + position unlike its own characteristic night-position, but resembling + rather that of Haematoxylon (see "Power of Movement," figure 153, page + 369). One species of Phyllanthus takes up in sunshine the nyctitropic + attitude of another species. And the same sort of relation occurs in the + genus Bauhinia.) I have thought that you would not object to my giving + precedence to paraheliotropism, which has been so little noticed. I will + send you a copy of "Nature" when published. I am glad that I was not in + too great a hurry in publishing about Lagerstroemia. (689/2. Lagerstraemia + was doubtfully placed among the heterostyled plants ("Forms of Flowers," + page 167). F. Muller's observations showed that a totally different + interpretation of the two sizes of stamen is possible. Namely, that one + set serves merely to attract pollen-collecting bees, who in the act of + visiting the flowers transfer the pollen of the longer stamens to other + flowers. A case of this sort in Heeria, a Melastomad, was described by + Muller ("Nature," August 4th, 1881, page 308), and the view was applied to + the cases of Lagerstroemia and Heteranthera at a later date ("Nature," + 1883, page 364). See Letters 620-30.) I have procured some plants of + Melastomaceae, but I fear that they will not flower for two years, and I + may be in my grave before I can repeat my trials. As far as I can + imperfectly judge from my observations, the difference in colour of the + anthers in this family depends on one set of anthers being partially + aborted. I wrote to Kew to get plants with differently coloured anthers, + but I learnt very little, as describers of dried plants do not attend to + such points. I have, however, sowed seeds of two kinds, suggested to me as + probable. I have, therefore, been extremely glad to receive the seeds of + Heteranthera reniformis. As far as I can make out it is an aquatic plant; + and whether I shall succeed in getting it to flower is doubtful. Will you + be so kind as to send me a postcard telling me in what kind of station it + grows. In the course of next autumn or winter, I think that I shall put + together my notes (if they seem worth publishing) on the use or meaning of + "bloom" (689/3. See Letters 736-40.), or the waxy secretion which makes + some leaves glaucous. I think that I told you that my experiments had led + me to suspect that the movement of the leaves of Mimosa, Desmodium and + Cassia, when shaken and syringed, was to shoot off the drops of water. If + you are caught in heavy rain, I should be very much obliged if you would + keep this notion in your mind, and look to the position of such leaves. + You have such wonderful powers of observation that your opinion would be + more valued by me than that of any other man. I have among my notes one + letter from you on the subject, but I forget its purport. I hope, also, + that you may be led to follow up your very ingenious and novel view on the + two-coloured anthers or pollen, and observe which kind is most gathered by + bees. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 690. TO F. MULLER. {Patterdale}, June 21st, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I should be much obliged if you could without much trouble send me seeds + of any heterostyled herbaceous plants (i.e. a species which would flower + soon), as it would be easy work for me to raise some illegitimate + seedlings to test their degree of infertility. The plant ought not to have + very small flowers. I hope that you received the copies of "Nature," with + extracts from your interesting letters (690/1. "Nature," March 3rd, 1881, + Volume XXIII., page 409, contains a letter from C. Darwin on "Movements of + Plants," with extracts from Fritz Muller's letter. Another letter, "On the + Movements of Leaves," was published in "Nature," April 28th, 1881, page + 603, with notes on leaf-movements sent to Darwin by Muller.), and I was + glad to see a notice in "Kosmos" on Phyllanthus. (690/2. "Verirrte + Blatter," by Fritz Muller ("Kosmos," Volume V., page 141, 1881). In this + article an account is given of a species of Phyllanthus, a weed in + Muller's garden. See Letter 687.) I am writing this note away from my + home, but before I left I had the satisfaction of seeing Phyllanthus + sleeping. Some of the seeds which you so kindly sent me would not + germinate, or had not then germinated. I received a letter yesterday from + Dr. Breitenbach, and he tells me that you lost many of your books in the + desolating flood from which you suffered. Forgive me, but why should you + not order, through your brother Hermann, books, etc., to the amount of 100 + pounds, and I would send a cheque to him as soon as I heard the exact + amount? This would be no inconvenience to me; on the contrary, it would be + an honour and lasting pleasure to me to have aided you in your invaluable + scientific work to this small and trifling extent. (690/3. See Letter 687, + also "Life and Letters," III., page 242.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 691. TO F. MULLER. + </p> + <p> + (691/1. The following extract from a letter to F. Muller shows what was + the nature of Darwin's interest in the effect of carbonate of ammonia on + roots, etc. He was, we think, wrong in adhering to the belief that the + movements of aggregated masses are of an amoeboid nature. The masses + change shape, just as clouds do under the moulding action of the wind. In + the plant cell the moulding agent is the flowing protoplasm, but the + masses themselves are passive.) + </p> + <p> + September 10th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps you may remember that I described in "Insectivorous Plants" a + really curious phenomenon, which I called the aggregation of the + protoplasm in the cells of the tentacles. None of the great German + botanists will admit that the moving masses are composed of protoplasm, + though it is astonishing to me that any one could watch the movement and + doubt its nature. But these doubts have led me to observe analogous facts, + and I hope to succeed in proving my case. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 692. TO F. MULLER. Down, November 13th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I received a few days ago a small box (registered) containing dried + flower-heads with brown seeds somewhat sculptured on the sides. There was + no name, and I should be much obliged if some time you would tell me what + these seeds are. I have planted them. + </p> + <p> + I sent you some time ago my little book on earthworms, which, though of no + importance, has been largely read in England. I have little or nothing to + tell you about myself. I have for a couple of months been observing the + effects of carbonate of ammonia on chlorophyll and on the roots of certain + plants (692/1. Published under the title "The Action of Carbonate of + Ammonia on the Roots of Certain Plants and on Chlorophyll Bodies," "Linn. + Soc. Journ." XIX., 1882, pages 239-61, 262-84.), but the subject is too + difficult for me, and I cannot understand the meaning of some strange + facts which I have observed. The mere recording new facts is but dull + work. + </p> + <p> + Professor Wiesner has published a book (692/2. See Letter 763.), giving a + different explanation to almost every fact which I have given in my "Power + of Movement in Plants." I am glad to say that he admits that almost all my + statements are true. I am convinced that many of his interpretations of + the facts are wrong, and I am glad to hear that Professor Pfeffer is of + the same opinion; but I believe that he is right and I wrong on some + points. I have not the courage to retry all my experiments, but I hope to + get my son Francis to try some fresh ones to test Wiesner's explanations. + But I do not know why I have troubled you with all this. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 693. TO F. MULLER. {4, Bryanston Street}, December 19th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I hope that you may find time to go on with your experiments on such + plants as Lagerstroemia, mentioned in your letter of October 29th, for I + believe you will arrive at new and curious results, more especially if you + can raise two sets of seedlings from the two kinds of pollen. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for the facts about the effect of rain and mud in relation to + the waxy secretion. I have observed many instances of the lower side being + protected better than the upper side, in the case, as I believe, of bushes + and trees, so that the advantage in low-growing plants is probably only an + incidental one. (693/1. The meaning is here obscure: it appears to us that + the significance of bloom on the lower surface of the leaves of both trees + and herbs depends on the frequency with which all or a majority of the + stomata are on the lower surface—where they are better protected + from wet (even without the help of bloom) than on the exposed upper + surface. On the correlation between bloom and stomata, see Francis Darwin + "Linn. Soc. Journ." XXII., page 99.) As I am writing away from my home, I + have been unwilling to try more than one leaf of the Passiflora, and this + came out of the water quite dry on the lower surface and quite wet on the + upper. I have not yet begun to put my notes together on this subject, and + do not at all know whether I shall be able to make much of it. The oddest + little fact which I have observed is that with Trifolium resupinatum, one + half of the leaf (I think the right-hand side, when the leaf is viewed + from the apex) is protected by waxy secretion, and not the other half + (693/2. In the above passage "leaf" should be "leaflet": for a figure of + Trifolium resupinatum see Letter 740.); so that when the leaf is dipped + into water, exactly half the leaf comes out dry and half wet. What the + meaning of this can be I cannot even conjecture. I read last night your + very interesting article in "Kosmos" on Crotalaria, and so was very glad + to see the dried leaves sent by you: it seems to me a very curious case. I + rather doubt whether it will apply to Lupinus, for, unless my memory + deceives me, all the leaves of the same plant sometimes behaved in the + same manner; but I will try and get some of the same seeds of the Lupinus, + and sow them in the spring. Old age, however, is telling on me, and it + troubles me to have more than one subject at a time on hand. + </p> + <p> + (693/3. In a letter to F. Muller (September 10, 1881) occurs a sentence + which may appropriately close this series: "I often feel rather ashamed of + myself for asking for so many things from you, and for taking up so much + of your valuable time, but I can assure you that I feel grateful.") + </p> + <p> + 2.XI.III. MISCELLANEOUS, 1868-1881. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 694. TO G. BENTHAM. Down, April 22nd, 1868. + </p> + <p> + I have been extremely much pleased by your letter, and I take it as a very + great compliment that you should have written to me at such length...I am + not at all surprised that you cannot digest pangenesis: it is enough to + give any one an indigestion; but to my mind the idea has been an immense + relief, as I could not endure to keep so many large classes of facts all + floating loose in my mind without some thread of connection to tie them + together in a tangible method. + </p> + <p> + With respect to the men who have recently written on the crossing of + plants, I can at present remember only Hildebrand, Fritz Muller, Delpino, + and G. Henslow; but I think there are others. I feel sure that Hildebrand + is a very good observer, for I have read all his papers, and during the + last twenty years I have made unpublished observations on many of the + plants which he describes. {Most of the criticisms which I sometimes meet + with in French works against the frequency of crossing I am certain are + the result of mere ignorance. I have never hitherto found the rule to fail + that when an author describes the structure of a flower as specially + adapted for self-fertilisation, it is really adapted for crossing. The + Fumariaceae offer a good instance of this, and Treviranus threw this order + in my teeth; but in Corydalis Hildebrand shows how utterly false the idea + of self-fertilisation is. This author's paper on Salvia (694/1. + Hildebrand, "Pringsheim's Jahrbucher," IV.) is really worth reading, and I + have observed some species, and know that he is accurate}. (694/2. The + passage within {} was published in the "Life and Letters," III., page + 279.) Judging from a long review in the "Bot. Zeitung", and from what I + know of some the plants, I believe Delpino's article especially on the + Apocynaea, is excellent; but I cannot read Italian. (694/3. Hildebrand's + paper in the "Bot. Zeitung," 1867, refers to Delpino's work on the + Asclepiads, Apocyneae and other Orders.) Perhaps you would like just to + glance at such pamphlets as I can lay my hands on, and therefore I will + send them, as if you do not care to see them you can return them at once; + and this will cause you less trouble than writing to say you do not care + to see them. With respect to Primula, and one point about which I feel + positive is that the Bardfield and common oxlips are fundamentally + distinct plants, and that the common oxlip is a sterile hybrid. (694/4. + For a general account of the Bardfield oxlip (Primula elatior) see Miller + Christy, "Linn. Soc. Journ." Volume XXXIII., page 172, 1897.) I have never + heard of the common oxlip being found in great abundance anywhere, and + some amount of difference in number might depend on so small a + circumstance as the presence of some moth which habitually sucked the + primrose and cowslip. To return to the subject of crossing: I am + experimenting on a very large scale on the difference in power and growth + between plants raised from self-fertilised and crossed seeds, and it is no + exaggeration to say that the difference in growth and vigour is sometimes + truly wonderful. Lyell, Huxley, and Hooker have seen some of my plants, + and been astonished; and I should much like to show them to you. I always + supposed until lately that no evil effects would be visible until after + several generations of self-fertilisation, but now I see that one + generation sometimes suffices, and the existence of dimorphic plants and + all the wonderful contrivances of orchids are quite intelligible to me. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 695. TO T.H. FARRER (Lord Farrer). Down, June 5th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + I must write a line to cry peccavi. I have seen the action in Ophrys + exactly as you describe, and am thoroughly ashamed of my inaccuracy. + (695/1. See "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 46, where Lord + Farrer's observations on the movement of the pollinia in Ophrys muscifera + are given.) I find that the pollinia do not move if kept in a very damp + atmosphere under a glass; so that it is just possible, though very + improbable, that I may have observed them during a very damp day. + </p> + <p> + I am not much surprised that I overlooked the movement in Habenaria, as it + takes so long. (695/2. This refers to Peristylus viridis, sometimes known + as Habenaria viridis. Lord Farrer's observations are given in + "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 63.) + </p> + <p> + I am glad you have seen Listera; it requires to be seen to believe in the + co-ordination in the position of the parts, the irritability, and the + chemical nature of the viscid fluid. This reminds me that I carefully + described to Huxley the shooting out of the pollinia in Catasetum, and + received for an answer, "Do you really think that I can believe all that!" + (695/3. See Letter 665.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 696. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, December 2nd, 1868. + </p> + <p> + It is a splendid scheme, and if you make only a beginning on a "Flora," + which shall serve as an index to all papers on curious points in the + life-history of plants, you will do an inestimable good service. Quite + recently I was asked by a man how he could find out what was known on + various biological points in our plants, and I answered that I knew of no + such book, and that he might ask half a dozen botanists before one would + chance to remember what had been published on this or that point. Not long + ago another man, who had been experimenting on the quasi-bulbs on the + leaves of Cardamine, wrote to me to complain that he could not find out + what was known on the subject. It is almost certain that some early or + even advanced students, if they found in their "Flora" a line or two on + various curious points, with references for further investigation, would + be led to make further observations. For instance, a reference to the + viscid threads emitted by the seeds of Compositae, to the apparatus (if it + has been described) by which Oxalis spurts out its seeds, to the + sensitiveness of the young leaves of Oxalis acetosella with reference to + O. sensitiva. Under Lathyrus nissolia it would {be} better to refer to my + hypothetical explanation of the grass-like leaves than to nothing. (696/1. + No doubt the view given in "Climbing Plants," page 201, that L. nissolia + has been evolved from a form like L. aphaca.) Under a twining plant you + might say that the upper part of the shoot steadily revolves with or + against the sun, and so, when it strikes against any object it turns to + the right or left, as the case may be. If, again, references were given to + the parasitism of Euphrasia, etc., how likely it would be that some young + man would go on with the investigation; and so with endless other facts. I + am quite enthusiastic about your idea; it is a grand idea to make a + "Flora" a guide for knowledge already acquired and to be acquired. I have + amused myself by speculating what an enormous number of subjects ought to + be introduced into a Eutopian (696/2. A mis-spelling of Utopian.) Flora, + on the quickness of the germination of the seeds, on their means of + dispersal; on the fertilisation of the flower, and on a score of other + points, about almost all of which we are profoundly ignorant. I am glad to + read what you say about Bentham, for my inner consciousness tells me that + he has run too many forms together. Should you care to see an elaborate + German pamphlet by Hermann Muller on the gradation and distinction of the + forms of Epipactis and of Platanthera? (696/3. "Verhand. d. Nat. Ver. f. + Pr. Rh. u. Wesfal." Jahrg. XXV.: see "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition + II., pages 74, 102.) It may be absurd in me to suggest, but I think you + would find curious facts and references in Lecoq's enormous book (696/4. + "Geographie Botanique," 9 volumes, 1854-58.), in Vaucher's four volumes + (696/5. "Plantes d'Europe," 4 volumes, 1841.), in Hildebrand's + "Geschlechter Vertheilung" (696/6 "Geschlechter Vertheilung bei den + Pflanzen," 1 volume, Leipzig, 1867.), and perhaps in Fournier's "De la + Fecondation." (696/7. "De la Fecondation dans les Phanerogames," par + Eugene Fournier: thesis published in Paris in 1863. The facts noted in + Darwin's copy are the explosive stamens of Parietaria, the submerged + flowers of Alisma containing air, the manner of fertilisation of Lopezia, + etc.) I wish you all success in your gigantic undertaking; but what a pity + you did not think of it ten years ago, so as to have accumulated + references on all sorts of subjects. Depend upon it, you will have started + a new era in the floras of various countries. I can well believe that Mrs. + Hooker will be of the greatest possible use to you in lightening your + labours and arranging your materials. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 697. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, December 5th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + ...Now I want to beg for assistance for the new edition of "Origin." + Nageli himself urges that plants offer many morphological differences, + which from being of no service cannot have been selected, and which he + accounts for by an innate principle of progressive development. (697/1. + Nageli's "Enstehung und Begriff der Naturhistorischen Art." An address + delivered at the public session of the Royal Academy of Sciences of + Munich, March 28th, 1865; published by the Academy. Darwin's copy is the + 2nd edition; it bears signs, in the pencilled notes on the margins, of + having been read with interest. Much of it was translated for him by a + German lady, whose version lies with the original among his pamphlets. At + page 27 Nageli writes: "It is remarkable that the useful adaptations which + Darwin brings forward in the case of animals, and which may be discovered + in numbers among plants, are exclusively of a physiological kind, that + they always show the formation or transformation of an organ to a special + function. I do not know among plants a morphological modification which + can be explained on utilitarian principles." Opposite this passage Darwin + has written "a very good objection": but Nageli's sentence seems to us to + be of the nature of a truism, for it is clear that any structure whose + evolution can be believed to have come about by Natural Selection must + have a function, and the case falls into the physiological category. The + various meanings given to the term morphological makes another difficulty. + Nageli cannot use it in the sense of "structural"—in which sense it + is often applied, since that would mean that no plant structures have a + utilitarian origin. The essence of morphology (in the better and more + precise sense) is descent; thus we say that a pollen-grain is + morphologically a microspore. And this very example serves to show the + falseness of Nageli's view, since a pollen-grain is an adaptation to + aerial as opposed to aquatic fertilisation. In the 5th edition of the + "Origin," 1869, page 151, Darwin discusses Nageli's essay, confining + himself to the simpler statement that there are many structural characters + in plants to which we cannot assign uses. See Volume I., Letter 207.) I + find old notes about this difficulty; but I have hitherto slurred it over. + Nageli gives as instances the alternate and spiral arrangement of leaves, + and the arrangement of the cells in the tissues. Would you not consider as + a morphological difference the trimerous, tetramerous, etc., divisions of + flowers, the ovules being erect or suspended, their attachment being + parietal or placental, and even the shape of the seed when of no service + to the plant. + </p> + <p> + Now, I have thought, and want to show, that such differences follow in + some unexplained manner from the growth or development of plants which + have passed through a long series of adaptive changes. Anyhow, I want to + show that these differences do not support the idea of progressive + development. Cassini states that the ovaria on the circumference and + centre of Compos. flowers differ in essential characters, and so do the + seeds in sculpture. The seeds of Umbelliferae in the same relative + positions are coelospermous and orthospermous. There is a case given by + Augt. St. Hilaire of an erect and suspended ovule in the same ovarium, but + perhaps this hardly bears on the point. The summit flower, in Adoxa and + rue differ from the lower flowers. What is the difference in flowers of + the rue? how is the ovarium, especially in the rue? As Augt. St. Hilaire + insists on the locularity of the ovarium varying on the same plant in some + of the Rutaceae, such differences do not speak, as it seems to me, in + favour of progressive development. Will you turn the subject in your mind, + and tell me any more facts. Difference in structure in flowers in + different parts of the same plant seems best to show that they are the + result of growth or position or amount of nutriment. + </p> + <p> + I have got your photograph (697/2. A photograph by Mrs. Cameron.) over my + chimneypiece, and like it much; but you look down so sharp on me that I + shall never be bold enough to wriggle myself out of any contradiction. + </p> + <p> + Owen pitches into me and Lyell in grand style in the last chapter of + volume 3 of "Anat. of Vertebrates." He is a cool hand. He puts words from + me in inverted commas and alters them. (697/3. The passage referred to + seems to be in Owen's "Anatomy of Vertebrata," III., pages 798, 799, note. + "I deeply regretted, therefore, to see in a 'Historical Sketch' of the + Progress of Enquiry into the origin of species, prefixed to the fourth + edition of that work (1866), that Mr. Darwin, after affirming inaccurately + and without evidence, that I admitted Natural Selection to have done + something toward that end, to wit, the 'origin of species,' proceeds to + remark: 'It is surprising that this admission should not have been made + earlier, as Prof. Owen now believes that he promulgated the theory of + Natural Selection in a passage read before the Zoological Society in + February, 1850, ("Trans." Volume IV., page 15).'" The first of the two + passages quoted by Owen from the fourth edition of the "Origin" runs: "Yet + he {Prof. Owen} at the same time admits that Natural Selection MAY {our + italics} have done something towards this end." In the sixth edition of + the "Origin," page xviii., Darwin, after referring to a correspondence in + the "London Review" between the Editor of that Journal and Owen, goes on: + "It appeared manifest to the editor, as well as to myself, that Prof. Owen + claimed to have promulgated the theory of Natural Selection before I had + done so;...but as far as it is possible to understand certain recently + published passages (Ibid. {"Anat. of Vert."}, Volume III., page 798), I + have either partly or wholly again fallen into error. It is consolatory to + me that others find Prof. Owen's controversial writings as difficult to + understand and to reconcile with each other, as I do. As far as the mere + enunciation of the principle of Natural Selection is concerned, it is + quite immaterial whether or no Prof. Owen preceded me, for both of us, as + shown in this historical sketch, were long ago preceded by Dr. Wells and + Mr. Matthews.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 698. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, December 29th, 1868. + </p> + <p> + Your letter is quite invaluable, for Nageli's essay (698/1. See preceding + Letter.) is so clever that it will, and indeed I know it has produced a + great effect; so that I shall devote three or four pages to an answer. I + have been particularly struck by your statements about erect and suspended + ovules. You have given me heart, and I will fight my battle better than I + should otherwise have done. I think I cannot resist throwing the + contrivances in orchids into his teeth. You say nothing about the flowers + of the rue. (698/2. For Ruta see "Origin," Edition V., page 154.) Ask your + colleagues whether they know anything about the structure of the flower + and ovarium in the uppermost flower. But don't answer on purpose. + </p> + <p> + I have gone through my long Index of "Gardeners' Chronicle," which was + made solely for my own use, and am greatly disappointed to find, as I + fear, hardly anything which will be of use to you. (698/3. For Hooker's + projected biological book, see Letter 696.) I send such as I have for the + chance of their being of use. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 699. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, January 16th {1869}. + </p> + <p> + Your two notes and remarks are of the utmost value, and I am greatly + obliged to you for your criticism on the term. "Morphological" seems quite + just, but I do not see how I can avoid using it. I found, after writing to + you, in Vaucher about the Rue (699/1. "Plantes d'Europe," Volume I., page + 559, 1841.), but from what you say I will speak more cautiously. It is the + Spanish Chesnut that varies in divergence. Seeds named Viola nana were + sent me from Calcutta by Scott. I must refer to the plants as an "Indian + species," for though they have produced hundreds of closed flowers, they + have not borne one perfect flower. (699/2. The cleistogamic flowers of + Viola are used in the discussion on Nageli's views. See "Origin," Edition + V., page 153.) You ask whether I want illustrations "of ovules differing + in position in different flowers on the same plant." If you know of such + cases, I should certainly much like to hear them. Again you speak of the + angle of leaf-divergence varying and the variations being transmitted. Was + the latter point put in in a hurry to round the sentence, or do you really + know of cases? + </p> + <p> + Whilst looking for notes on the variability of the divisions of the + ovarium, position of the ovules, aestivation, etc., I found remarks + written fifteen or twenty years ago, showing that I then supposed that + characters which were nearly uniform throughout whole groups must be of + high vital importance to the plants themselves; consequently I was greatly + puzzled how, with organisms having very different habits of life, this + uniformity could have been acquired through Natural Selection. Now, I am + much inclined to believe, in accordance with the view given towards the + close of my MS., that the near approach to uniformity in such structures + depends on their not being of vital importance, and therefore not being + acted on by Natural Selection. (699/3. This view is given in the "Origin," + Edition VI., page 372.) If you have reflected on this point, what do you + think of it? I hope that you approved of the argument deduced from the + modifications in the small closed flowers. + </p> + <p> + It is only about two years since last edition of "Origin," and I am fairly + disgusted to find how much I have to modify, and how much I ought to add; + but I have determined not to add much. Fleeming Jenkin has given me much + trouble, but has been of more real use to me than any other essay or + review. (699/4. On Fleeming Jenkin's review, "N. British Review," June, + 1867, see "Life and Letters," III., page 107.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 700. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down {January 22nd, 1869}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter is quite splenditious. I am greatly tempted, but shall, I + hope, refrain from using some of your remarks in my chapter on + Classification. It is very true what you say about unimportant characters + being so important systematically; yet it is hardly paradoxical bearing in + mind that the natural system is genetic, and that we have to discover the + genealogies anyhow. Hence such parts as organs of generation are so useful + for classification though not concerned with the manner of life. Hence use + for same purpose of rudimentary organs, etc. You cannot think what a + relief it is that you do not object to this view, for it removes PARTLY a + heavy burden from my shoulders. If I lived twenty more years and was able + to work, how I should have to modify the "Origin," and how much the views + on all points will have to be modified! Well, it is a beginning, and that + is something... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 701. TO T.H. FARRER (Lord Farrer). Down, August 10th, 1869. + </p> + <p> + Your view seems most ingenious and probable; but ascertain in a good many + cases that the nectar is actually within the staminal tube. (701/1. It + seems that Darwin did not know that the staminal tube in the diadelphous + Leguminosae serves as a nectar-holder, and this is surprising, as Sprengel + was aware of the fact.) One can see that if there is to be a split in the + tube, the law of symmetry would lead it to be double, and so free one + stamen. Your view, if confirmed, would be extremely well worth publication + before the Linnean Society. It is to me delightful to see what appears a + mere morphological character found to be of use. It pleases me the more as + Carl Nageli has lately been pitching into me on this head. Hooker, with + whom I discussed the subject, maintained that uses would be found for lots + more structures, and cheered me by throwing my own orchids into my teeth. + (701/2. See Letters 697-700.) + </p> + <p> + All that you say about changed position of the peduncle in bud, in flower, + and in seed, is quite new to me, and reminds me of analogous cases with + tendrils. (701/3. See Vochting, "Bewegung der Bluthen und Fruchte," 1882; + also Kerner, "Pflanzenleben," Volume I., page 494, Volume II., page 121.) + This is well worth working out, and I dare say the brush of the stigma. + </p> + <p> + With respect to the hairs or filaments (about which I once spoke) within + different parts of flowers, I have a splendid Tacsonia with perfectly + pendent flowers, and there is only a microscopical vestige of the corona + of coloured filaments; whilst in most common passion-flowers the flowers + stand upright, and there is the splendid corona which apparently would + catch pollen. (701/4. Sprengel ("Entdeckte Geheimniss," page 164) imagined + that the crown of the Passion-flower served as a nectar-guide and as a + platform for insects, while other rings of filaments served to keep rain + from the nectar. F. Muller, quoted in H. Muller ("Fertilisation," page + 268), looks at the crowns of hairs, ridges in some species, etc., as + gratings serving to imprison flies which attract the fertilising + humming-birds. There is, we believe, no evidence that the corona catches + pollen. See Letter 704, note.) + </p> + <p> + On the lower side of corolla of foxglove there are some fine hairs, but + these seem of not the least use (701/5. It has been suggested that the + hairs serve as a ladder for humble bees; also that they serve to keep out + "unbidden guests.")—a mere purposeless exaggeration of down on + outside—as I conclude after watching the bees at work, and + afterwards covering up some plants; for the protected flowers rarely set + any seed, so that the hairy lower part of corolla does not come into + contact with stigma, as some Frenchman says occurs with some other plants, + as Viola odorata and I think Iris. + </p> + <p> + I heartily wish I could accept your kind invitation, for I am not by + nature a savage, but it is impossible. Forgive my dreadful handwriting, + none of my womenkind are about to act as amanuensis. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 702. TO WILLIAM C. TAIT. + </p> + <p> + (702/1. Mr. Tait, to whom the following letter is addressed, was resident + in Portugal. His kindness in sending plants of Drosophyllum lusitanicum is + acknowledged in "Insectivorous Plants.") + </p> + <p> + Down, March 12th, 1869. + </p> + <p> + I have received your two letters of March 2nd and 5th, and I really do not + know how to thank you enough for your extraordinary kindness and energy. I + am glad to hear that the inhabitants notice the power of the Drosophyllum + to catch flies, for this is the subject of my studies. (702/2. The natives + are said to hang up plants of Drosophyllum in their cottages to act as + fly-papers ("Insectivorous Plants," page 332).) I have observed during + several years the manner in which this is effected, and the results + produced in several species of Drosera, and in the wonderful American + Dionoea, the leaves of which catch insects just like a steel rat-trap. + Hence I was most anxious to learn how the Drosophyllum would act, so that + the Director of the Royal Gardens at Kew wrote some years ago to Portugal + to obtain specimens for me, but quite failed. So you see what a favour you + have conferred on me. With Drosera it is nothing less than marvellous how + minute a fraction of a grain of any nitrogenised matter the plant can + detect; and how differently it behaves when matter, not containing + nitrogen, of the same consistence, whether fluid or solid, is applied to + the glands. It is also exquisitely sensitive to a weight of even the + 1/70000 of a grain. From what I can see of the glands on Drosophyllum I + suspect that I shall find only the commencement, or nascent state of the + wonderful capacities of the Drosera, and this will be eminently + interesting to me. My MS. on this subject has been nearly ready for + publication during some years, but when I shall have strength and time to + publish I know not. + </p> + <p> + And now to turn to other points in your letter. I am quite ignorant of + ferns, and cannot name your specimen. The variability of ferns passes all + bounds. With respect to your Laugher Pigeons, if the same with the two + sub-breeds which I kept, I feel sure from the structure of the skeleton, + etc., that it is a descendant of C. livia. In regard to beauty, I do not + feel the difficulty which you and some others experience. In the last + edition of my "Origin" I have discussed the question, but necessarily very + briefly. (702/3. Fourth Edition, page 238.) A new and I hope amended + edition of the "Origin" is now passing through the press, and will be + published in a month or two, and it will give me great pleasure to send + you a copy. Is there any place in London where parcels are received for + you, or shall I send it by post? With reference to dogs' tails, no doubt + you are aware that a rudimentary stump is regularly inherited by certain + breeds of sheep-dogs, and by Manx cats. You speak of a change in the + position of the axis of the earth: this is a subject quite beyond me, but + I believe the astronomers reject the idea. Nevertheless, I have long + suspected that some periodical astronomical or cosmical cause must be the + agent of the incessant oscillations of level in the earth's crust. About a + month ago I suggested this to a man well capable of judging, but he could + not conceive any such agency; he promised, however, to keep it in mind. I + wish I had time and strength to write to you more fully. I had intended to + send this letter off at once, but on reflection will keep it till I + receive the plants. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 703. TO H. MULLER. Down, March 14th, 1870. + </p> + <p> + I think you have set yourself a new, very interesting, and difficult line + of research. As far as I know, no one has carefully observed the structure + of insects in relation to flowers, although so many have now attended to + the converse relation. (703/1. See Letter 462, also H. Muller, + "Fertilisation of Flowers," English Translation, page 30, on "The insects + which visit flowers." In Muller's book references are given to several of + his papers on this subject.) As I imagine few or no insects are adapted to + suck the nectar or gather the pollen of any single family of plants, such + striking adaptations can hardly, I presume, be expected in insects as in + flowers. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 704. TO T.H. FARRER (Lord Farrer). + </p> + <p> + Down, May 28th, 1870. + </p> + <p> + I suppose I must have known that the stamens recovered their former + position in Berberis (704/1. See Farrer, "Nature," II., 1870, page 164. + Lord Farrer was before H. Muller in making out the mechanism of the + barberry.), for I formerly tried experiments with anaesthetics, but I had + forgotten the facts, and I quite agree with you that it is a sound + argument that the movement is not for self-fertilisation. The N. American + barberries (Mahonia) offer a good proof to what an extent natural crossing + goes on in this genus; for it is now almost impossible in this country to + procure a true specimen of the two or three forms originally introduced. + </p> + <p> + I hope the seeds of Passiflora will germinate, for the turning up of the + pendent flower must be full of meaning. (704/2. Darwin had (May 12th, + 1870) sent to Farrer an extract from a letter from F. Muller, containing a + description of a Passiflora visited by humming-birds, in which the long + flower-stalk curls up so that "the flower itself is upright." Another + species visited by bees is described as having "dependent flowers." In a + letter, June 29th, 1870, Mr. Farrer had suggested that P. princeps, which + he described as having sub-erect flowers, is fitted for humming-birds' + visits. In another letter, October 13th, 1869, he says that Tacsonia, + which has pendent flowers and no corona, is not fertilised by insects in + English glass-houses, and may be adapted for humming-birds. See "Life and + Letters," III., page 279, for Farrer's remarks on Tacsonia and Passiflora; + also H. Muller's "Fertilisation of Flowers," page 268, for what little is + known on the subject; also Letter 701 in the present volume.) I am so glad + that you are able to occupy yourself a little with flowers: I am sure it + is most wise in you, for your own sake and children's sakes. + </p> + <p> + Some little time ago Delpino wrote to me praising the Swedish book on the + fertilisation of plants; as my son George can read a little Swedish, I + should like to have it back for a time, just to hear a little what it is + about, if you would be so kind as to return it by book-post. (704/3. + Severin Axell, "Om anordningarna for de Fanerogama Vaxternas Befruktning," + Stockholm, 1869.) + </p> + <p> + I am going steadily on with my experiments on the comparative growth of + crossed and self-fertilised plants, and am now coming to some very curious + anomalies and some interesting results. I forget whether I showed you any + of them when you were here for a few hours. You ought to see them, as they + explain at a glance why Nature has taken such extraordinary pains to + ensure frequent crosses between distinct individuals. + </p> + <p> + If in the course of the summer you should feel any inclination to come + here for a day or two, I hope that you will propose to do so, for we + should be delighted to see you... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 705. TO ASA GRAY. Down, December 7th, 1870. + </p> + <p> + I have been very glad to receive your letter this morning. I have for some + time been wishing to write to you, but have been half worked to death in + correcting my uncouth English for my new book. (705/1. "Descent of Man.") + I have been glad to hear of your cases appearing like incipient + dimorphism. I believe that they are due to mere variability, and have no + significance. I found a good instance in Nolana prostrata, and + experimented on it, but the forms did not differ in fertility. So it was + with Amsinckia, of which you told me. I have long thought that such + variations afforded the basis for the development of dimorphism. I was not + aware of such cases in Phlox, but have often admired the arrangement of + the anthers, causing them to be all raked by an inserted proboscis. I am + glad also to hear of your curious case of variability in ovules, etc. + </p> + <p> + I said that I had been wishing to write to you, and this was about your + Drosera, which after many fluctuations between life and death, at last + made a shoot which I could observe. The case is rather interesting; but I + must first remind you that the filament of Dionoea is not sensitive to + very light prolonged pressure, or to nitrogenous matter, but is + exquisitely sensitive to the slightest touch. (705/2. In another + connection the following reference to Dionoea is of some interest: "I am + sure I never heard of Curtis's observations on Dionoea, nor have I met + with anything more than general statements about this plant or about + Nepenthes catching insects." (From a letter to Sir J.D. Hooker, July 12th, + 1860.)) In our Drosera the filaments are not sensitive to a slight touch, + but are sensitive to prolonged pressure from the smallest object of any + nature; they are also sensitive to solid or fluid nitrogenous matter. Now + in your Drosera the filaments are not sensitive to a rough touch or to any + pressure from non-nitrogenous matter, but are sensitive to solid or fluid + nitrogenous matter. (705/3. Drosera filiformis: see "Insectivorous + Plants," page 281. The above account does not entirely agree with Darwin's + published statement. The filaments moved when bits of cork or cinder were + placed on them; they did not, however, respond to repeated touches with a + needle, thus behaving differently from D. rotundifolia. It should be + remembered that the last-named species is somewhat variable in reacting to + repeated touches.) Is it not curious that there should be such diversified + sensitiveness in allied plants? + </p> + <p> + I received a very obliging letter from Mr. Morgan, but did not see him, as + I think he said he was going to start at once for the Continent. I am + sorry to hear rather a poor account of Mrs. Gray, to whom my wife and I + both beg to be very kindly remembered. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 706. TO C.V. RILEY. + </p> + <p> + (706/1. In Riley's opinion his most important work was the series entitled + "Annual Report on the Noxious, Beneficial, and other Insects of the State + of Missouri" (Jefferson City), beginning in 1869. These reports were + greatly admired by Mr. Darwin, and his copies of them, especially of Nos. + 3 and 4, show signs of careful reading.) + </p> + <p> + Down, June 1st {1871}. + </p> + <p> + I received some little time ago your report on noxious insects, and have + now read the whole with the greatest interest. (706/2. "Third Annual + Report on the Noxious, Beneficial, and other Insects of the State of + Missouri" (Jefferson City, Mo.). The mimetic case occurs at page 67; the + 1875 pupae of Pterophorus periscelidactylus, the "Grapevine Plume," have + pupae either green or reddish brown, the former variety being found on the + leaves, the latter on the brown stems of the vine.) There are a vast + number of facts and generalisations of value to me, and I am struck with + admiration at your powers of observation. + </p> + <p> + The discussion on mimetic insects seems to me particularly good and + original. Pray accept my cordial thanks for the instruction and interest + which I have received. + </p> + <p> + What a loss to Natural Science our poor mutual friend Walsh has been; it + is a loss ever to be deplored... + </p> + <p> + Your country is far ahead of ours in some respects; our Parliament would + think any man mad who should propose to appoint a State Entomologist. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 707A. TO C.V. RILEY. + </p> + <p> + (706A/1. We have found it convenient to place the two letters to Riley + together, rather than separate them chronologically.) + </p> + <p> + Down, September 28th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I must write half a dozen lines to say how much interested I have been by + your "Further Notes" on Pronuba which you were so kind as to send me. + (706A/2. "Proc. Amer. Assoc. Adv. Sci." 1880.) I had read the various + criticisms, and though I did not know what answer could be made, yet I + felt full confidence in your result, and now I see that I was right...If + you make any further observation on Pronuba it would, I think, be well + worth while for you to observe whether the moth can or does occasionally + bring pollen from one plant to the stigma of a distinct one (706A/3. Riley + discovered the remarkable fact that the Yucca moth (Pronuba yuccasella) + lays its eggs in the ovary of Yucca flowers, which it has previously + pollinated, thus making sure of a supply of ovules for the larvae.), for I + have shown that the cross-fertilisation of the flowers on the same plant + does very little good; and, if I am not mistaken, you believe that Pronuba + gathers pollen from the same flower which she fertilises. + </p> + <p> + What interesting and beautiful observations you have made on the + metamorphoses of the grasshopper-destroying insects. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 707. TO F. HILDEBRAND. Down, February 9th {1872}. + </p> + <p> + Owing to other occupations I was able to read only yesterday your paper on + the dispersal of the seeds of Compositae. (707/1. "Ueber die + Verbreitungsmittel der Compositenfruchte." "Bot. Zeitung," 1872, page 1.) + Some of the facts which you mention are extremely interesting. + </p> + <p> + I write now to suggest as worthy of your examination the curious adhesive + filaments of mucus emitted by the achenia of many Compositae, of which no + doubt you are aware. My attention was first called to the subject by the + achenia of an Australian Pumilio (P. argyrolepis), which I briefly + described in the "Gardeners' Chronicle," 1861, page 5. As the threads of + mucus dry and contract they draw the seeds up into a vertical position on + the ground. It subsequently occurred to me that if these seeds were to + fall on the wet hairs of any quadruped they would adhere firmly, and might + be carried to any distance. I was informed that Decaisne has written a + paper on these adhesive threads. What is the meaning of the mucus so + copiously emitted from the moistened seeds of Iberis, and of at least some + species of Linum? Does the mucus serve as a protection against their being + devoured, or as a means of attachment. (707/2. Various theories have been + suggested, e.g., that the slime by anchoring the seed to the soil + facilitates the entrance of the radicle into the soil: the slime has also + been supposed to act as a temporary water-store. See Klebs in Pfeffer's + "Untersuchungen aus dem Bot. Inst. zu Tubingen," I., page 581.) I have + been prevented reading your paper sooner by attempting to read Dr. + Askenasy's pamphlet, but the German is too difficult for me to make it all + out. (707/3. E. Askenasy, "Beitrage zur Kritik der Darwin'schen Lehre." + Leipzig, 1872.) He seems to follow Nageli completely. I cannot but think + that both much underrate the utility of various parts of plants; and that + they greatly underrate the unknown laws of correlated growth, which leads + to all sorts of modifications, when some one structure or the whole plant + is modified for some particular object. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 708. TO T.H. FARRER. (Lord Farrer). + </p> + <p> + (708/1. The following letter refers to a series of excellent observations + on the fertilisation of Leguminosae, made by Lord Farrer in the autumn of + 1869, in ignorance of Delpino's work on the subject. The result was + published in "Nature," October 10th and 17th, 1872, and is full of + interesting suggestions. The discovery of the mechanism in Coronilla + mentioned in a note was one of the cases in which Lord Farrer was + forestalled.) + </p> + <p> + Down {1872}. + </p> + <p> + I declare I am almost as sorry as if I had been myself forestalled—indeed, + more so, for I am used to it. It is, however, a paramount, though + bothersome duty in every naturalist to try and make out all that has been + done by others on the subject. By all means publish next summer your + confirmation and a summary of Delpino's observations, with any new ones of + your own. Especially attend about the nectary exterior to the staminal + tube. (708/2. This refers to a species of Coronilla in which Lord Farrer + made the remarkable discovery that the nectar is secreted on the outside + of the calyx. See "Nature," July 2nd, 1874, page 169; also Letter 715.) + This will in every way be far better than writing to Delpino. It would not + be at all presumptuous in you to criticise Delpino. I am glad you think + him so clever; for so it struck me. + </p> + <p> + Look at hind legs yourself of some humble and hive-bees; in former take a + very big individual (if any can be found) for these are the females, the + males being smaller, and they have no pollen-collecting apparatus. I do + not remember where it is figured—probably in Kirby & Spence—but + actual inspection better... + </p> + <p> + Please do not return any of my books until all are finished, and do not + hurry. + </p> + <p> + I feel certain you will make fine discoveries. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 709. TO T.H. FARRER. (Lord Farrer). Sevenoaks, October 13th, 1872. + </p> + <p> + I must send you a line to say how extremely good your article appears to + me to be. It is even better than I thought, and I remember thinking it + very good. I am particularly glad of the excellent summary of evidence + about the common pea, as it will do for me hereafter to quote; nocturnal + insects will not do. I suspect that the aboriginal parent had bluish + flowers. I have seen several times bees visiting common and sweet peas, + and yet varieties, purposely grown close together, hardly ever intercross. + This is a point which for years has half driven me mad, and I have + discussed it in my "Var. of Animals and Plants under Dom." (709/1. In the + second edition (1875) of the "Variation of Animals and Plants," Volume I., + page 348, Darwin added, with respect to the rarity of spontaneous crosses + in Pisum: "I have reason to believe that this is due to their stignas + being prematurely fertilised in this country by pollen from the same + flower." This explanation is, we think, almost certainly applicable to + Lathyrus odoratus, though in Darwin's latest publication on the subject he + gives reasons to the contrary. See "Cross and Self-Fertilisation," page + 156, where the problem is left unsolved. Compare Letter 714 to Delpino. In + "Life and Letters," III., page 261, the absence of cross-fertilisation is + explained as due to want of perfect adaptation between the pea and our + native insects. This is Hermann Muller's view: see his "Fertilisation of + Flowers," page 214. See Letter 583, note.) I now suspect (and I wish I had + strength to experimentise next spring) that from changed climate both + species are prematurely fertilised, and therefore hardly ever cross. When + artificially crossed by removal of own pollen in bud, the offspring are + very vigorous. + </p> + <p> + Farewell.—I wish I could compel you to go on working at + fertilisation instead of so insignificant a subject as the commerce of the + country! + </p> + <p> + You pay me a very pretty compliment at the beginning of your paper. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 710. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (710/1. The following letters to Sir J.D. Hooker and the late Mr. + Moggridge refer to Moggridge's observation that seeds stored in the nest + of the ant Atta at Mentone do not germinate, though they are certainly not + dead. Moggridge's observations are given in his book, "Harvesting Ants and + Trap-Door Spiders," 1873, which is full of interesting details. The book + is moreover remarkable in having resuscitated our knowledge of the + existence of the seed-storing habit. Mr. Moggridge points out that the + ancients were familiar with the facts, and quotes the well-known fable of + the ant and the grasshopper, which La Fontaine borrowed from Aesop. Mr. + Moggridge (page 5) goes on: "So long as Europe was taught Natural History + by southern writers the belief prevailed; but no sooner did the tide begin + to turn, and the current of information to flood from north to south, than + the story became discredited." + </p> + <p> + In Moggridge's "supplement" on the same subject, published in 1874, the + author gives an account of his experiments made at Darwin's suggestion, + and concludes (page 174) that "the vapour of formic acid is incapable of + rendering the seeds dormant after the manner of the ants," and that indeed + "its influence is always injurious to the seeds, even when present only in + excessively minute quantities." Though unable to explain the method + employed, he was convinced "that the non-germination of the seeds is due + to some direct influence voluntarily exercised by the ants, and not merely + to the conditions found in the nest" (page 172). See Volume I., Letter + 251.) + </p> + <p> + Down, February 21st {1873}. + </p> + <p> + You have given me exactly the information which I wanted. + </p> + <p> + Geniuses jump. I have just procured formic acid to try whether its vapour + or minute drops will delay germination of fresh seeds; trying others at + same time for comparison. But I shall not be able to try them till middle + of April, as my despotic wife insists on taking a house in London for a + month from the middle of March. + </p> + <p> + I am glad to hear of the Primer (710/2. "Botany" (Macmillan's Science + Primers).); it is not at all, I think, a folly. Do you know Asa Gray's + child book on the functions of plants, or some such title? It is very good + in giving an interest to the subject. + </p> + <p> + By the way, can you lend me the January number of the "London Journal of + Botany" for an article on insect-agency in fertilisation? + </p> + <p> + LETTER 711. TO J. TRAHERNE MOGGRIDGE. Down, August 27th, 1873. + </p> + <p> + I thank you for your very interesting letter, and I honour you for your + laborious and careful experiments. No one knows till he tries how many + unexpected obstacles arise in subjecting plants to experiments. + </p> + <p> + I can think of no suggestions to make; but I may just mention that I had + intended to try the effects of touching the dampened seeds with the + minutest drop of formic acid at the end of a sharp glass rod, so as to + imitate the possible action of the sting of the ant. I heartily hope that + you may be rewarded by coming to some definite result; but I fail five + times out of six in my own experiments. I have lately been trying some + with poor success, and suppose that I have done too much, for I have been + completely knocked up for some days. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 712. TO J. TRAHERNE MOGGRIDGE. Down, March 10th, 1874. + </p> + <p> + I am very sorry to hear that the vapour experiments have failed; but + nothing could be better, as it seems to me, than your plan of enclosing a + number of the ants with the seeds. The incidental results on the power of + different vapours in killing seeds and stopping germination appear very + curious, and as far as I know are quite new. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I never before heard of seeds not germinating except during a + certain season; it will be a very strange fact if you can prove this. + (712/1. Certain seeds pass through a resting period before germination. + See Pfeffer's "Pflanzenphysiologie," Edition I., Volume II., page III.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 713. TO H. MULLER. Down, May 30th, 1873. + </p> + <p> + I am much obliged for your letter received this morning. I write now + chiefly to give myself the pleasure of telling you how cordially I admire + the last part of your book, which I have finished. (713/1. "Die + Befruchtung der Blumen durch Insekten": Leipzig, 1873. An English + translation was published in 1883 by Prof. D'Arcy Thompson. The "Prefatory + Notice" to this work (February 6th, 1882) is almost the last of Mr. + Darwin's writings. See "Life and Letters," page 281.) The whole discussion + seems to me quite excellent, and it has pleased me not a little to find + that in the rough MS. of my last chapter I have arrived on many points at + nearly the same conclusions that you have done, though we have reached + them by different routes. (713/2. "The Effects of Cross and + Self-Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom": London, 1876.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 714. TO F. DELPINO. Down, June 25th {1873}. + </p> + <p> + I thank you sincerely for your letter. I am very glad to hear about + Lathyrus odoratus, for here in England the vars. never cross, and yet are + sometimes visited by bees. (714/1. In "Cross and Self-Fertilisation," page + 156, Darwin quotes the information received from Delpino and referred to + in the present letter—namely, that it is the fixed opinion of the + Italian gardeners that the varieties do intercross. See Letter 709.) Pisum + sativum I have also many times seen visited by Bombus. I believe the cause + of the many vars. not crossing is that under our climate the flowers are + self-fertilised at an early period, before the corolla is fully expanded. + I shall examine this point with L. odoratus. I have read H. Muller's book, + and it seems to me very good. Your criticism had not occurred to me, but + is, I think just—viz. that it is much more important to know what + insects habitually visit any flower than the various kinds which + occasionally visit it. Have you seen A. Kerner's book "Schutzmittel des + Pollens," 1873, Innsbruck. (714/2. Afterwards translated by Dr. Ogle as + "Flowers and their Unbidden Guests," with a prefatory letter by Charles + Darwin, 1878.) It is very interesting, but he does not seem to know + anything about the work of other authors. + </p> + <p> + I have Bentham's paper in my house, but have not yet had time to read a + word of it. He is a man with very sound judgment, and fully admits the + principle of evolution. + </p> + <p> + I have lately had occasion to look over again your discussion on + anemophilous plants, and I have again felt much admiration at your work. + (714/3. "Atti della Soc. Italiana di Scienze Nat." Volume XIII.) + </p> + <p> + (714/4. In the beginning of August, 1873, Darwin paid the first of several + visits to Lord Farrer's house at Abinger. When sending copies of Darwin's + letters for the "Life and Letters," Lord Farrer was good enough to add + explanatory notes and recollections, from which we quote the following + sketch.) + </p> + <p> + "Above my house are some low hills, standing up in the valley, below the + chalk range on the one hand and the more distant range of Leith Hill on + the other, with pretty views of the valley towards Dorking in one + direction and Guildford in the other. They are composed of the less + fertile Greensand strata, and are covered with fern, broom, gorse, and + heath. Here it was a particular pleasure of his to wander, and his tall + figure, with his broad-brimmed Panama hat and long stick like an + alpenstock, sauntering solitary and slow over our favourite walks, is one + of the pleasantest of the many pleasant associations I have with the + place." + </p> + <p> + LETTER 715. TO T.H. FARRER (Lord Farrer). + </p> + <p> + (715/1. The following note by Lord Farrer explains the main point of the + letter, which, however, refers to the "bloom" problem as well as to + Coronilla:— + </p> + <p> + "I thought I had found out what puzzled us in Coronilla varia: in most of + the Papilionaceae, when the tenth stamen is free, there is nectar in the + staminal tube, and the opening caused by the free stamen enables the bee + to reach the nectar, and in so doing the bee fertilises the plant. In + Coronilla varia, and in several other species of Coronilla, there is no + nectar in the staminal tube or in the tube of the corolla. But there are + peculiar glands with nectar on the outside of the calyx, and peculiar + openings in the tube of the corolla through which the proboscis of the + bee, whilst entering the flower in the usual way and dusting itself with + pollen, can reach these glands, thus fertilising the plant in getting the + nectar. On writing this to Mr. Darwin, I received the following + characteristic note. + </p> + <p> + The first postscript relates to the rough ground behind my house, over + which he was fond of strolling. It had been ploughed up and then allowed + to go back, and the interest was to watch how the numerous species of + weeds of cultivation which followed the plough gradually gave way in the + struggle for existence to the well-known and much less varied flora of an + English common.") + </p> + <p> + Bassett, Southampton, August 14th, 1873. + </p> + <p> + You are the man to conquer a Coronilla. (715/2. In a former letter to Lord + Farrer, Darwin wrote: "Here is a maxim for you, 'It is disgraceful to be + beaten by a Coronilla.'") I have been looking at the half-dried flowers, + and am prepared to swear that you have solved the mystery. The difference + in the size of the cells on the calyx under the vexillum right down to the + common peduncle is conspicuous. The flour still adhered to this side; I + see little bracteae or stipules apparently with glandular ends at the base + of the calyces. Do these secrete? It seems to me a beautiful case. When I + saw the odd shape of the base of the vexillum, I concluded that it must + have some meaning, but little dreamt what that was. Now there remains only + the one serious point—viz.the separation of the one stamen. I + daresay that you are right in that nectar was originally secreted within + the staminal tube; but why has not the one stamen long since cohered? The + great difference in structure for fertilisation within the same genus + makes one believe that all such points are vary variable. (715/3. + Coronilla emerus is of the ordinary papilionaceous type.) With respect to + the non-coherence of the one stamen, do examine some flower-buds at a very + early age; for parts which are largely developed are often developed to an + unusual degree at a very early age, and it seems to me quite possible that + the base of the vexillum (to which the single stamen adhered) might thus + be developed, and thus keep it separate for a time from the other stamens. + The cohering stamens to the right and left of the single one seem to me to + be pushed out a little laterally. When you have finished your + observations, you really ought to send an account with a diagram to + "Nature," recalling your generalisation about the diadelphous structure, + and now explaining the exception of Coronilla. (715/4. The observations + were published in "Nature," Volume X., 1874, page 169.) + </p> + <p> + Do add a remark how almost every detail of structure has a meaning where a + flower is well examined. + </p> + <p> + Your observations pleased me so much that I could not sit still for half + an hour. + </p> + <p> + Please to thank Mr. Payne (715/5. Lord Farrer's gardener.) for his + remarks, which are of value to me, with reference to Mimosa. I am very + much in doubt whether opening the sashes can act by favouring the + evaporation of the drops; may not the movement of the leaves shake off the + drops, or change their places? If Mr. Payne remembers any plant which is + easily injured by drops, I wish he would put a drop or two on a leaf on a + bright day, and cover the plant with a clean bell-glass, and do the same + for another plant, but without a bell-glass over it, and observe the + effects. + </p> + <p> + Thank you much for wishing to see us again at Abinger, and it is very + doubtful whether it will be Coronilla, Mr. Payne, the new garden, the + children, E. {Lady Farrer}, or yourself which will give me the most + pleasure to see again. + </p> + <p> + P.S. 1.—It will be curious to note in how many years the rough + ground becomes quite uniform in its flora. + </p> + <p> + P.S. 2.—One may feel sure that periodically nectar was secreted + within the flower and then secreted by the calyx, as in some species of + Iris and orchids. This latter being taken advantage of in Coronilla would + allow of the secretion within the flower ceasing, and as this change was + going on in the two secretions, all the parts of the flower would become + modified and correlated. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 716. TO J. BURDON SANDERSON. Down, Tuesday, September 9th {1873}. + </p> + <p> + (716/1. Sir J. Burdon Sanderson showed that in Dionoea movement is + accompanied by electric disturbances closely analogous to those occurring + in muscle (see "Nature," 1874, pages 105, 127; "Proc. R. Soc." XXI., and + "Phil. Trans." Volume CLXXIII., 1883, where the results are finally + discussed).) + </p> + <p> + I will send up early to-morrow two plants {of Dionoea} with five goodish + leaves, which you will know by their being tied to sticks. Please remember + that the slightest touch, even by a hair, of the three filaments on each + lobe makes the leaf close, and it will not open for twenty-four hours. You + had better put 1/4 in. of water into the saucers of the pots. The plants + have been kept too cool in order to retard them. You had better keep them + rather warm (i.e. temperature of warm greenhouse) for a day, and in a good + light. + </p> + <p> + I am extremely glad you have undertaken this subject. If you get a + positive result, I should think you ought to publish it separately, and I + could quote it; or I should be most glad to introduce any note by you into + my account. + </p> + <p> + I have no idea whether it is troublesome to try with the thermo-electric + pile any change of temperature when the leaf closes. I could detect none + with a common thermometer. But if there is any change of temperature I + should expect it would occur some eight to twelve or twenty-four hours + after the leaf has been given a big smashed fly, and when it is copiously + secreting its acid digestive fluid. + </p> + <p> + I forgot to say that, as far as I can make out, the inferior surface of + the leaf is always in a state of tension, and that the contraction is + confined to the upper surface; so that when this contraction ceases or + suddenly fails (as by immersion in boiling water) the leaf opens again, or + more widely than is natural to it. + </p> + <p> + Whenever you have quite finished, I will send for the plants in their + basket. My son Frank is staying at 6, Queen Anne Street, and comes home on + Saturday afternoon, but you will not have finished by that time. + </p> + <p> + P.S. I have repeated my experiment on digestion in Drosera with complete + success. By giving leaves a very little weak hydrochloric acid, I can make + them digest albumen—i.e. white of egg—quicker than they can do + naturally. I most heartily thank you for all your kindness. I have been + pretty bad lately, and must work very little. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 717. TO J. BURDON SANDERSON. September 13th {1873}. + </p> + <p> + How very kind it was of you to telegraph to me. I am quite delighted that + you have got a decided result. Is it not a very remarkable fact? It seems + so to me, in my ignorance. I wish I could remember more distinctly what I + formerly read of Du Bois Raymond's results. My poor memory never serves me + for more than a vague guide. I really think you ought to try Drosera. In a + weak solution of phosphate of ammonia (viz. 1 gr. to 20 oz. of water) it + will contract in about five minutes, and even more quickly in pure warm + water; but then water, I suppose, would prevent your trial. I forget, but + I think it contracts pretty quickly (i.e. in an hour or two) with a large + drop of a rather stronger solution of the phosphate, or with an atom of + raw meat on the disc of the leaf. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 718. TO J.D. HOOKER. October 31st, 1873. + </p> + <p> + Now I want to tell you, for my own pleasure, about the movements of + Desmodium. + </p> + <p> + 1. When the plant goes to sleep, the terminal leaflets hang vertically + down, but the petioles move up towards the axis, so that the dependent + leaves are all crowded round it. The little leaflets never go to sleep, + and this seems to me very odd; they are at their games of play as late as + 11 o'clock at night and probably later. (718/1. Stahl ("Botanische + Zeitung," 1897, page 97) has suggested that the movements of the dwarf + leaflets in Desmodium serve to shake the large terminal leaflets, and thus + increase transpiration. According to Stahl's view their movement would be + more useful at night than by day, because stagnation of the + transpiration-current is more likely to occur at night.) + </p> + <p> + 2. If the plant is shaken or syringed with tepid water, the terminal + leaflets move down through about an angle of 45 deg, and the petioles + likewise move about 11 deg downwards; so that they move in an opposite + direction to what they do when they go to sleep. Cold water or air + produces the same effect as does shaking. The little leaflets are not in + the least affected by the plant being shaken or syringed. I have no doubt, + from various facts, that the downward movement of the terminal leaflets + and petioles from shaking and syringing is to save them from injury from + warm rain. + </p> + <p> + 3. The axis, the main petiole, and the terminal leaflets are all, when the + temperature is high, in constant movement, just like that of climbing + plants. This movement seems to be of no service, any more than the + incessant movement of amoeboid bodies. The movement of the terminal + leaflets, though insensible to the eye, is exactly the same as that of the + little lateral leaflets—viz. from side to side, up and down, and + half round their own axes. The only difference is that the little leaflets + move to a much greater extent, and perhaps more rapidly; and they are + excited into movement by warm water, which is not the case with the + terminal leaflet. Why the little leaflets, which are rudimentary in size + and have lost their sleep-movements and their movements from being shaken, + should not only have retained, but have their spontaneous movements + exaggerated, I cannot conceive. It is hardly credible that it is a case of + compensation. All this makes me very anxious to examine some plant (if + possible one of the Leguminosae) with either the terminal or lateral + leaflets greatly reduced in size, in comparison with the other leaflets on + the same leaf. Can you or any of your colleagues think of any such plant? + It is indirectly on this account that I so much want the seeds of Lathyrus + nissolia. + </p> + <p> + I hear from Frank that you think that the absence of both lateral + leaflets, or of one alone, is due to their having dropped off; I thought + so at first, and examined extremely young leaves from the tips of the + shoots, and some of them presented the same characters. Some appearances + make me think that they abort by becoming confluent with the main petiole. + </p> + <p> + I hear also that you doubt about the little leaflets ever standing not + opposite to each other: pray look at the enclosed old leaf which has been + for a time in spirits, and can you call the little leaflets opposite? I + have seen many such cases on both my plants, though few so well marked. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 719. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, October 23rd {1873}. + </p> + <p> + How good you have been about the plants; but indeed I did not intend you + to write about Drosophyllum, though I shall be very glad to have a + specimen. Experiments on other plants lead to fresh experiments. Neptunia + is evidently a hopeless case. I shall be very glad of the other plants + whenever they are ready. I constantly fear that I shall become to you a + giant of bores. + </p> + <p> + I am delighted to hear that you are at work on Nepenthes, and I hope that + you will have good luck. It is good news that the fluid is acid; you ought + to collect a good lot and have the acid analysed. I hope that the work + will give you as much pleasure as analogous work has me. (719/1. Hooker's + work on Nepenthes is referred to in "Insectivorous Plants," page 97: see + also his address at the Belfast meeting of the British Association, 1874.) + I do not think any discovery gave me more pleasure than proving a true act + of digestion in Drosera. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 720. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, November 24th, 1873. + </p> + <p> + I have been greatly interested by Mimosa albida, on which I have been + working hard. Whilst your memory is pretty fresh, I want to ask a + question. When this plant was most sensitive, and you irritated it, did + the opposite leaflets shut up quite close, as occurs during sleep, when + even a lancet could not be inserted between the leaflets? I can never + cause the leaflets to come into contact, and some reasons make me doubt + whether they ever do so except during sleep; and this makes me wish much + to hear from you. I grieve to say that the plant looks more unhealthy, + even, than it was at Kew. I have nursed it like the tenderest infant; but + I was forced to cut off one leaf to try the bloom, and one was broken by + the manner of packing. I have never syringed (with tepid water) more than + one leaf per day; but if it dies, I shall feel like a murderer. I am + pretty well convinced that I shall make out my case of movements as a + protection against rain lodging on the leaves. As far as I have as yet + made out, M. albida is a splendid case. + </p> + <p> + I have had no time to examine more than one species of Eucalyptus. The + seedlings of Lathyrus nissolia are very interesting to me; and there is + something wonderful about them, unless seeds of two distinct leguminous + species have got somehow mingled together. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 721. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, December 4th, 1873. + </p> + <p> + As Hooker is so busy, I should be very much obliged if you could give me + the name of the enclosed poor specimen of Cassia. I want much to know its + name, as its power of movement, when it goes to sleep, is very remarkable. + Linnaeus, I find, was aware of this. It twists each separate leaflet + almost completely round (721/1. See "Power of Movement in Plants," Figure + 154, page 370.), so that the lower surface faces the sky, at the same time + depressing them all. The terminal leaflets are pointed towards the base of + the leaf. The whole leaf is also raised up about 12 deg. When I saw that + it possessed such complex powers of movement, I thought it would utilise + its power to protect the leaflets from rain. Accordingly I syringed the + plant for two minutes, and it was really beautiful to see how each leaflet + on the younger leaves twisted its short sub-petiole, so that the blade was + immediately directed at an angle between 45 and 90 deg to the horizon. I + could not resist the pleasure of just telling you why I want to know the + name of the Cassia. I should add that it is a greenhouse plant. I suppose + that there will not be any better flowers till next summer or autumn. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 722. TO T. BELT. + </p> + <p> + (722/1. Belt's account, discussed in this letter, is probably that + published in his "Naturalist in Nicaragua" (1874), where he describes "the + relation between the presence of honey-secreting glands on plants, and the + protection to the latter secured by the attendance of ants attracted by + the honey." (Op. cit., pages 222 et seq.)) + </p> + <p> + Thursday {1874?}. + </p> + <p> + Your account of the ants and their relations seems to me to possess + extraordinary interest. I do not doubt that the excretion of sweet fluid + by the glands is in your cases of great advantage to the plants by means + of the ants, but I cannot avoid believing that primordially it is a simple + excretion, as occasionally occurs from the surface of the leaves of lime + trees. It is quite possible that the primordial excretion may have been + beneficially increased to serve the plant. In the common laurel {Prunus + laurocerasus} of our gardens the hive-bees visit incessantly the glands of + the young leaves, on their under sides; and I should altogether doubt + whether their visits or the occasional visits of ants was of any service + to the laurel. The stipules of the common vetch secrete largely during + sunshine, and hive-bees collect the sweet fluid. So I think it is with the + common bean. + </p> + <p> + I am writing this away from home, and I have come away to get some rest, + having been a good deal overworked. I shall read your book with great + interest when published, but will not trouble you to send the MS., as I + really have no spare strength or time. I believe that your book, judging + by the chapter sent, will be extremely valuable. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 723. TO J.D. HOOKER. + </p> + <p> + (723/1. The following letter refers to Darwin's prediction as to the + manner in which Hedychium (Zinziberaceae) is fertilised. Sir J.D. Hooker + seems to have made inquiries in India in consequence of which Darwin + received specimens of the moth which there visits the flower, + unfortunately so much broken as to be useless (see "Life and Letters," + III., page 284).) + </p> + <p> + Down, March 25th {1874}. + </p> + <p> + I am glad to hear about the Hedychium, and how soon you have got an + answer! I hope that the wings of the Sphinx will hereafter prove to be + bedaubed with pollen, for the case will then prove a fine bit of prophecy + from the structure of a flower to special and new means of fertilisation. + </p> + <p> + By the way, I suppose you have noticed what a grand appearance the plant + makes when the green capsules open, and display the orange and crimson + seeds and interior, so as to attract birds, like the pale buff flowers to + attract dusk-flying lepidoptera. I presume you do not want seeds of this + plant, as I have plenty from artificial fertilisation. + </p> + <p> + (723/2. In "Nature," June 22nd, 1876, page 173, Hermann Muller + communicated F. Muller's observation on the fertilisation of a + bright-red-flowered species of Hedychium, which is visited by Callidryas, + chiefly the males of C. Philea. The pollen is carried by the tips of the + butterfly's wing, to which it is temporarily fixed by the slimy layer + produced by the degeneration of the anther-wall. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 724. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, June 4th {1874}. + </p> + <p> + I am greatly obliged to you about the Opuntia, and shall be glad if you + can remember Catalpa. I wish some facts on the action of water, because I + have been so surprised at a stream not acting on Dionoea and Drosera. + (724/1. See Pfeffer, "Untersuchungen Bot. Inst. zu Tubingen," Bd. I., + 1885, page 518. Pfeffer shows that in some cases—Drosera, for + instance—water produces movement only when it contains fine + particles in suspension. According to Pfeffer the stamens of Berberis, and + the stigma of Mimulus, are both stimulated by gelatine, the action of + which is, generally speaking, equivalent to that of water.) Water does not + act on the stamens of Berberis, but it does on the stigma of Mimulus. It + causes the flowers of the bedding-out Mesembryanthemum and Drosera to + close, but it has not this effect on Gazania and the daisy, so I can make + out no rule. + </p> + <p> + I hope you are going on with Nepenthes; and if so, you will perhaps like + to hear that I have just found out that Pinguicula can digest albumen, + gelatine, etc. If a bit of glass or wood is placed on a leaf, the + secretion is not increased; but if an insect or animal-matter is thus + placed, the secretion is greatly increased and becomes feebly acid, which + was not the case before. I have been astonished and much disturbed by + finding that cabbage seeds excite a copious secretion, and am now + endeavouring to discover what this means. (724/2. Clearly it had not + occurred to Darwin that seeds may supply nitrogenous food as well as + insects: see "Insectivorous Plants," page 390.) Probably in a few days' + time I shall have to beg a little information from you, so I will write no + more now. + </p> + <p> + P.S. I heard from Asa Gray a week ago, and he tells me a beautiful fact: + not only does the lid of Sarracenia secrete a sweet fluid, but there is a + line or trail of sweet exudation down to the ground so as to tempt insects + up. (724/3. A dried specimen of Sarracenia, stuffed with cotton wool, was + sometimes brought from his study by Mr. Darwin, and made the subject of a + little lecture to visitors of natural history tastes.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 725. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, June 23rd, 1874. + </p> + <p> + I wrote to you about a week ago, thanking you for information on cabbage + seeds, asking you the name of Luzula or Carex, and on some other points; + and I hope before very long to receive an answer. You must now, if you + can, forgive me for being very troublesome, for I am in that state in + which I would sacrifice friend or foe. I have ascertained that bits of + certain leaves, for instance spinach, excite much secretion in Pinguicula, + and that the glands absorb matter from the leaves. Now this morning I have + received a lot of leaves from my future daughter-in-law in North Wales, + having a surprising number of captured insects on them, a good many + leaves, and two seed-capsules. She informs me that the little leaves had + excited secretion; and my son and I have ascertained this morning that the + protoplasm in the glands beneath the little leaves has undoubtedly + undergone aggregation. Therefore, absurd as it may sound, I am prepared to + affirm that Pinguicula is not only insectivorous, but graminivorous, and + granivorous! Now I want to beg you to look under the simple microscope at + the enclosed leaves and seeds, and, if you possibly can, tell me their + genera. The little narrow leaves are remarkable (725/1. Those of Erica + tetralix.); they are fleshy, with the edges much curled from the axis of + the plant, and bear a few long glandular hairs; these grow in little + tufts. These are the commonest in Pinguicula, and seem to afford most + nutritious matter. A second leaf is like a miniature sycamore. With + respect to the seeds, I suppose that one is a Carex; the other looks like + that of Rumex, but is enclosed in a globular capsule. The Pinguicula grew + on marshy, low, mountainous land. + </p> + <p> + I hope you will think this subject sufficiently interesting to make you + willing to aid me as far as you can. Anyhow, forgive me for being so very + troublesome. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 726. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, August 30th {1874}. + </p> + <p> + I am particularly obliged for your address. (726/1. Presidential address + (Biological Section) at the Belfast meeting of the British Association, + 1874.) It strikes me as quite excellent, and has interested me in the + highest degree. Nor is this due to my having worked at the subject, for I + feel sure that I should have been just as much struck, perhaps more so, if + I had known nothing about it. You could not, in my opinion, have put the + case better. There are several lights (besides the facts) in your essay + new to me, and you have greatly honoured me. I heartily congratulate you + on so splendid a piece of work. There is a misprint at page 7, Mitschke + for Nitschke. There is a partial error at page 8, where you say that + Drosera is nearly indifferent to organic substances. This is much too + strong, though they do act less efficiently than organic with soluble + nitrogenous matter; but the chief difference is in the widely different + period of subsequent re-expansion. Thirdly, I did not suggest to Sanderson + his electrical experiments, though, no doubt, my remarks led to his + thinking of them. + </p> + <p> + Now for your letter: you are very generous about Dionoea, but some of my + experiments will require cutting off leaves, and therefore injuring + plants. I could not write to Lady Dorothy {Nevill}. Rollisson says that + they expect soon a lot from America. If Dionoea is not despatched, have + marked on address, "to be forwarded by foot-messenger." + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Barber's paper is very curious, and ought to be published (726/2. + Mrs. Barber's paper on the pupa of Papilio Nireus assuming different tints + corresponding to the objects to which it was attached, was communicated by + Mr. Darwin to the "Trans. Entomolog. Soc." 1874.); but when you come here + (and REMEMBER YOU OFFERED TO COME) we will consult where to send it. Let + me hear when you recommence on Cephalotus or Sarracenia, as I think I am + now on right track about Utricularia, after wasting several weeks in + fruitless trials and observations. The negative work takes five times more + time than the positive. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 727. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, September 18th {1874}. + </p> + <p> + I have had a splendid day's work, and must tell you about it. + </p> + <p> + Lady Dorothy sent me a young plant of U{tricularia} montana (727/1. See + "Life and Letters," III., page 327, and "Insectivorous Plants," page + 431.), which I fancy is the species you told me of. The roots or rhizomes + (for I know not which they are; I can see no scales or internodes or + absorbent hairs) bear scores of bladders from 1/20 to 1/100 of an inch in + diameter; and I traced these roots to the depth of 1 1/2 in. in the peat + and sand. The bladders are like glass, and have the same essential + structure as those of our species, with the exception that many exterior + parts are aborted. Internally the structure is perfect, as is the minute + valvular opening into the bladder, which is filled with water. I then felt + sure that they captured subterranean insects, and after a time I found two + with decayed remnants, with clear proof that something had been absorbed, + which had generated protoplasm. When you are here I shall be very curious + to know whether they are roots or rhizomes. + </p> + <p> + Besides the bladders there are great tuber-like swellings on the rhizomes; + one was an inch in length and half in breadth. I suppose these must have + been described. I strongly suspect that they serve as reservoirs for + water. (727/2. The existence of water-stores is quite in accordance with + the epiphytic habit of the plant.) But I shall experimentise on this head. + A thin slice is a beautiful object, and looks like coarsely reticulated + glass. + </p> + <p> + If you have an old plant which could be turned out of its pot (and can + spare the time), it would be a great gain to me if you would tear off a + bit of the roots near the bottom, and shake them well in water, and see + whether they bear these minute glass-like bladders. I should also much + like to know whether old plants bear the solid bladder-like bodies near + the upper surface of the pot. These bodies are evidently enlargements of + the roots or rhizomes. You must forgive this long letter, and make + allowance for my delight at finding this new sub-group of insect-catchers. + Sir E. Tennent speaks of an aquatic species of Utricularia in Ceylon, + which has bladders on its roots, and rises annually to the surface, as he + says, by this means. (727/3. Utricularia stellaris. Emerson Tennent's + "Ceylon," Volume I., page 124, 1859.) + </p> + <p> + We shall be delighted to see you here on the 26th; if you will let us know + your train we will send to meet you. You will have to work like a slave + while you are here. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 728. TO J. JENNER WEIR. + </p> + <p> + (728/1. In 1870 Mr. Jenner Weir wrote to Darwin: "My brother has but two + kinds of laburnum, viz., Cytisus purpureus, very erect, and Cytisus + alpinus, very pendulous. He has several stocks of the latter grafted with + the purple one; and this year, the grafts being two years old, I saw in + one, fairly above the stock, about four inches, a raceme of purely yellow + flowers with the usual dark markings, and above them a bunch of purely + purple flowers; the branches of the graft in no way showed an intermediate + character, but had the usual rigid growth of purpureus." + </p> + <p> + Early in July 1875, when Darwin was correcting a new edition of "Variation + under Domestication," he again corresponded with Mr. Weir on the subject.) + </p> + <p> + Down, July 8th {1875}. + </p> + <p> + I thank you cordially. The case interests me in a higher degree than + anything which I have heard for a very long time. Is it your brother + Harrison W., whom I know? I should like to hear where the garden is. There + is one other very important point which I am most anxious to hear—viz., + the nature of the leaves at the base of the yellow racemes, for leaves are + always there produced with the yellow laburnums, and I suppose so in the + case of C. purpureus. As the tree has produced yellow racemes several + times, do you think you could ask your brother to cut off and send me by + post in a box a small branch of the purple stock with the pods or leaves + of the yellow sport? (728/2. "The purple stock" here means the supposed C. + purpureus, on which a yellow-flowered branch was borne.) This would be an + immense favour, for then I would cut the point of junction longitudinally + and examine slice under the microscope, to be able to state no trace of + bud of yellow kind having been inserted. I do not suspect anything of the + kind, but it is sure to be said that your brother's gardener, either by + accident or fraud, inserted a bud. Under this point of view it would be + very good to gather from your brother how many times the yellow sport has + appeared. The case appears to me so very important as to be worth any + trouble. Very many thanks for all assistance so kindly given. + </p> + <p> + I will of course send a copy of new edition of "Variation under + Domestication" when published in the autumn. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 729. TO J. JENNER WEIR. + </p> + <p> + (729/1. On July 9th Mr. Weir wrote to say that a branch of the Cytisus had + been despatched to Down. The present letter was doubtless written after + Darwin had examined the specimen. In "Variation under Domestication," + Edition II., Volume I., page 417, note, he gives for a case recorded in + the "Gardeners' Chronicle" in 1857 the explanation here offered (viz. that + the graft was not C. purpureus but C. Adami), and adds, "I have + ascertained that this occurred in another instance." This second instance + is doubtless Mr. Weir's.) + </p> + <p> + Down, July 10th, 1875. + </p> + <p> + I do not know how to thank you enough; pray give also my thanks and kind + remembrances to your brother. I am sure you will forgive my expressing my + doubts freely, as I well know that you desire the truth more than anything + else. I cannot avoid the belief that some nurseryman has sold C{ytisus} + Adami to your brother in place of the true C. purpureus. The latter is a + little bush only 3 feet high (Loudon), and when I read your account, it + seemed to me a physical impossibility that a sporting branch of C. alpinus + could grow to any size and be supported on the extremely delicate branches + of C. purpureus. If I understand rightly your letter, you consider the + tuft of small shoots on one side of the sporting C. alpinus from Weirleigh + as C. purpureus; but these shoots are certainly those of C. Adami. I + earnestly beg you to look at the specimens enclosed. The branch of the + true C. purpureus is the largest which I could find. If C. Adami was sold + to your brother as C. purpureus, everything is explained; for then the + gardener has grafted C. Adami on C. alpinus, and the former has sported in + the usual manner; but has not sported into C. purpureus, only into C. + alpinus. C. Adami does not sport less frequently into C. purpureus than + into C. alpinus. Are the purple flowers borne on moderately long racemes? + If so, the plant is certainly C. Adami, for the true C. purpureus bears + flowers close to the branches. I am very sorry to be so troublesome, but I + am very anxious to hear again from you. + </p> + <p> + C. purpureus bears "flowers axillary, solitary, stalked." + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I think you said that the purple {tree} at Weirleigh does not + seed, whereas the C. purpureus seeds freely, as you may see in enclosed. + C. Adami never produces seeds or pods. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 730. TO E. HACKEL. + </p> + <p> + (730/1. The following extract refers to Darwin's book on "Cross and + Self-Fertilisation.") + </p> + <p> + November 13th, 1875. + </p> + <p> + I am now busy in drawing up an account of ten years' experiments in the + growth and fertility of plants raised from crossed and self-fertilised + flowers. It is really wonderful what an effect pollen from a distinct + seedling plant, which has been exposed to different conditions of life, + has on the offspring in comparison with pollen from the same flower or + from a distinct individual, but which has been long subjected to the same + conditions. The subject bears on the very principle of life, which seems + almost to require changes in the conditions. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 731. TO G.J. ROMANES. + </p> + <p> + (731/1. The following extract from a letter to Romanes refers to Francis + Darwin's paper, "Experiments on the Nutrition of Drosera rotundifolia." + "Linn. Soc. Journ." {1878}, published 1880, page 17.) + </p> + <p> + August 9th {1876}. + </p> + <p> + The second point which delights me, seeing that half a score of botanists + throughout Europe have published that the digestion of meat by plants is + of no use to them (a mere pathological phenomenon, as one man says!), is + that Frank has been feeding under exactly similar conditions a large + number of plants of Drosera, and the effect is wonderful. On the fed side + the leaves are much larger, differently coloured, and more numerous; + flower-stalks taller and more numerous, and I believe far more seed + capsules,—but these not yet counted. It is particularly interesting + that the leaves fed on meat contain very many more starch granules (no + doubt owing to more protoplasm being first formed); so that sections + stained with iodine, of fed and unfed leaves, are to the naked eye of very + different colours. + </p> + <p> + There, I have boasted to my heart's content, and do you do the same, and + tell me what you have been doing. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 732. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, October 25th {1876}. + </p> + <p> + If you can put the following request into any one's hands pray do so; but + if not, ignore my request, as I know how busy you are. + </p> + <p> + I want any and all plants of Hoya examined to see if any imperfect flowers + like the one enclosed can be found, and if so to send them to me, per + post, damp. But I especially want them as young as possible. + </p> + <p> + They are very curious. I have examined some sent me from Abinger (732/1. + Lord Farrer's house.), but they were a month or two too old, and every + trace of pollen and anthers had disappeared or had never been developed. + Yet a very fine pod with apparently good seed had been formed by one such + flower. (732/2. The seeds did not germinate; see the account of Hoya + carnosa in "Forms of Flowers," page 331.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 733. TO G.J. ROMANES. + </p> + <p> + (733/1. Published in the "Life of Romanes," page 62.) + </p> + <p> + Down, August 10th {1877}. + </p> + <p> + When I went yesterday I had not received to-day's "Nature," and I thought + that your lecture was finished. (733/2. Abstract of a lecture on + "Evolution of Nerves and Nervo-Systems," delivered at the Royal + Institution, May 25th, 1877. "Nature," July 19th, August 2nd, August 9th, + 1877.) This final part is one of the grandest essays which I ever read. + </p> + <p> + It was very foolish of me to demur to your lines of conveyance like the + threads in muslin (733/3. "Nature," August 2nd, page 271.), knowing how + you have considered the subject: but still I must confess I cannot feel + quite easy. Everyone, I suppose, thinks on what he has himself seen, and + with Drosera, a bit of meat put on any one gland on its disc causes all + the surrounding tentacles to bend to this point, and here there can hardly + be differentiated lines of conveyance. It seems to me that the tentacles + probably bend to that point wherever a molecular wave strikes them, which + passes through the cellular tissue with equal ease in all directions in + this particular case. (733/4. Speaking generally, the transmission takes + place more readily in the longitudinal direction than across the leaf: see + "Insectivorous Plants," page 239.) But what a fine case that of the + Aurelia is! (733/5. Aurelia aurita, one of the medusae. "Nature," pages + 269-71.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 734. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. 6, Queen Anne Street {December 1876}. + </p> + <p> + Tell Hooker I feel greatly aggrieved by him: I went to the Royal Society + to see him for once in the chair of the Royal, to admire his dignity and + enjoy it, and lo and behold, he was not there. My outing gave me much + satisfaction, and I was particularly glad to see Mr. Bentham, and to see + him looking so wonderfully well and young. I saw lots of people, and it + has not done me a penny's worth of harm, though I could not get to sleep + till nearly four o'clock. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 735. TO D. OLIVER. Down, October, 13th {1876?}. + </p> + <p> + You must be a clair-voyant or something of that kind to have sent me such + useful plants. Twenty-five years ago I described in my father's garden two + forms of Linum flavum (thinking it a case of mere variation); from that + day to this I have several times looked, but never saw the second form + till it arrived from Kew. Virtue is never its own reward: I took paper + this summer to write to you to ask you to send me flowers, {so} that I + might beg plants of this Linum, if you had the other form, and refrained, + from not wishing to trouble you. But I am now sorry I did, for I have + hardly any doubt that L. flavum never seeds in any garden that I have + seen, because one form alone is cultivated by slips. (735/1. Id est, + because, the plant being grown from slips, one form alone usually occurs + in any one garden. It is also arguable that it is grown by slips because + only one form is common, and therefore seedlings cannot be raised.) + </p> + <p> + (736/1. The following five letters refer to Darwin's work on "bloom"—a + subject on which he did not live to complete his researches:— + </p> + <p> + One of his earliest letters on this subject was addressed in August, 1873, + to Sir Joseph Hooker (736/2. Published in "Life and Letters," III., page + 339.): + </p> + <p> + "I want a little information from you, and if you do not yourself know, + please to enquire of some of the wise men of Kew. + </p> + <p> + "Why are the leaves and fruit of so many plants protected by a thin layer + of waxy matter (like the common cabbage), or with fine hair, so that when + such leaves or fruit are immersed in water they appear as if encased in + thin glass? It is really a pretty sight to put a pod of the common pea, or + a raspberry, into water. I find several leaves are thus protected on the + under surface and not on the upper. + </p> + <p> + "How can water injure the leaves, if indeed this is at all the case?" + </p> + <p> + On this latter point Darwin wrote to the late Lord Farrer: + </p> + <p> + "I am now become mad about drops of water injuring leaves. Please ask Mr. + Payne (736/3. Lord Farrer's gardener.) whether he believes, FROM HIS OWN + EXPERIENCE, that drops of water injure leaves or fruit in his + conservatories. It is said that the drops act as burning-glasses; if this + is true, they would not be at all injurious on cloudy days. As he is so + acute a man, I should very much like to hear his opinion. I remember when + I grew hothouse orchids I was cautioned not to wet their leaves; but I + never then thought on the subject." + </p> + <p> + The next letter, though of later date than some which follow it, is + printed here because it briefly sums his results and serves as guide to + the letters dealing with the subject.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 736. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. + </p> + <p> + (736/4. Published in "Life and Letters," III., page 341.) + </p> + <p> + Down, September 5th {1877}. + </p> + <p> + One word to thank you. I declare, had it not been for your kindness, we + should have broken down. As it is we have made out clearly that with some + plants (chiefly succulent) the bloom checks evaporation—with some + certainly prevents attacks of insects; with SOME sea-shore plants prevents + injury from salt water, and, I believe, with a few prevents injury from + pure water resting on the leaves. This latter is as yet the most doubtful + and the most interesting point in relation to the movements of plants. + </p> + <p> + (736/5. Modern research, especially that of Stahl on transpiration ("Bot. + Zeitung," 1897, page 71) has shown that the question is more complex than + it appeared in 1877. Stahl's point of view is that moisture remaining on a + leaf checks the transpiration-current; and by thus diminishing the flow of + mineral nutriment interferes with the process of assimilation. Stahl's + idea is doubtless applicable to the whole problem of bloom on leaves. For + other references to bloom see letters 685, 689 and 693.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 737. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, August 19th, 1873. + </p> + <p> + The next time you walk round the garden ask Mr. Smith (737/1. Probably + John Smith (1798-1888), for some years Curator, Royal Gardens, Kew.), or + any of your best men, what they think about injury from watering during + sunshine. One of your men—viz., Mr. Payne, at Abinger, who seems + very acute—declares that you may water safely any plant out of doors + in sunshine, and that you may do the same for plants under glass if the + sashes are opened. This seems to me very odd, but he seems positive on the + point, and acts on it in raising splendid grapes. Another good gardener + maintains that it is only COLD water dripping often on the same point of a + leaf that ever injures it. I am utterly perplexed, but interested on the + point. Give me what you learn when you come to Down. + </p> + <p> + I should like to hear what plants are believed to be most injured by being + watered in sunshine, so that I might get such. + </p> + <p> + I expect that I shall be utterly beaten, as on so many other points; but I + intend to make a few experiments and observations. I have already + convinced myself that drops of water do NOT act as burning lenses. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 738. TO J.D. HOOKER. December 20th {1873}. + </p> + <p> + I find that it is no use going on with my experiments on the evil effects + of water on bloom-divested leaves. Either I erred in the early autumn or + summer in some incomprehensible manner, or, as I suspect to be the case, + water is only injurious to leaves when there is a good supply of actinic + rays. I cannot believe that I am all in the wrong about the movements of + the leaves to shoot off water. + </p> + <p> + The upshot of all this is that I want to keep all the plants from Kew + until the spring or early summer, as it is mere waste of time going on at + present. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 739. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, July 22nd {1877}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for seeds of the Malva and information about Averrhoa, which I + perceived was sensitive, as A. carambola is said to be; and about Mimosa + sensitiva. The log-wood {Haematoxylon} has interested me much. The wax is + very easily removed, especially from the older leaves, and I found after + squirting on the leaves with water at 95 deg, all the older leaves became + coated, after forty-eight hours, in an astonishing manner with a black + Uredo, so that they looked as if sprinkled with soot and water. But not + one of the younger leaves was affected. This has set me to work to see + whether the "bloom" is not a protection against parasites. As soon as I + have ascertained a little more about the case (and generally I am quite + wrong at first) I will ask whether I could have a very small plant, which + should never be syringed with water above 60 deg, and then I suspect the + leaves would not be spotted, as were the older ones on the plant, when it + arrived from Kew, but nothing like what they were after my squirting. + </p> + <p> + In an old note of yours (which I have just found) you say that you have a + sensitive Schrankia: could this be lent me? + </p> + <p> + I have had lent me a young Coral-tree (Erythrina), which is very sickly, + yet shows odd sleep movements. I suppose I could buy one, but Hooker told + me first to ask you for anything. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, have you any seaside plants with bloom? I find that drops of + sea-water corrode sea-kale if bloom is removed; also the var. littorum of + Triticum repens. (By the way, my plants of the latter, grown in pots here, + are now throwing up long flexible green blades, and it is very odd to see, + ON THE SAME CULM, the rigid grey bloom-covered blades and the green + flexible ones.) Cabbages, ill-luck to them, do not seem to be hurt by salt + water. Hooker formerly told me that Salsola kali, a var. of Salicornia, + one species of Suaeda, Euphorbia peplis, Lathyrus maritimus, Eryngium + maritimum, were all glaucous and seaside plants. It is very improbable + that you have any of these or of foreigners with the same attributes. + </p> + <p> + God forgive me: I hope that I have not bored you greatly. + </p> + <p> + By all the rules of right the leaves of the logwood ought to move (as if + partially going to sleep) when syringed with tepid water. The leaves of my + little plant do not move at all, and it occurs to me as possible, though + very improbable, that it would be different with a larger plant with + perhaps larger leaves. Would you some day get a gardener to syringe + violently, with water kept in a hothouse, a branch on one of your largest + logwood plants and observe {whether?} leaves move together towards the + apex of leaf? + </p> + <p> + By the way, what astonishing nonsense Mr. Andrew Murray has been writing + about leaves and carbonic acid! I like to see a man behaving + consistently... + </p> + <p> + What a lot I have scribbled to you! + </p> + <p> + (FIGURE 13. Leaf of Trifolium resupinatum (from a drawing by Miss Pertz).) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 740. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. {August, 1877.} + </p> + <p> + There is no end to my requests. Can you spare me a good plant (or even + two) of Oxalis sensitiva? The one which I have (formerly from Kew) has + been so maltreated that I dare not trust my results any longer. + </p> + <p> + Please give the enclosed to Mr. Lynch. (740/1. Mr. Lynch, now Curator of + the Cambridge Botanic Garden, was at this time in the R. Bot. Garden, Kew. + Mr. Lynch described the movements of Averrhoa bilimbi in the "Linn. Soc. + Journ," Volume XVI., page 231. See also "The Power of Movement in Plants," + page 330.) The spontaneous movements of the Averrhoa are very curious. + </p> + <p> + You sent me seeds of Trifolium resupinatum, and I have raised plants, and + some former observations which I did not dare to trust have proved + accurate. It is a very little fact, but curious. The half of the lateral + leaflets (marked by a cross) on the lower side have no bloom and are + wetted, whereas the other half has bloom and is not wetted, so that the + two sides look different to the naked eye. The cells of the eipdermis + appear of a different shape and size on the two sides of the leaf {Figure + 13}. + </p> + <p> + When we have drawings and measurements of cells made, and are sure of our + facts, I shall ask you whether you know of any case of the same leaf + differing histologically on the two sides, for Hooker always says you are + a wonderful man for knowing what has been made out. + </p> + <p> + (740/2. The biological meaning of the curious structure of the leaves of + Trifolium resupinatum remains a riddle. The stomata and (speaking from + memory) the trichomes differ on the two halves of the lateral leaflets.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 741. TO L. ERRERA. + </p> + <p> + (741/1. Professor L. Errera, of Brussels wrote, as a student, to Darwin, + asking permission to send the MS. of an essay by his friend S. Gevaert and + himself on cross and self-fertilisation, and which was afterwards + published in the "Bull. Soc. Bot. Belg." XVII., 1878. The terms xenogamy, + geitonogamy, and autogamy were first suggested by Kerner in 1876; their + definition will be found at page 9 of Ogle's translation of Kerner's + "Flowers and their Unbidden Guests," 1878. In xenogamy the pollen comes + from another PLANT; in geitonogamy from another FLOWER on the same PLANT; + in autogamy from the androecium of the fertilised FLOWER. Allogamy + embraces xenogamy and geitonogamy.) + </p> + <p> + Down, October 4th, 1877. + </p> + <p> + I have now read your MS. The whole has interested me greatly, and is very + clearly written. I wish that I had used some such terms as autogamy, + xenogamy, etc...I entirely agree with you on the a priori probability of + geitonogamy being more advantageous than autogamy; and I cannot remember + having ever expressed a belief that autogamy, as a general rule, was + better than geitonogamy; but the cases recorded by me seem too strong not + to make me suspect that there was some unknown advantage in autogamy. In + one place I insert the caution "if this be really the case," which you + quote. (741/2. See "Cross and Self-Fertilisation," pages 352, 386. The + phrase referred to occurs in both passages; that on page 386 is as + follows: "We have also seen reason to suspect that self-fertilisation is + in some peculiar manner beneficial to certain plants; but if this be + really the case, the benefit thus derived is far more than counterbalanced + by a cross with a fresh stock or with a slightly different variety." + Errera and Gevaert conclude (pages 79-80) that the balance of the + available evidence is in favour of the belief that geitonogamy is + intermediate, in effectiveness, between autogamy and xenogamy.) I shall be + very glad to be proved to be altogether in error on this point. + </p> + <p> + Accept my thanks for pointing out the bad erratum at page 301. I hope that + you will experimentise on inconspicuous flowers (741/3. See Miss Bateson, + "Annals of Botany," 1888, page 255, "On the Cross-Fertilisation of + Inconspicuous Flowers:" Miss Bateson showed that Senecio vulgaris clearly + profits by cross-fertilisation; Stellaria media and Capsella + bursa-pastoris less certainly.); if I were not too old and too much + occupied I would do so myself. + </p> + <p> + Finally let me thank you for the kind manner in which you refer to my + work, and with cordial good wishes for your success... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 742. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, October 9th, 1877. + </p> + <p> + One line to thank you much about Mertensia. The former plant has begun to + make new leaves, to my great surprise, so that I shall be now well + supplied. We have worked so well with the Averrhoa that unless the second + species arrives in a very good state it would be superfluous to send it. I + am heartily glad that you and Mrs. Dyer are going to have a holiday. I + will look at you as a dead man for the next month, and nothing shall tempt + me to trouble you. But before you enter your grave aid me if you can. I + want seeds of three or four plants (not Leguminosae or Cruciferae) which + produce large cotyledons. I know not in the least what plants have large + cotyledons. Why I want to know is as follows: The cotyledons of Cassia go + to sleep, and are sensitive to a touch; but what has surprised me much is + that they are in constant movement up and down. So it is with the + cotyledons of the cabbage, and therefore I am very curious to ascertain + how far this is general. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 743. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, October 11th {1877}. + </p> + <p> + The fine lot of seeds arrived yesterday, and are all sown, and will be + most useful. If you remember, pray thank Mr. Lynch for his aid. I had not + thought of beech or sycamore, but they are now sown. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps you may like to see a rough copy of the tracing of movements of + one of the cotyledons of red cabbage, and you can throw it into the fire. + A line joining the two cotyledons stood facing a north-east window, and + the day was uniformly cloudy. A bristle was gummed to one cotyledon, and + beyond it a triangular bit of card was fixed, and in front a vertical + glass. A dot was made in the glass every quarter or half hour at the point + where the end of the bristle and the apex of card coincided, and the dots + were joined by straight lines. The observations were from 10 a.m. to 8.45 + p.m. During this time the enclosed figure was described; but between 4 + p.m. and 5.38 p.m. the cotyledon moved so that the prolonged line was + beyond the limits of the glass, and the course is here shown by an + imaginary dotted line. The cotyledon of Primula sinensis moved in closely + analogous manner, as do those of a Cassia. Hence I expect to find such + movements very general with cotyledons, and I am inclined to look at them + as the foundation for all the other adaptive movements of leaves. They + certainly are of the so-called sleep of plants. + </p> + <p> + I hope I have not bothered you. Do not answer. I am all on fire at the + work. + </p> + <p> + I have had a short and very prosperous note from Asa Gray, who says Hooker + is very prosperous, and both are tremendously hard at work. (743/1. + "Hooker is coming over, and we are going in summer to the Rocky Mountains + together, according to an old promise of mine." Asa Gray to G.F. Wright, + May 24th, 1877 ("Letters of Asa Gray," II., page 666).) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 744. TO H. MULLER. Down, January 1st {1878?}. + </p> + <p> + I must write two or three lines to thank you cordially for your very + handsome and very interesting review of my last book in "Kosmos," which I + have this minute finished. (744/1. "Forms of Flowers," 1877. H. Muller's + article is in "Kosmos," II., page 286.) It is wonderful how you have + picked out everything important in it. I am especially glad that you have + called attention to the parallelism between illegitimate offspring of + heterostyled plants and hybrids. Your previous article in "Kosmos" seemed + to me very important, but for some unknown reason the german was very + difficult, and I was sadly overworked at the time, so that I could not + understand a good deal of it. (744/2. "Kosmos," II., pages 11, 128. See + "Forms of Flowers," Edition II., page 308.) But I have put it on one side, + and when I have to prepare a new edition of my book I must make it out. It + seems that you attribute such cases as that of the dioecious Rhamnus and + your own of Valeriana to the existence of two forms with larger and + smaller flowers. I cannot follow the steps by which such plants have been + rendered dioecious, but when I read your article with more care I hope I + shall understand. (744/3. See "Forms of Flowers," Edition II., pages 9 and + 304. H. Muller's view is briefly that conspicuous and less conspicuous + varieties occurred, and that the former were habitually visited first by + insects; thus the less conspicuous form would play the part of females and + their pollen would tend to become superfluous. See H. Muller in "Kosmos," + II.) If you have succeeded in explaining this class of cases I shall + heartily rejoice, for they utterly perplexed me, and I could not + conjecture what their meaning was. It is a grievous evil to have no + faculty for new languages. + </p> + <p> + With the most sincere respect and hearty good wishes to you and all your + family for the new year... + </p> + <p> + P.S.—What interesting papers your wonderful brother has lately been + writing! + </p> + <p> + LETTER 745. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. + </p> + <p> + (745/1. This letter refers to the purchase of instruments for the Jodrell + Laboratory in the Royal Gardens, Kew. "The Royal Commission on Scientific + Instruction and the Advancement of Science, commonly spoken of as the + Devonshire Commission, in its fourth Report (1874), page 10, expressed the + opinion that 'it is highly desirable that opportunities for the pursuit of + investigations in Physiological Botany should be afforded at Kew to those + persons who may be inclined to follow that branch of science.' Effect was + given to this recommendation by the liberality of the late T.J. + Phillips-Jodrell, M.A., who built and equipped the small laboratory, which + has since borne his name, at his own expense. It was completed and + immediately brought into use in 1876." The above is taken from the + "Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information," R. Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1901, + page 102, which also gives a list of work carried out in the laboratory + between 1876 and 1900.) + </p> + <p> + Down, March 14th, 1878. + </p> + <p> + I have a very strong opinion that it would be the greatest possible pity + if the Phys{iological} Lab., now that it has been built, were not supplied + with as many good instruments as your funds can possibly afford. It is + quite possible that some of them may become antiquated before they are + much or even at all used. But this does not seem to me any argument at all + against getting them, for the Laboratory cannot be used until well + provided; and the mere fact of the instruments being ready may suggest to + some one to use them. You at Kew, as guardians and promoters of botanical + science, will then have done all in your power, and if your Lab. is not + used the disgrace will lie at the feet of the public. But until bitter + experience proves the contrary I will never believe that we are so + backward. I should think the German laboratories would be very good guides + as to what to get; but Timiriazeff of Moscow, who travelled over Europe to + see all Bot. Labs., and who seemed so good a fellow, would, I should + think, give the best list of the most indispensable instruments. Lately I + thought of getting Frank or Horace to go to Cambridge for the use of the + heliostat there; but our observations turned out of less importance than I + thought, yet if there had been one at Kew we should probably have used it, + and might have found out something curious. It is impossible for me to + predict whether or not we should ever want this or that instrument, for we + are guided in our work by what turns up. Thus I am now observing something + about geotropism, and I had no idea a few weeks ago that this would have + been necessary. In a short time we might earnestly wish for a centrifugal + apparatus or a heliostat. In all such cases it would make a great + difference if a man knew that he could use a particular instrument without + great loss of time. I have now given my opinion, which is very decided, + whether right or wrong, and Frank quite agrees with me. You can, of + course, show this letter to Hooker. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 746. TO F. LUDWIG. Down, May 29th, 1878. + </p> + <p> + I thank you sincerely for the trouble which you have taken in sending me + so long and interesting a letter, together with the specimens. Gradations + are always very valuable, and you have been remarkably successful in + discovering the stages by which the Plantago has become gyno-dioecious. + (746/1. See F. Ludwig, "Zeitsch. f. d. Geo. Naturwiss." Bd. LII., 1879. + Professor Ludwig's observations are quoted in the preface to "Forms of + Flowers," Edition II., page ix.) Your view of its origin, from being + proterogynous, seems to me very probable, especially as the females are + generally the later-flowering plants. If you can prove the reverse case + with Thymus your view will manifestly be rendered still more probable. I + have never felt satisfied with H. Muller's view, though he is so careful + and admirable an observer. (746/2. See "Forms of Flowers," Edition II., + page 308. Also letter 744.) It is more than seventeen years since I + attended to Plantago, and when nothing had been published on the subject, + and in consequence I omitted to attend to several points; and now, after + so long an interval, I cannot pretend to say to which of your forms the + English one belongs; I well remember that the anther of the females + contained a good deal {of} pollen, though not one sound grain. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—Delpino is Professor of Botany in Genoa, Italy (746/3. Now at + Naples.); I have always found him a most obliging correspondent. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 747. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, August 24th {1878}. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for seeds of Trifolium resupinatum, which are invaluable to + us. I enclose seeds of a Cassia, from Fritz Muller, and they are well + worth your cultivation; for he says they come from a unique, large and + beautiful tree in the interior, and though looking out for years, he has + never seen another specimen. One of the most splendid, largest and rarest + butterflies in S. Brazil, he has never seen except near this one tree, and + he has just discovered that its caterpillars feed on its leaves. + </p> + <p> + I have just been looking at fine young pods beneath the ground of Arachis. + (747/1. Arachis hypogoea, cultivated for its "ground nuts.") I suppose + that the pods are not withdrawn when ripe from the ground; but should this + be the case kindly inform me; if I do not hear I shall understand that + {the} pods ripen and are left permanently beneath the ground. + </p> + <p> + If you ever come across heliotropic or apheliotropic aerial roots on a + plant not valuable (but which should be returned), I should like to + observe them. Bignonia capreolata, with its strongly apheliotropic + tendrils (which I had from Kew), is now interesting me greatly. Veitch + tells me it is not on sale in any London nursery, as I applied to him for + some additional plants. So much for business. + </p> + <p> + I have received from the Geographical Soc. your lecture, and read it with + great interest. (747/2. "On Plant-Distribution as a field for Geographical + Research." "Geog. Soc. Proc." XXII., 1878, page 412.) But it ought not + merely to be read; it requires study. The sole criticism which I have to + make is that parts are too much condensed: but, good Lord, how rare a + fault is this! You do not quote Saporta, I think; and some of his work on + the Tertiary plants would have been useful to you. In a former note you + spoke contemptuously of your lecture: all I can say is that I never heard + any one speak more unjustly and shamefully of another than you have done + of yourself! + </p> + <p> + LETTER 748. TO H. MULLER. Down, September 20th, 1878. + </p> + <p> + I am working away on some points in vegetable physiology, but though they + interest me and my son, yet they have none of the fascination which the + fertilisation of flowers possesses. Nothing in my life has ever interested + me more than the fertilisation of such plants as Primula and Lythrum, or + again Anacamptis (748/1. Orchis pyramidalis.) or Listera. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 749. TO H. MULLER. Down, February 12th {1879}. + </p> + <p> + I have just heard that some misfortune has befallen you, and that you have + been treated shamefully. (749/1. Hermann Muller was accused by the + Ultramontane party of introducing into his school-teaching crude + hypotheses ("unreife Hypothesen"), which were assumed to have a harmful + influence upon the religious sentiments of his pupils. Attempts were made + to bring about Muller's dismissal, but the active hostility of his + opponents, which he met in a dignified spirit, proved futile. ("Prof. Dr. + Hermann Muller von Lippstadt. Ein Gedenkblatt," von Ernst Krause. + "Kosmos," VII., page 393, 1883.)) I grieve deeply to hear this, and as + soon as you can find a few minutes to spare, I earnestly beg you to let me + hear what has happened. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 750. TO A. STEPHEN WILSON. + </p> + <p> + (750/1. The following letters refer to two forms of wheat cultivated in + Russia under the names Kubanka and Saxonka, which had been sent to Mr. + Darwin by Dr. Asher from Samara, and were placed in the hands of Mr. + Wilson that he might test the belief prevalent in Russia that Kubanka + "grown repeatedly on inferior soil," assumes "the form of Saxonka." Mr. + Wilson's paper of 1880 gives the results of his inquiry. He concludes + (basing his views partly on analogous cases and partly on his study of the + Russian wheats) that the supposed transformation is explicable in chief + part by the greater fertility of the Saxonka wheat leading to + extermination of the other form. According to Mr. Wilson, therefore, the + Saxonka survivors are incorrectly assumed to be the result of the + conversion of one form into the other.) + </p> + <p> + Down, April 24th, 1878. + </p> + <p> + I send you herewith some specimens which may perhaps interest you, as you + have so carefully studied the varieties of wheat. Anyhow, they are of no + use to me, as I have neither knowledge nor time sufficient. They were sent + me by the Governor of the Province of Samara, in Russia, at the request of + Dr. Asher (son of the great Berlin publisher) who farmed for some years in + the province. The specimen marked Kubanka is a very valuable kind, but + which keeps true only when cultivated in fresh steppe-land in Samara, and + in Saratoff. After two years it degenerates into the variety Saxonica, or + its synonym Ghirca. The latter alone is imported into this country. Dr. + Asher says that it is universally known, and he has himself witnessed the + fact, that if grain of the Kubanka is sown in the same steppe-land for + more than two years it changes into Saxonica. He has seen a field with + parts still Kubanka and the remainder Saxonica. On this account the + Government, in letting steppe-land, contracts that after two years wheat + must not be sown until an interval of eight years. The ears of the two + kinds appear different, as you will see, but the chief difference is in + the quality of the grains. Dr. Asher has witnessed sales of equal weights + of Kubanka and Saxonica grain, and the price of the former was to that of + the latter as 7 to 4. The peasants say that the change commences in the + terminal grain of the ear. The most remarkable point, as Dr. Asher + positively asserts, is that there are no intermediate varieties; but that + a grain produces a plant yielding either true Kubanka or true Saxonica. He + thinks that it would be interesting to sow here both kinds in good and bad + wheat soil and observe the result. Should you think it worth while to make + any such trial, and should you require further information, Dr. Asher, + whose address I enclose, will be happy to give any in his power. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 751. TO A. STEPHEN WILSON. Basset, Southampton, April 29th {1878}. + </p> + <p> + Your kind note and specimens have been forwarded to me here, where I am + staying at my son's house for a fortnight's complete rest, which I + required from rather too hard work. For this reason I will not now examine + the seeds, but will wait till returning home, when, with my son Francis' + aid, I will look to them. + </p> + <p> + I always felt, though without any good reason, rather sceptical about + Prof. Buckman's experiment, and I afterwards heard that a most wicked and + cruel trick had been played on him by some of the agricultural students at + Cirencester, who had sown seeds unknown to him in his experimental beds. + Whether he ever knew this I did not hear. + </p> + <p> + I am exceedingly glad that you are willing to look into the Russian wheat + case. It may turn out a mare's nest, but I have often incidentally + observed curious facts when making what I call "a fool's experiment." + </p> + <p> + LETTER 752. TO A. STEPHEN WILSON. Down, March 5th, 1879. + </p> + <p> + I have just returned home after an absence of a week, and your letter was + not forwarded to me; I mention this to account for my apparent discourtesy + in not having sooner thanked you. You have worked out the subject with + admirable care and clearness, and your drawings are beautiful. I suspected + that there was some error in the Russian belief, but I did not think of + the explanation which you have almost proved to be the true one. It is an + extremely interesting instance of a more fertile variety beating out a + less fertile one, and, in this case, one much more valuable to man. With + respect to publication, I am at a loss to advise you, for I live a + secluded life and do not see many periodicals, or hear what is done at the + various societies. It seems to me that your paper should be published in + some agricultural journal; for it is not simply scientific, and would + therefore not be published by the Linnean or Royal Societies. + </p> + <p> + Would the Royal Agricultural Society be a fitting place? Unfortunately I + am not a member, and could not myself present it. Unless you think of some + better journal, there is the "Agricultural Gazette": I have occasionally + suggested articles for publication to the editor (though personally + unknown to me) which he has always accepted. + </p> + <p> + Permit me again to thank you for the thorough manner in which you have + worked out this case; to kill an error is as good a service as, and + sometimes even better than, the establishing a new truth or fact. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 753. TO A. STEPHEN WILSON. Down, February 13th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + It was very kind of you to send me two numbers of the "Gardeners' + Chronicle" with your two articles, which I have read with much interest. + (753/1. "Gardeners' Chronicle," 1879, page 652; 1880, pages 108, 173.) You + have quite convinced me, whatever Mr. Asher may say to the contrary. I + want to ask you a question, on the bare chance of your being able to + answer it, but if you cannot, please do not take the trouble to write. The + lateral branches of the silver fir often grow out into knobs through the + action of a fungus, Aecidium; and from these knobs shoots grow vertically + (753/2. The well-known "Witches-Brooms," or "Hexen-Besen," produced by the + fungus Aecidium elatinum.) instead of horizontally, like all the other + twigs on the same branch. Now the roots of Cruciferae and probably other + plants are said to become knobbed through the action of a fungus: now, do + these knobs give rise to rootlets? and, if so, do they grow in a new or + abnormal direction? (753/3. The parasite is probably Plasmodiophora: in + this case no abnormal rootlets have been observed, as far as we know.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 754. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. Down, June 18th, 1879. + </p> + <p> + The plants arrived last night in first-rate order, and it was very very + good of you to take so much trouble as to hunt them up yourself. They seem + exactly what I wanted, and if I fail it will not be for want of perfect + materials. But a confounded painter (I beg his pardon) comes here + to-night, and for the next two days I shall be half dead with sitting to + him; but after then I will begin to work at the plants and see what I can + do, and very curious I am about the results. + </p> + <p> + I have to thank you for two very interesting letters. I am delighted to + hear, and with surprise, that you care about old Erasmus D. God only knows + what I shall make of his life—it is such new kind of work to me. + (754/1. "Erasmus Darwin." By Ernst Krause. Translated from the German by + W.S. Dallas: with a preliminary notice by Charles Darwin. London, 1879. + See "Life and Letters," III., pages 218-20.) + </p> + <p> + Thanks for case of sleeping Crotalaria—new to me. I quite agree to + every word you say about Ball's lecture (754/2. "On the Origin of the + Flora of the European Alps," "Geogr. Soc. Proc." Volume I., 1879, page + 564. See Letter 395, Volume II.)—it is, as you say, like Sir W. + Thomson's meteorite. (754/3. In 1871 Lord Kelvin (Presidential Address + Brit. Assoc.) suggested that meteorites, "the moss-grown fragments from + the ruins of another world," might have introduced life to our planet.) It + is really a pity; it is enough to make Geographical Distribution + ridiculous in the eyes of the world. Frank will be interested about the + Auriculas; I never attended to this plant, for the powder did {not} seem + to me like true "bloom." (754/4. See Francis Darwin, on the relation + between "bloom" on leaves and the distribution of the stomata. "Linn. Soc. + Journ." Volume XXII., page 114.) This subject, however, for the present + only, has gone to the dogs with me. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry to hear of such a struggle for existence at Kew; but I have + often wondered how it is that you are all not killed outright. + </p> + <p> + I can most fully sympathise with you in your admiration of your little + girl. There is nothing so charming in this world, and we all in this house + humbly adore our grandchild, and think his little pimple of a nose quite + beautiful. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 755. TO G. BENTHAM. Down, February 16th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + I have had real pleasure in signing Dyer's certificate. (755/1. As a + candidate for the Royal Society.) It was very kind in you to write to me + about the Orchideae, for it has pleased me to an extreme degree that I + could have been of the least use to you about the nature of the parts. + They are wonderful creatures, these orchids, and I sometimes think with a + glow of pleasure, when I remember making out some little point in their + method of fertilisation. (755/2. Published in "Life and Letters," III., + page 288.) With respect to terms, no doubt you will be able to improve + them greatly, for I knew nothing about the terms as used in other groups + of plants. Could you not invent some quite new term for gland, implying + viscidity? or append some word to gland. I used for cirripedes "cement + gland." + </p> + <p> + Your present work must be frightfully difficult. I looked at a few dried + flowers, and could make neither heads nor tails of them; and I well + remember wondering what you would do with them when you came to the group + in the "Genera Plantarum." I heartily wish you safe through your work,... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 756. TO F.M. BALFOUR. Down, September 4th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + I hope that you will not think me a great bore, but I have this minute + finished reading your address at the British Association; and it has + interested me so much that I cannot resist thanking you heartily for the + pleasure derived from it, not to mention the honour which you have done + me. (756/1. Presidential address delivered by Prof. F.M. Balfour before + the Biological Section at the British Association meeting at Swansea + (1880).) The recent progress of embryology is indeed splendid. I have been + very stupid not to have hitherto read your book, but I have had of late no + spare time; I have now ordered it, and your address will make it the more + interesting to read, though I fear that my want of knowledge will make + parts unintelligible to me. (756/2. "A Treatise on Comparative + Embryology," 2 volumes. London, 1880.) In my recent work on plants I have + been astonished to find to how many very different stimuli the same small + part—viz., the tip of the radicle—is sensitive, and has the + power of transmitting some influence to the adjoining part of the radicle, + exciting it to bend to or from the source of irritation according to the + needs of the plant (756/3. See Letter 757.); and all this takes place + without any nervous system! I think that such facts should be kept in mind + when speculating on the genesis of the nervous system. I always feel a + malicious pleasure when a priori conclusions are knocked on the head: and + therefore I felt somewhat like a devil when I read your remarks on Herbert + Spencer (756/4. Prof. Balfour discussed Mr. Herbert Spencer's views on the + genesis of the nervous system, and expressed the opinion that his + hypothesis was not borne out by recent discoveries. "The discovery that + nerves have been developed from processes of epithelial cells gives a very + different conception of their genesis to that of Herbert Spencer, which + makes them originate from the passage of nervous impulses through a track + of mingled colloids..." (loc. cit., page 644.))...Our recent visit to + Cambridge was a brilliant success to us all, and will ever be remembered + by me with much pleasure. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 757. TO JAMES PAGET. + </p> + <p> + (757/1. During the closing years of his life, Darwin began to + experimentise on the possibility of producing galls artificially. A letter + to Sir J.D. Hooker (November 3rd, 1880) shows the interest which he felt + in the question:— + </p> + <p> + "I was delighted with Paget's essay (757/2. An address on "Elemental + Pathology," delivered before the British Medical Association, August 1880, + and published in the Journal of the Association.); I hear that he has + occasionally attended to this subject from his youth...I am very glad he + has called attention to galls: this has always seemed to me a profoundly + interesting subject; and if I had been younger would take it up." + </p> + <p> + His interest in this subject was connected with his ever-present wish to + learn something of the causes of variation. He imagined to himself + wonderful galls caused to appear on the ovaries of plants, and by these + means he thought it possible that the seed might be influenced, and thus + new varieties arise. (757/3. There would have been great difficulties + about this line of research, for when the sexual organs of plants are + deformed by parasites (in the way he hoped to effect by poisons) sterility + almost always results. See Molliard's "Les Cecidies Florales," "Ann. Sci. + Nat." 1895, Volume I., page 228.) He made a considerable number of + experiments by injecting various reagents into the tissues of leaves, and + with some slight indications of success. (757/4. The above passage is + reprinted, with alterations, from "Life and Letters," III., page 346.) + </p> + <p> + The following letter to the late Sir James Paget refers to the same + subject.) + </p> + <p> + Down, November 14th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your essay, which has interested me greatly. + What indomitable activity you have! It is a surprising thought that the + diseases of plants should illustrate human pathology. I have the German + "Encyclopaedia," and a few weeks ago told my son Francis that the article + on the diseases of plants would be well worth his study; but I did not + know it was written by Dr. Frank, for whom I entertain a high respect as a + first-rate observer and experimentiser, though for some unknown reason he + has been a good deal snubbed in Germany. I can give you one good case of + regrowth in plants, recently often observed by me, though only externally, + as I do not know enough of histology to follow out details. It is the tip + of the radicle of a germinating common bean. The case is remarkable in + some respects, for the tip is sensitive to various stimuli, and transmits + an order, causing the upper part of the radicle to bend. When the tip (for + a length of about 1 mm.) is cut transversely off, the radicle is not acted + on by gravitation or other irritants, such as contact, etc., etc., but a + new tip is regenerated in from two to four days, and then the radicle is + again acted on by gravitation, and will bend to the centre of the earth. + The tip of the radicle is a kind of brain to the whole growing part of the + radicle! (757/5. We are indebted to Mr. Archer-Hind for the translation of + the following passage from Plato ("Timaeus," 90A): "The reason is every + man's guardian genius (daimon), and has its habitation in our brain; it is + this that raises man (who is a plant, not of earth but of heaven) to an + erect posture, suspending the head and root of us from the heavens, which + are the birthplace of our soul, and keeping all the body upright." On the + perceptions of plants, see "Nature," November 14th, 1901—a lecture + delivered at the Glasgow meeting of the British Association by Francis + Darwin. See also Bonitz, "Index Aristotelicus," S.V. phuton.) + </p> + <p> + My observation will be published in about a week's time, and I would have + sent you the book, but I do not suppose that there is anything else in the + book which would interest you. I am delighted that you have drawn + attention to galls. They have always seemed to me profoundly interesting. + Many years ago I began (but failed for want of time, strength, and health, + as on infinitely many other occasions) to experimentise on plants, by + injecting into their tissues some alkaloids and the poison of wasps, to + see if I could make anything like galls. If I remember rightly, in a few + cases the tissues were thickened and hardened. I began these experiments + because if by different poisons I could have affected slightly and + differently the tissues of the same plant, I thought there would be no + insuperable difficulty in the fittest poisons being developed by insects + so as to produce galls adapted for them. Every character, as far as I can + see, is apt to vary. Judging from one of your sentences you will smile at + this. + </p> + <p> + To any one believing in my pangenesis (if such a man exists) there does + not seem to me any extreme difficulty in understanding why plants have + such little power of regeneration; for there is reason to think that my + imaginary gemmules have small power of passing from cell to cell. (757/6. + On regeneration after injury, see Massart, "La Cicatrisation chez les + Vegetaux," in Volume 57 (1898) of the "Memoires Couronnes," published by + the Royal Academy of Belgium. An account of the literature is given by the + author.) + </p> + <p> + Forgive me for scribbling at such unreasonable length; but you are to + blame for having interested me so much. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—Perhaps you may remember that some two years ago you asked me + to lunch with you, and proposed that I should offer myself again. Whenever + I next come to London, I will do so, and thus have the pleasure of seeing + you. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 758. TO W. THISELTON-DYER. + </p> + <p> + (758/1. "The Power of Movement in Plants" was published early in November, + 1880. Sir W. Thiselton-Dyer, in writing to thank Darwin for a copy of the + book, had (November 20th) compared a structure in the seedling Welwitschia + with the "peg" of Cucurbita (see "Power of Movement," page 102). Dyer + wrote: "One peculiar feature in the germinating embryo is a lateral + hypocotyledonary process, which eventually serves as an absorbent organ, + by which the nutriment of the endosperm is conveyed to the seedling. Such + a structure was quite new to me, and Bower and I were disposed to see in + it a representative of the foot in Selaginella, when I saw the account of + Flahault's 'peg.'" Flahault, it should be explained, was the discoverer of + the curious peg in Cucurbita. Prof. Bower wrote a paper ("On the + Germination and Histology of the seedling of Welwitschia mirabilis" in the + "Quart. Journ. Microscop. Sci." XXI., 1881, page 15.) + </p> + <p> + Down, November 28th {1880}. + </p> + <p> + Very many thanks for your most kind note, but you think too highly of our + work—not but what this is very pleasant. + </p> + <p> + I am deeply interested about Welwitschia. When at work on the pegs or + projections I could not imagine how they were first developed, before they + could have been of mere mechanical use. Now it seems possible that a + circle between radicle and hypocotyl may be permeable to fluids, and thus + have given rise to projections so as to expose larger surface. Could you + test Welwitschia with permanganate of potassium: if, like my pegs, the + lower surface would be coloured brown like radicle, and upper surface left + white like hypocotyl. If such an idea as yours, of an absorbing organ, had + ever crossed my mind, I would have tried many hypocotyls in weak citrate + of ammonia, to see if it penetrated on line of junction more easily than + elsewhere. I daresay the projection in Abronia and Mirabilis may be an + absorbent organ. It was very good fun bothering the seeds of Cucurbita by + planting them edgeways, as would never naturally occur, and then the peg + could not act properly. Many of the Germans are very contemptuous about + making out use of organs; but they may sneer the souls out of their + bodies, and I for one shall think it the most interesting part of natural + history. Indeed, you are greatly mistaken if you doubt for one moment on + the very great value of your constant and most kind assistance to us. I + have not seen the pamphlet, and shall be very glad to keep it. Frank, when + he comes home, will be much interested and pleased with your letter. Pray + give my kindest remembrance to Mrs. Dyer. + </p> + <p> + This is a very untidy note, but I am very tired with dissecting worms all + day. Read the last chapter of our book, and then you will know the whole + contents. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 759. TO H. VOCHTING. Down, December 16th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + Absence from home has prevented me from sooner thanking you for your kind + present of your several publications. I procured some time ago your + "Organbilding" (759/1. "Organbildung im Pflanzenreich," 1878.) etc., but + it was too late for me to profit by it for my book, as I was correcting + the press. I read only parts, but my son Francis read the whole with care + and told me much about it, which greatly interested me. I also read your + article in the "Bot. Zeitung." My son began at once experimenting, to test + your views, and this very night will read a paper before the Linnean + Society on the roots of Rubus (759/2. Francis Darwin, "The Theory of the + Growth of Cuttings" ("Linn. Soc. Journ." XVIII.). {I take this opportunity + of expressing my regret that at page 417, owing to neglect of part of + Vochting's facts, I made a criticism of his argument which cannot be + upheld.—F.D.}.), and I think that you will be pleased to find how + well his conclusions agree with yours. He will of course send you a copy + of his paper when it is printed. I have sent him your letter, which will + please him if he agrees with me; for your letter has given me real + pleasure, and I did not at all know what the many great physiologists of + Germany, Switzerland, and Holland would think of it {"The Power of + Movement," etc.}. I was quite sorry to read Sachs' views about + root-forming matter, etc., for I have an unbounded admiration for Sachs. + In this country we are dreadfully behind in Physiological Botany. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 760. TO A. DE CANDOLLE. Down, January 24th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + It was extremely kind of you to write me so long and valuable a letter, + the whole of which deserves careful consideration. I have been + particularly pleased at what you say about the new terms used, because I + have often been annoyed at the multitude of new terms lately invented in + all branches of Biology in Germany; and I doubted much whether I was not + quite as great a sinner as those whom I have blamed. When I read your + remarks on the word "purpose" in your "Phytographie," I vowed that I would + not use it again; but it is not easy to cure oneself of a vicious habit. + It is also difficult for any one who tries to make out the use of a + structure to avoid the word purpose. I see that I have probably gone + beyond my depth in discussing plurifoliate and unifoliate leaves; but in + such a case as that of Mimosa albida, where rudiments of additional + leaflets are present, we must believe that they were well developed in the + progenitor of the plant. So again, when the first true leaf differs widely + in shape from the older leaves, and resembles the older leaves in allied + species, is it not the most simple explanation that such leaves have + retained their ancient character, as in the case of the embryos of so many + animals? + </p> + <p> + Your suggestion of examining the movements of vertical leaves with an + equal number of stomata on both sides, with reference to the light, seems + to me an excellent one, and I hope that my son Francis may follow it up. + But I will not trouble you with any more remarks about our book. My son + will write to you about the diagram. + </p> + <p> + Let me add that I shall ever remember with pleasure your visit here last + autumn. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 761. TO J. LUBBOCK (Lord Avebury). Down, April 16th {1881}. + </p> + <p> + Will you be so kind as to send and lend me the Desmodium gyrans by the + bearer who brings this note. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after you left I found my notice of the seeds in the "Gardeners' + Chronicle," which please return hereafter, as I have no other copy. + (761/1. "Note on the Achenia of Pumilio argyrolepis." "Gardeners' + Chronicle," 1861, page 4.) I do not think that I made enough about the + great power of absorption of water by the corolla-like calyx or pappus. It + seems to me not unlikely that the pappus of other Compositae may be + serviceable to the seeds, whilst lying on the ground, by absorbing the dew + which would be especially apt to condense on the fine points and filaments + of the pappus. Anyhow, this is a point which might be easily investigated. + Seeds of Tussilago, or groundsel (761/2. It is not clear whether Tussilago + or groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is meant; or whether he was not sure which + of the two plants becomes slimy when wetted.), emit worm-like masses of + mucus, and it would be curious to ascertain whether wetting the pappus + alone would suffice to cause such secretion. (761/3. See Letter 707.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 762. TO G.J. ROMANES. Down, April 18th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I am extremely glad of your success with the flashing light. (762/1. + Romanes' paper on the effect of intermittent light on heliotropism was the + "Proc. Royal Soc." Volume LIV., page 333.) If plants are acted on by + light, like some of the lower animals, there is an additional point of + interest, as it seems to me, in your results. Most botanists believe that + light causes a plant to bend to it in as direct a manner as light affects + nitrate of silver. I believe that it merely tells the plant to which side + to bend, and I see indications of this belief prevailing even with Sachs. + Now it might be expected that light would act on a plant in something the + same manner as on the lower animals. As you are at work on this subject, I + will call your attention to another point. Wiesner, of Vienna (who has + lately published a great book on heliotropism) finds that an intermittent + light, say of 20 minutes, produces the same effect as a continuous light + of, say 60 m. (762/2. Wiesner's papers on heliotropism are in the + "Denkschriften" of the Vienna Academy, Volumes 39 and 43.) So that Van + Tieghem, in the first part of his book which has just appeared, remarks, + the light during 40 m. out of the 60 m. produced no effect. I observed an + analogous case described in my book. (762/3. "Power of Movement," page + 459.) + </p> + <p> + Wiesner and Van Tieghem seem to think that this is explained by calling + the whole process "induction," borrowing a term used by some + physico-chemists (of whom I believe Roscoe is one) and implying an agency + which does not produce any effect for some time, and continues its effect + for some time after the cause has ceased. I believe that photographic + paper is an instance. I must ask Leonard (762/4. Mr. Darwin's son.) + whether an interrupted light acts on it in the same manner as on a plant. + At present I must still believe in my explanation that it is the contrast + between light and darkness which excites a plant. + </p> + <p> + I have forgotten my main object in writing—viz., to say that I + believe (and have so stated) that seedlings vary much in their + sensitiveness to light; but I did not prove this, for there are many + difficulties, whether the time of incipient curvature or the amount of + curvature is taken as the criterion. Moreover they vary according to age, + and perhaps from vigour of growth, and there seems inherent variability, + as Strasburger (whom I quote) found with spores. If the curious anomaly + observed by you is due to varying sensitiveness, ought not all the + seedlings to bend if the flashes were at longer intervals of time? + According to my notion of contrast between light and darkness being the + stimulus, I should expect that if flashes were made sufficiently slow it + would be a powerful stimulus, and that you would suddenly arrive at a + period when the result would SUDDENLY become great. On the other hand, as + far as my experience goes, what one expects rarely happens. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 763. TO JULIUS WIESNER. Down, October 4th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I thank you sincerely for your very kind letter, and for the present of + your new work. (763/1. "Das Bewegungsvermogen der Pflanze," 1881. One of + us has given some account of Wiesner's book in the presidential address to + Section D of the British Association, 1891. Wiesner's divergence from + Darwin's views is far-reaching, and includes the main thesis of the "Power + of Movement." See "Life and Letters," III., page 336, for an interesting + letter to Wiesner.) My son Francis, if he had been at home, would have + likewise sent his thanks. I will immediately begin to read your book, and + when I have finished it will write again. But I read german so very slowly + that your book will take me a considerable time, for I cannot read for + more than half an hour each day. I have, also, been working too hard + lately, and with very little success, so that I am going to leave home for + a time and try to forget science. + </p> + <p> + I quite expect that you will find some gross errors in my work, for you + are a very much more skilful and profound experimentalist than I am. + Although I always am endeavouring to be cautious and to mistrust myself, + yet I know well how apt I am to make blunders. Physiology, both animal and + vegetable, is so difficult a subject, that it seems to me to progress + chiefly by the elimination or correction of ever-recurring mistakes. I + hope that you will not have upset my fundamental notion that various + classes of movement result from the modification of a universally present + movement of circumnutation. + </p> + <p> + I am very glad that you will again discuss the view of the turgescence of + the cells being the cause of the movement of parts. I adopted De Vries' + views as seeming to me the most probable, but of late I have felt more + doubts on this head. (763/2. See "Power of Movement," page 2. De Vries' + work is published in the "Bot. Zeitung," 1879, page 830.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 764. TO J.D. HOOKER. Glenrhydding House, Patterdale, Penrith, June + 15th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + It was real pleasure to me to see once again your well-known handwriting + on the outside of your note. I do not know how long you have returned from + Italy, but I am very sorry that you are so bothered already with work and + visits. I cannot but think that you are too kind and civil to visitors, + and too conscientious about your official work. But a man cannot cure his + virtues, any more than his vices, after early youth; so you must bear your + burthen. It is, however, a great misfortune for science that you have so + very little spare time for the "Genera." I can well believe what an awful + job the palms must be. Even their size must be very inconvenient. You and + Bentham must hate the monocotyledons, for what work the Orchideae must + have been, and Gramineae and Cyperaceae will be. I am rather despondent + about myself, and my troubles are of an exactly opposite nature to yours, + for idleness is downright misery to me, as I find here, as I cannot forget + my discomfort for an hour. I have not the heart or strength at my age to + begin any investigation lasting years, which is the only thing which I + enjoy; and I have no little jobs which I can do. So I must look forward to + Down graveyard as the sweetest place on earth. This place is magnificently + beautiful, and I enjoy the scenery, though weary of it; and the weather + has been very cold and almost always hazy. + </p> + <p> + I am so glad that your tour has answered for Lady Hooker. We return home + on the first week of July, and should be truly glad to aid Lady Hooker in + any possible manner which she will suggest. + </p> + <p> + I have written to my gardener to send you plants of Oxalis corniculata + (and seeds if possible). I should think so common a weed was never asked + for before,—and what a poor return for the hundreds of plants which + I have received from Kew! I hope that I have not bothered you by writing + so long a note, and I did not intend to do so. + </p> + <p> + If Asa Gray has returned with you, please give him my kindest + remembrances. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 765. TO J.D. HOOKER. October 22nd, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I am investigating the action of carbonate of ammonia on chlorophyll, + which makes me want the plants in my list. (765/1. "The Action of + Carbonate of Ammonia on Chlorophyll Bodies." "Linn. Soc. Journ." XIX., + page 262, 1882.) I have incidentally observed one point in Euphorbia, + which has astonished me—viz. that in the fine fibrous roots of + Euphorbia, the alternate rows of cells in their roots must differ + physiologically, though not in external appearance, as their contents + after the action of carbonate of ammonia differ most conspicuously... + </p> + <p> + Wiesner of Vienna has just published a book vivisecting me in the most + courteous, but awful manner, about the "Power of Movement in Plants." + (765/2. See Letter 763, note.) Thank heaven, he admits almost all my + facts, after re-trying all my experiments; but gives widely different + interpretation of the facts. I think he proves me wrong in several cases, + but I am convinced that he is utterly erroneous and fanciful in other + explanations. No man was ever vivisected in so sweet a manner before, as I + am in this book. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2.XII. + </h2> + <h3> + VIVISECTION AND MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS, 1867-1882. + </h3> + <p> + 2.XII.I. VIVISECTION, 1875-1882. LETTER 766. TO LORD PLAYFAIR. + </p> + <p> + (766/1. A Bill was introduced to the House of Commons by Messrs. Lyon + Playfair, Walpole and Ashley, in the spring of 1875, but was withdrawn on + the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole question. + Some account of the Anti-Vivisection agitation, the introduction of bills, + and the appointment of a Royal Commission is given in the "Life and + Letters," III., page 201, where the more interesting of Darwin's letters + on the question are published.) + </p> + <p> + Down, May 26th, 1875. + </p> + <p> + I hope that you will excuse my troubling you once again. I received some + days ago a letter from Prof. Huxley, in Edinburgh, who says with respect + to your Bill: "the professors here are all in arms about it, and as the + papers have associated my name with the Bill, I shall have to repudiate it + publicly, unless something can be done. But what in the world is to be + done?" (766/2. The letter is published in full in Mr. L. Huxley's + interesting chapter on the vivisection question in his father's "Life," + I., page 438.) Dr. Burdon Sanderson is in nearly the same frame of mind + about it. The newspapers take different views of the purport of the Bill, + but it seems generally supposed that it would prevent demonstrations on + animals rendered insensible, and this seems to me a monstrous provision. + It would, moreover, probably defeat the end desired; for Dr. B. Sanderson, + who demonstrates to his class on animals rendered insensible, told me that + some of his students had declared to him that unless he had shown them + what he had, they would have experimented on live animals for themselves. + Certainly I do not believe that any one could thoroughly understand the + action of the heart without having seen it in action. I do not doubt that + you wish to aid the progress of Physiology, and at the same time save + animals from all useless suffering; and in this case I believe that you + could not do a greater service than to warn the Home Secretary with + respect to the appointment of Royal Commissioners, that ordinary doctors + know little or nothing about Physiology as a science, and are incompetent + to judge of its high importance and of the probability of its hereafter + conferring great benefits on mankind. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 767. TO LORD PLAYFAIR. Down, May 28th. + </p> + <p> + I must write one line to thank you for your very kind letter, and to say + that, after despatching my last note, it suddenly occurred to me that I + had been rude in calling one of the provisions of your Bill "monstrous" or + "absurd"—I forget which. But when I wrote the expression it was + addressed to the bigots who, I believed, had forced you to a compromise. I + cannot understand what Dr. B. Sanderson could have been about not to have + objected with respect to the clause of not demonstrating on animals + rendered insensible. I am extremely sorry that you have had trouble and + vexation on the subject. It is a most disagreeable and difficult one. I am + not personally concerned, as I never tried an experiment on a living + animal, nor am I a physiologist; but I know enough to see how ruinous it + would be to stop all progress in so grand a science as Physiology. I + commenced the agitation amongst the physiologists for this reason, and + because I have long felt very keenly on the question of useless + vivisection, and believed, though without any good evidence, that there + was not always, even in this country, care enough taken. Pray forgive me + this note, so much about myself... + </p> + <p> + LETTER 768. TO G.J. ROMANES. + </p> + <p> + (768/1. Published in "Life of Romanes," page 61, under 1876-77.) + </p> + <p> + Down, June 4th {1876}. + </p> + <p> + Your letter has made me as proud and conceited as ten peacocks. (768/2. + This may perhaps refer to Darwin being elected the only honorary member of + the Physiological Society, a fact that was announced in a letter from + Romanes June 1st, 1876, published in the "Life" of Romanes, page 50. Dr. + Sharpey was subsequently elected a second honorary member.) I am inclined + to think that writing against the bigots about vivisection is as hopeless + as stemming a torrent with a reed. Frank, who has just come here, and who + sputters with indignation on the subject, takes an opposite line, and + perhaps he is right; anyhow, he had the best of an argument with me on the + subject...It seems to me the physiologists are now in the position of a + persecuted religious sect, and they must grin and bear the persecution, + however cruel and unjust, as well as they can. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 769. TO T. LAUDER BRUNTON. + </p> + <p> + (769/1. In November, 1881, an absolutely groundless charge was brought by + the Victoria Street Society for the Protection of Animals from Vivisection + against Dr. Ferrier for an infringement of the Vivisection Act. The + experiment complained of was the removal of the brain of a monkey and the + subsequent testing of the animal's powers of reacting to certain + treatment. The fact that the operation had been performed six months + before the case came into court would alone have been fatal to the + prosecution. Moreover, it was not performed by Dr. Ferrier, but by another + observer, who was licensed under the Act to keep the monkey alive after + the operation, which was performed under anaesthetics. Thus the + prosecution completely broke down, and the case was dismissed. (769/2. + From the "British Medical Journal," November 19th, 1881. See also "Times," + November 18th, 1881.) The sympathy with Dr. Ferrier in the purely + scientific and medical world was very strong, and the British Medical + Association undertook the defence. The prosecution did good in one + respect, inasmuch as it led to the formation of the Science Defence + Association, to which reference is made in some of Mr. Darwin's letters to + Sir Lauder Brunton. The Association still exists, and continues to do good + work. + </p> + <p> + Part of the following letter was published in the "British Medical + Journal," December 3rd, 1881.) + </p> + <h3> + Down, November 19th, 1881. + </h3> + <p> + I saw in some paper that there would probably be a subscription to pay Dr. + Ferrier's legal expenses in the late absurd and wicked prosecution. As I + live so retired I might not hear of the subscription, and I should regret + beyond measure not to have the pleasure and honour of showing my sympathy + {with} and admiration of Dr. Ferrier's researches. I know that you are his + friend, as I once met him at your house; so I earnestly beg you to let me + hear if there is any means of subscribing, as I should much like to be an + early subscriber. I am sure that you will forgive me for troubling you + under these circumstances. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—I finished reading a few days ago the several physiological and + medical papers which you were so kind as to send me. (769/3. Some of + Lauder Brunton's publications.) I was much interested by several of them, + especially by that on night-sweating, and almost more by others on + digestion. I have seldom been made to realise more vividly the wondrous + complexity of our whole system. How any one of us keeps alive for a day is + a marvel! + </p> + <p> + LETTER 770. T. LAUDER BRUNTON TO CHARLES DARWIN. 50, Welbeck Street, + London, November 21st, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I thank you most sincerely for your kind letter and your offer of + assistance to Dr. Ferrier. There is at present no subscription list, as + the British Medical Association have taken up the case, and ought to pay + the expenses. Should these make such a call upon the funds of the + Association as to interfere with its other objects, the whole or part of + the expenses will be paid by those who have subscribed to a guarantee + fund. To this fund there are already a number of subscribers, whose names + are taken by Professor Gerald Yeo, one of the secretaries of the + Physiological Society. They have not subscribed a definite sum, but have + simply fixed a maximum which they will subscribe, if necessary, on the + understanding that only so much as is required shall be asked from each + subscriber in proportion to his subscription. It is proposed to send + by-and-by a list of the most prominent members of this guarantee fund to + the "Times" and other papers, and not only every scientific man, but every + member of the medical profession, will rejoice to see your name in the + list. Dr. Ferrier has been quite worn out by the worry of this + prosecution, or, as it might well be called, persecution, and has gone + down to Shanklin for a couple of days. He returns this afternoon, and I + have sent on your letter to await his arrival, knowing as I do that it + will be to him like cold water to a thirsty soul. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 771. TO T. LAUDER BRUNTON. Down, November 22nd, 1881. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks for your very kind and interesting letter... + </p> + <p> + I write now to beg a favour. I do not in the least know what others have + guaranteed in relation to Dr. Ferrier. (771/1. In a letter dated November + 27th, 1881, Sir Lauder Brunton wrote in reply to Mr. Darwin's inquiry as + to the amount of the subscriptions: "When I ascertain what they intend to + give under the new conditions—viz., that the subscriptions are not + to be applied to Ferrier's defence, but to the defence of others who may + be attacked and to a diffusion of knowledge regarding the nature and + purposes of vivisection, I will let you know...") Would twenty guineas be + sufficient? If not, will you kindly take the trouble to have my name put + down for thirty or forty guineas, as you may think best. If, on the other + hand, no one else has guaranteed for as much as twenty guineas, will you + put me down for ten or fifteen guineas, though I should like to give + twenty best. + </p> + <p> + You can understand that I do not wish to be conspicuous either by too + little or too much; so I beg you to be so very kind as to act for me. I + have a multitude of letters which I must answer, so excuse haste. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 772. TO T. LAUDER BRUNTON. + </p> + <p> + (772/1. The following letter was written in reply to Sir T. Lauder + Brunton's suggestion that Mr. Darwin should be proposed as President of + the Science Defence Association.) + </p> + <p> + 4, Bryanston Street, Portman Square, December 17th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I have been thinking a good deal about the suggestion which you made to me + the other day, on the supposition that you could not get some man like the + President of the College of Physicians to accept the office. My wife is + strongly opposed to my accepting the office, as she feels sure that the + anxiety thus caused would tell heavily on my health. But there is a much + stronger objection suggested to me by one of my relations—namely, no + man ought to allow himself to be placed at the head (though only nominally + so) of an associated movement, unless he has the means of judging of the + acts performed by the association, after hearing each point discussed. + This occurred to me when you spoke to me, and I think that I said + something to this effect. Anyhow, I have in several analogous cases acted + on this principle. + </p> + <p> + Take, for instance, any preliminary statement which the Association may + publish. I might feel grave doubts about the wisdom or justice of some + points, and this solely from my not having heard them discussed. I am + therefore inclined to think that it would not be right in me to accept the + nominal Presidency of your Association, and thus have to act blindly. + </p> + <p> + As far as I can at present see, I fear that I must confine my assistance + to subscribing as large a sum to the Association as any member gives. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry to trouble you, but I have thought it best to tell you at once + of the doubts which have arisen in my mind. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 773. TO LAUDER BRUNTON. + </p> + <p> + (773/1. Sir T. Lauder Brunton had written (February 12th) to Mr. Darwin + explaining that two opinions were held as to the constitution of the + proposed Science Defence Association: one that it should consist of a + small number of representative men; the other that it should, if possible, + embrace every medical practitioner in the country. Sir Lauder Brunton + adds: "I should be very greatly obliged if you would kindly say what you + think of the two schemes.") + </p> + <p> + Down, February 14th, 1882. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your information in regard to the Association, + about which I feel a great interest. It seems to me highly desirable that + the Association should include as many medical and scientific men as + possible throughout the whole country, who could illumine those capable of + illumination on the necessity of physiological research; but that the + Association should be governed by a council of powerful men, not too many + in number. Such a council, as representing a large body of medical men, + would have more power in the eyes of vote-hunting politicians than a small + body representing only themselves. + </p> + <p> + From what I see of country practitioners, I think that their annual + subscription ought to be very small. But would it not be possible to add + to the rules some such statement as the following one: "That by a donation + of... pounds, or of any larger sum, from those who feel a deep interest in + the progress of medical science, the donor shall become a life member." I, + for one, would gladly subscribe 50 or 100 pounds. If such a plan were + approved by the leading medical men of London, two or three thousand + pounds might at once be collected; and if any such sum could be announced + as already subscribed, when the program of the Association is put forth, + it would have, as I believe, a considerable influence on the country, and + would attract the attention of country practitioners. The Anti-Corn Law + League owed much of its enormous power to several wealthy men laying down + 1,000 pounds; for the subscription of a good sum of money is the best + proof of earnest conviction. You asked for my opinion on the above points, + and I have given it freely, though well aware that from living so retired + a life my judgment cannot be worth much. + </p> + <p> + Have you read Mr. Gurney's articles in the "Fortnightly" and "Cornhill?" + (773/2. "Fortnightly Review," XXX., page 778; "Cornhill Magazine," XLV., + page 191. The articles are by the late Edmund Gurney, author of "The power + of Sound," 1880.) They seem to me very clever, though obscurely written; + and I agree with almost everything he says, except with some passages + which appear to imply that no experiments should be tried unless some + immediate good can be predicted, and this is a gigantic mistake + contradicted by the whole history of science. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—That is a curious fact about babies. I remember hearing on good + authority that very young babies when moved are apt to clutch hold of + anything, and I thought of your explanation; but your case during sleep is + a much more interesting one. Very many thanks for the book, which I much + wanted to see; it shall be sent back to-day, as from you, to the Society. + </p> + <p> + 2.XII.II. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS, 1867-1882. LETTER 774. TO CANON FARRAR. + </p> + <p> + (774/1. The lecture which forms the subject of this letter was one + delivered by Canon Farrar at the Royal Institution, "On Some Defects in + Public School Education.") + </p> + <p> + Down, March 5th, 1867. + </p> + <p> + I am very much obliged for your kind present of your lecture. We have read + it aloud with the greatest interest, and I agree to every word. I admire + your candour and wonderful freedom from prejudice; for I feel an inward + conviction that if I had been a great classical scholar I should never + have been able to have judged fairly on the subject. As it is, I am one of + the root and branch men, and would leave classics to be learnt by those + alone who have sufficient zeal and the high taste requisite for their + appreciation. You have indeed done a great public service in speaking out + so boldly. Scientific men might rail forever, and it would only be said + that they railed at what they did not understand. I was at school at + Shrewsbury under a great scholar, Dr. Butler; I learnt absolutely nothing, + except by amusing myself by reading and experimenting in chemistry. Dr. + Butler somehow found this out, and publicly sneered at me before the whole + school for such gross waste of time; I remember he called me a Pococurante + (774/2. Told in "Life and Letters," I., page 35.), which, not + understanding, I thought was a dreadful name. I wish you had shown in your + lecture how science could practically be taught in a great school; I have + often heard it objected that this could not be done, and I never knew what + to say in answer. + </p> + <p> + I heartily hope that you may live to see your zeal and labour produce good + fruit. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 775. TO HERBERT SPENCER. Down, December 9th {1867}. + </p> + <p> + I thank you very sincerely for your kind present of your "First + Principles." (775/1. "This must have been the second edition." (Note by + Mr. Spencer.)) I earnestly hope that before long I may have strength to + study the work as it ought to be studied, for I am certain to find or + re-find much that is deeply interesting. In many parts of your "Principles + of Biology" I was fairly astonished at the prodigality of your original + views. (775/2. See "Life and Letters," III., pages 55, 56.) Most of the + chapters furnished suggestions for whole volumes of future researches. As + I have heard that you have changed your residence, I am forced to address + this to Messrs. Williams & Norgate; and for the same reason I gave + some time ago the same address to Mr. Murray for a copy of my book on + variation, etc., which is now finished, but delayed by the index-maker. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 776. TO T.H. HUXLEY. + </p> + <p> + (776/1. This letter refers to a movement set on foot at a meeting held at + the Freemasons' Tavern, on November 16th, 1872, of which an account is + given in the "Times" of November 23rd, 1872, at which Mark Pattison, Mr. + Henry Sidgwick, Sir Benjamin Brodie, Professors Rolleston, Seeley, Huxley, + etc., were present. The "Times" says that the meeting was held "by members + of the Universities and others interested in the promotion of mature study + and scientific research in England." One of the headings of the "Program + of Discussion" was "The Abolition of Prize Fellowships.") + </p> + <p> + Sevenoaks, October 22nd {1872}. + </p> + <p> + I have been glad to sign and forward the paper, for I have very long + thought it a sin that the immense funds of the Universities should be + wasted in Fellowships, except a few for paying for education. But when I + was at Cambridge it would have been an unjustifiable sneer to have spoken + of the place as one for education, always excepting the men who went in + for honours. You speak of another resolution "in the interest of the + anti-letter-writing association"—but alas, this never arrived! I + should like a society formed so that every one might receive pleasant + letters and never answer them. + </p> + <p> + We return home on Saturday, after three weeks of the most astounding + dullness, doing nothing and thinking of nothing. I hope my Brain likes it—as + for myself, it is dreadful doing nothing. (776/2. Darwin returned to Down + from Sevenoaks on Saturday, October 26th, 1872, which fixes the date of + the letter.) + </p> + <p> + LETTER 777. TO LADY DERBY. Down, Saturday {1874?}. + </p> + <p> + If you had called here after I had read the article you would have found a + much perplexed man. (777/1. Probably Sir W. Crookes' "Researches in the + Phenomena of Spiritualism" (reprinted from the "Quarterly Journal of + Science"), London, 1874. Other papers by Crookes are in the "Proceedings + of the Society for Psychical Research.") I cannot disbelieve Mr. Crooke's + statement, nor can I believe in his result. It has removed some of my + difficulty that the supposed power is not an anomaly, but is common in a + lesser degree to various persons. It is also a consolation to reflect that + gravity acts at any distance, in some wholly unknown manner, and so may + nerve-force. Nothing is so difficult to decide as where to draw a just + line between scepticism and credulity. It was a very long time before + scientific men would believe in the fall of aerolites; and this was + chiefly owing to so much bad evidence, as in the present case, being mixed + up with the good. All sorts of objects were said to have been seen falling + from the sky. I very much hope that a number of men, such as Professor + Stokes, will be induced to witness Mr. Crooke's experiments. + </p> + <p> + (778/1. The two following extracts may be given in further illustration of + Darwin's guiding principle in weighing evidence. He wrote to Robert + Chambers, April 30th, 1861: "Thanks also for extract out of newspaper + about rooks and crows; I wish I dared trust it. I see in cutting the pages + {of Chambers' book, "Ice and Water"}...that you fulminate against the + scepticism of scientific men. You would not fulminate quite so much if you + had had so many wild-goose chases after facts stated by men not trained to + scientific accuracy. I often vow to myself that I will utterly disregard + every statement made by any one who has not shown the world he can observe + accurately." In a letter to Dr. Dohrn, of Naples, January 4th, 1870, + Darwin wrote: "Forgive me for suggesting one caution; as Demosthenes said, + 'Action, action, action,' was the soul of eloquence, so is caution almost + the soul of science.") + </p> + <p> + LETTER 778. TO J. BURDON SANDERSON. Down, July 16th, 1875. + </p> + <p> + Some little time ago Mr. Simon (778/1. Now Sir John Simon) sent me the + last Report, and your statements about contagion deeply interested me. By + the way, if you see Mr. Simon, and can remember it, will you thank him for + me; I was so busy at the time that I did not write. Having been in + correspondence with Paget lately on another subject, I mentioned to him an + analogy which has struck me much, now that we know that sheep-pox is + fungoid; and this analogy pleased him. It is that of fairy rings, which + are believed to spread from a centre, and when they intersect the + intersecting portion dies out, as the mycelium cannot grow where it has + grown during previous years. So, again, I have never seen a ring within a + ring; this seems to me a parallel case to a man commonly having the + smallpox only once. I imagine that in both cases the mycelium must consume + all the matter on which it can subsist. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 779. TO A. GAPITCHE. + </p> + <p> + (779/1. The following letter was written to the author (under the + pseudonym of Gapitche) of a pamphlet entitled "Quelques mots sur + l'Eternite du Corps Humaine" (Nice, 1880). Mr. Gapitche's idea was that + man might, by perfect adaptation to his surroundings, indefinitely prolong + the duration of life. We owe Mr. Darwin's letter to the kindness of Herr + Vetter, editor of the well-known journal "Kosmos.") + </p> + <p> + Down, February 24th, 1880. + </p> + <p> + I suppose that no one can prove that death is inevitable, but the evidence + in favour of this belief is overwhelmingly strong from the evidence of all + other living creatures. I do not believe that it is by any means + invariably true that the higher organisms always live longer than the + lower ones. Elephants, parrots, ravens, tortoises, and some fish live + longer than man. As evolution depends on a long succession of generations, + which implies death, it seems to me in the highest degree improbable that + man should cease to follow the general law of evolution, and this would + follow if he were to be immortal. + </p> + <p> + This is all that I can say. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 780. TO J. POPPER. + </p> + <p> + (780/1. Mr. Popper had written about a proposed flying machine in which + birds were to take a part.) + </p> + <p> + Down, February 15th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + I am sorry to say that I cannot give you the least aid, as I have never + attended to any mechanical subjects. I should doubt whether it would be + possible to train birds to fly in a certain direction in a body, though I + am aware that they have been taught some tricks. Their mental powers are + probably much below those of mammals. It is said, and I suppose truly, + that an eagle will carry a lamb. This shows that a bird may have great + power for a short distance. I cannot remember your essay with sufficient + distinctness to make any remarks on it. When a man is old and works hard, + one subject drives another out of his head. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 781. TO T.H. HUXLEY. Worthing, September 9th, 1881. + </p> + <p> + (781/1. Mr. Anthony Rich left his house at Worthing as a legacy to Mr. + Huxley. See Huxley's "Life and Letters," II., pages 286, 287.) + </p> + <p> + We have been paying Mr. Rich a little visit, and he has often spoken of + you, and I think he enjoyed much your and Mrs. Huxley's visit here. But my + object in writing now is to tell you something, which I am very doubtful + whether it is worth while for you to hear, because it is uncertain. My + brother Erasmus has left me half his fortune, which is very considerable. + Therefore, I thought myself bound to tell Mr. Rich of this, stating the + large amount, as far as the executors as yet know it roughly. I then added + that my wife and self thought that, under these new circumstances, he was + most fully justified in altering his will and leaving his property in some + other way. I begged him to take a week to consider what I had told him, + and then by letter to inform me of the result. But he would not, however, + hardly allow me to finish what I had to say, and expressed a firm + determination not to alter his will, adding that I had five sons to + provide for. After a short pause he implied (but unfortunately he here + became very confused and forgot a word, which on subsequent reflection I + think was probably "reversionary")—he implied that there was a + chance, whether good or bad I know not, of his becoming possessed of some + other property, and he finished by saying distinctly, "I will bequeath + this to Huxley." What the amount may be (I fear not large), and what the + chance may be, God only knows; and one cannot cross-examine a man about + his will. He did not bind me to secrecy, so I think I am justified in + telling you what passed, but whether it is wise on my part to send so + vague a story, I am not at all sure; but as a general rule it is best to + tell everything. As I know that you hate writing letters, do not trouble + yourself to answer this. + </p> + <p> + P.S.—On further reflection I should like to hear that you receive + this note safely. I have used up all my black-edged paper. + </p> + <p> + LETTER 782. TO ANTHONY RICH. Down, February 4th, 1882. + </p> + <p> + It is always a pleasure to me to receive a letter from you. I am very + sorry to hear that you have been more troubled than usual with your old + complaint. Any one who looked at you would think that you had passed + through life with few evils, and yet you have had an unusual amount of + suffering. As a turnkey remarked in one of Dickens' novels, "Life is a rum + thing." (782/1. This we take to be an incorrect version of Mr. Roker's + remark (in reference to Tom Martin, the Butcher), "What a rum thing Time + is, ain't it, Neddy?" ("Pickwick," Chapter XLII.). A careful student finds + that women are also apostrophised as "rum": see the remarks of the + dirty-faced man ("Pickwick," Chapter XIV.).) As for myself, I have been + better than usual until about a fortnight ago, when I had a cough, and + this pulled me down and made me miserable to a strange degree; but my dear + old wife insisted on my taking quinine, and, though I have very little + faith in medicine, this, I think, has done me much good. Well, we are both + so old that we must expect some troubles: I shall be seventy-three on Feb. + 12th. I have been glad to hear about the pine-leaves, and you are the + first man who has confirmed my account that they are drawn in by the base, + with a very few exceptions. (782/2. "The Formation of Vegetable Mould + through the Action of Worms," 1881, page 71.) With respect to your + Wandsworth case, I think that if I had heard of it before publishing, I + would have said nothing about the ledges (782/3. "Ledges of Earth on Steep + Hill-sides" (ibid., page 278).); for the Grisedale case (782/4. "The + steep, grass-covered sides of a mountainous valley in Westmorland, called + Grisedale, were marked in many places with innumerable, almost horizontal, + little ledges...Their formation was in no way connected with the action of + worms (and their absence is an inexplicable fact)...(ibid., page 282.), + mentioned in my book and observed whilst I was correcting the + proof-sheets, made me feel rather doubtful. Yet the Corniche case (782/5. + Ibid., page 281.) shows that worms at least aid in making the ledges. + Nevertheless, I wish I had said nothing about the confounded ledges. The + success of this worm book has been almost laughable. I have, however, been + plagued with an endless stream of letters on the subject; most of them + very foolish and enthusiastic, but some containing good facts, which I + have used in correcting yesterday the "sixth Thousand." + </p> + <p> + Your friend George's work about the viscous state of the earth and tides + and the moon has lately been attracting much attention (782/6. Published + in the "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society," 1879, 1880, + 1881.), and all the great judges think highly of the work. He intends to + try for the Plumian Professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at + Cambridge, which is a good and honourable post of about 800 pounds a year. + I think that he will get it (782/7. He was elected Plumian Professor of + Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy in 1883.) when Challis is dead, and + he is very near his end. He has all the great men—Sir W. Thomson, + Adams, Stokes, etc.—on his side. He has lately been chief examiner + for the Mathematical Tripos, which was tremendous work; and the day before + yesterday he started for Southampton for a five-weeks' tour to Jamaica for + complete rest, to see the Blue Mountains, and escape the rigour of the + early spring. I believe that George will some day be a great scientific + swell. The War Office has just offered Leonard a post in the Government + Survey at Southampton, and very civilly told him to go down and inspect + the place, and accept or not as he liked. So he went down, but has decided + that it would not be worth his while to accept, as it would entail his + giving up his expedition (on which he had been ordered) to Queensland, in + Australia, to observe the Transit of Venus. (782/8. Major Leonard Darwin, + late R.E., served in several scientific expeditions, including the + Transits of Venus of 1874 and 1882.) Dear old William at Southampton has + not been very well, but is now better. He has had too much work—a + willing horse is always overworked—and all the arrangements for + receiving the British Association there this summer have been thrown on + his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + But, good Heavens! what a deal I have written about my sons. I have had + some hard work this autumn with the microscope; but this is over, and I + have only to write out the papers for the Linnean Society. (782/9. i. "The + Action of Carbonate of Ammonia on the Roots of Certain plants." {Read + March 16th, 1882.} "Journ. Linn. Soc." Volume XIX., 1882, page 239. ii. + "The Action of Carbonate of Ammonia on Chlorophyll-bodies." {Read March + 6th, 1882.} Ibid., page 262.) We have had a good many visitors; but none + who would have interested you, except perhaps Mrs. Ritchie, the daughter + of Thackeray, who is a most amusing and pleasant person. I have not seen + Huxley for some time, but my wife heard this morning from Mrs. Huxley, who + wrote from her bed, with a bad account of herself and several of her + children; but none, I hope, are at all dangerously ill. Farewell, my kind, + good friend. + </p> + <p> + Many thanks about the picture, which if I survive you, and this I do not + expect, shall be hung in my study as a perpetual memento of you. + </p> + <p> + (782/10. The concluding chapter of the "Life and Letters" gives some + account of the gradual failure in health which was perceptible in the last + year of Mr. Darwin's life. He died on April 19th, 1882, in his 74th year.) + </p> + <p> + THE END. INDEX. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +INDEX. + + {The German a-, o-, u-diaeresis are treated as a, o, u, not as ae, oe, + ue.} + + Aberrant genera, Darwin's work on. + + Abich, on Vesuvius. + + Abinger, excavations of Roman villa at. + -plants from. + + Abinger Hall, Darwin visits. + -Lord Farrer's recollections of Darwin at. + + Abiogenesis, Huxley's address on Biogenesis and. + + Abortion, Romanes on. + + Abrolhos, plants from the. + + Abromia. + + Abrus precatorius, dispersal of seeds. + + Abstract, Darwin's dislike of writing papers in. + + Abstract, the name applied by Darwin to the "Origin." + + Abutilon, F. Muller's experiments on. + + Abyssinia, flora of. + + "Academy," Darwin's opinion of the. + + Acanthaceae. + + Acceleration of development, Cope and Hyatt on retardation and. + -reference in the "Origin" to. + + Accumulation, of deposits in relation to earth-movements. + -of specific differences. + -of sterility. + -of varieties. + + Accuracy, difficult to attain. + -the soul of Natural History. + + Aceras, fertilisation of. + -monstrous flower. + + Acineta, Darwin unable to fertilise. + + Aconitum, peloria and reversion. + + Acropera, atrophy of ovules. + -Darwin's mistake over. + -fertilisation of. + -relation to Gongora. + -J. Scott's work on. + + Acropera Loddigesii, abnormal structure of ovary. + -Darwin's account of flower. + -artificial fertilisation. + -relation to A. luteola. + -J. Scott's observations. + -two sexual conditions of. + -A. luteola, Darwin's observations on. + -fertilisation of. + -flowers of. + -structure of ovary. + + Adaptation, Darwin's difficulty in understanding. + -hybrids and. + -not the governing law in Geographical Distribution. + -more clearly seen in animals than plants. + -Natural Selection and. + -in orchids. + -resemblances due to. + -in Woodpecker. + + Adenanthera pavonina, seed-dispersal by Parrots. + + Adenocarpus, a Mediterranean genus in the Cameroons. + + Adlumia. + + Adoxa, difference in flowers of same plant. + + Aecidium elatinum, Witches'-Broom fungus. + + Aegialitis Sanctae-helenae. + + Aegilops triticoides, hybrids. + + Affaiblissement, A. St. Hilaire on. + + Africa, connection with Ceylon. + -connection with India. + -continent of Lemuria and. + -considered by Murchison oldest continent. + -plants of equatorial mountains of. + + Africa (East,) coral reefs on coast. + + Africa (South), plants of. + -relation of floras of Western Europe to. + + Africa (West), botanical relation to Java. + + Agassiz, Alex., "Three Cruises of the 'Blake.'" + -his belief in evolution the result of F. Muller's writings. + -account of Florida Coral-reefs. + -letters to. + -visits Down. + + Agassiz, Louis Jean Rodolphe (1807-73): entered a college at Bienne at the + age of ten, and from 1822 to 1824 he was a student at the Academy of + Lausanne. Agassiz afterwards spent some years as a student in the + Universities of Zurich, Heidelberg, and Munich, where he gained a + reputation as a skilled fencer. It was at Heidelberg that his studies took + a definite turn towards Natural History. He took a Ph.D. degree at + Erlangen in 1829. Agassiz published his first paper in "Isis" in 1828, and + for many years devoted himself chiefly to Ichthyology. During a visit to + Paris he became acquainted with Cuvier and Alexander von Humboldt; in 1833, + through the liberality of the latter, he began the publication of his + "Recherches sur les Poissons Fossiles," and in 1840 he completed his + "Etudes sur les Glaciers." In 1846 Agassiz went to Boston, where he + lectured in the Lowell Institute, and in the following year became + Professor of Geology and Zoology at Cambridge. During the last + twenty-seven years of his life Agassiz lived in America, and exerted a + great influence on the study of Natural History in the United States. In + 1836 he received the Wollaston Medal of the Geological Society of London, + and in 1861 he was selected for the Copley Medal of the Royal Society. In + 1873 Agassiz dictated an article to Mrs. Agassiz on "Evolution and + Permanence of Type," in which he repeated his strong conviction against the + views embodied in the "Origin of Species." See "Life, Letters, and Works + of Louis Agassiz," by Jules Marcou, 2 volumes, New York, 1896; "Louis + Agassiz: his Life and Correspondence," edited by Elizabeth Cary Agassiz, 2 + volumes, London, 1885; "Smithsonian Report," 1873, page 198. + -attack on "Origin." + -Darwin's criticism of book on Brazil. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -views on creation of species. + -on geographical distribution. + -"Methods of Study" by. + -misstatement of Darwin's views. + -Walsh on. + -"Etudes sur les Glaciers." + -Darwin on glacier work of. + -on glaciers in Ceara Mts. + -glacier-ice-lake theory of Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + -on glacier moraines. + -on rock-cavities formed by glacier-cascades. + -on Darwin's theory. + -on Geology of the Amazons. + -doubts recent upheaval of Patagonia. + -mentioned. + + Age of the world. + + Aggressive plants, introduction of. + + Agricultural Society, experiments on potatoes. + + Airy, H. letter to. + + Albemarle Island, Darwin's collection of plants from. + -volcanoes of. + + Aldrovanda. + + Alerse ("Alerce"), occurrence in Chiloe. + + Algae, movement of male-cells to female organ. + + Alisma, F. Muller's observations on. + -submerged flowers of. + + Alisma macrophylla, circumnutation of. + + Allbutt, Prof. Clifford, on sperm-cells. + + Allen, Grant, review by Romanes of his "Physiological Aesthetics." + + Allen, J.A., on colours of birds. + -on mammals and birds of Florida. + + Allogamy, use of term. + + Almond, seedling peaches resembling. + + Alopecurus pratensis, fertilisation of. + + Alpine floras, Arctic and. + -of Azores, Canaries and Madeira. + -absence of, in southern islands. + -Ball on origin of flora. + -Darwin's work on. + -of United States. + -existence prior to Glacial period. + -Ice-action in New Zealand, and. + -Ball on origin of. + + Alpine insects. + + Alpine plants. + -change due to transplanting. + -slight change in isolated forms. + -as evidence of continental land at close of Glacial period. + + Alps, Australian. + -Murchison on structure of. + -submergence. + -Tyndall's book on. + + Alternate generations, in Hydrozoa. + + Amazonia, Insects of. + + Amazons, L. Agassiz on glacial phenomena in valley of. + -L. Agassiz on geology of. + -Bates on lepidoptera of. + -sedimentation off mouth of. + + Amber, extinct plants preserved in. + + Amblyopsis, a blind cave-fish, effect of conditions on. + + Ameghino, Prof., discovery of Neomylodon Listai. + + America (North), are European birds blown to? + -Falconer on elephants. + -fauna and flora of Japan and. + -flora of. + -mammalian fauna. + -introduction of European weeds. + -subsidence during Glacial period. + -western European plants and flora of. + -contrast during Tertiary period between South and. + -former greater distinction between fauna of South and. + -glaciation of South and. + -Rogers on coal-fields. + + America (South), Bollaert's "Antiquities" of. + -Araucarian fossil wood from. + -Carabi of. + -elevation of coast. + -fauna of. + -floras of Australia and. + -geology of. + -Darwin's "Geological Observations" on. + -deposition of sediment on coast. + -European plants in. + -frequency of earthquakes. + -D. Forbes on geology of. + -W. Jameson on geology of. + -D'Orbigny on. + -volcanic eruptions. + -Wallace opposed to continent uniting New Zealand, Australia and. + + American War. + + Ammonia, Darwin's work on effect on roots of carbonate of. + + Ammonites, degeneration of. + -reversion. + -of S. America. + + Amsinckia. + + Amsinckia spectabilis, dimorphism of. + + Anacamptis (=Orchis pyramidalis), fertilisation of. + + Anacharis (=Elodea Canadensis), spread of. + + Analogy, difference between homology and. + + Anamorphism, Huxley on. + + Anatifera, illustrating difficulty in nomenclature. + + Anatomy of Vertebrata, Owen's attack on Darwin and Lyell in. + + "Ancient Sea Margins," by R. Chambers. + + Anderson-Henry, Isaac (1799?-1884): of Edinburgh, was educated as a + lawyer, but devoted himself to horticulture, more particularly to + experimental work on grafting and hybridisation. As President of the + Botanical Society of Edinburgh he delivered two addresses on + "Hybridisation or Crossing of Plants," of which a full abstract was + published in the "Gardeners' Chronicle," April 13th, 1867, page 379, and + December 21st, 1867, page 1296. See obit. notice in "Gardeners' + Chronicle," September 27th, 1884, page 400. + -letter to. + + Andes, Darwin on geology of. + -high-road for European plants. + -comparatively recent origin. + + Anemophilous plants, Delpino's work on. + + Angiosperms, origin of. + + Angraecum sesquipedale, Duke of Argyll on. + + Animal Intelligence, Romanes on. + + Animals, difference between plants and. + -resemblance to plants. + + Annuals, adapted to short seasons. + -Hildebrand on percentages of. + + Anoplotherium, occurrence in Eocene of S. America. + + Ansted, David Thomas, F.R.S. (1814-80): Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, + Professor of Geology at King's College, London, author of several papers + and books on geological subjects (see "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume + XXXVII., page 43.) + -letter to. + + Antarctic continent, Darwin on existence of Tertiary. + -hypothetical. + + "Antarctic Flora," Sir J.D. Hooker's. + + Antarctic floras. + -Darwin at work on. + + Antarctic islands, plants of. + + Antarctic Land. + + "Anti-Jacobin," quiz on Erasmus Darwin in. + + "Antiquity of Man," Sir Charles Lyell's. + -cautious views on species. + -Darwin's criticism of. + -Extract on Natural Selection from. + -Falconer on. + -Owen's criticism on. + + Antirrhinum, peloric flowers. + + Ants, account in "Origin" of Slave-. + -Forel's work on. + -Moggridge on Harvesting-. + -F. Muller's observations on neuter. + -storing leaves for plant-culture. + + Apathus, living in nests of Bombus. + + Apes, comparison as regards advance in intellect between man and. + -ears of anthropoid. + + Aphides, absence of wings in viviparous. + + Aphis, Huxley on. + + Apostasia, morphology of flowers. + + Appalachian chain, Rogers on cleavage of. + + Apteryx, Owen on. + -wings of. + + Aquilegia, Hooker and Thomson on. + -variation in. + -peloria and reversion. + + Arachis hypogaea, Darwin on. + + Arachnidae. + + Araucaria, abundant in Secondary period. + + Araucarian wood, fossil in S. America. + + Arca, Morse on. + + Archaeopteryx. + + Archer-Hind, R.D., translation of passage from Plato by. + + Archetype, Owen's book on. + -Owen's term. + + d'Archiac's "Histoire des Progres de la Geologie." + -candidate for Royal Society Foreign list. + + Arctic animals, protective colours. + + Arctic climate, cause of present. + + Arctic expeditions, Darwin on. + + Arctic floras. + -relation between Alpine and. + -relation between Antarctic and. + -Hooker's Essay on. + -Darwin's admiration of Hooker's Essay. + -migration of. + + Arctic regions, few plants common to Europe and N. America not ranging + to. + -range of plants. + -northern limit of vegetation formerly lower. + -ice piled up in. + -previous existence of plants in. + + Arenaria verna, range. + + Argus pheasant, colour. + -unadorned head. + + Argyll, Duke of, attack on Romanes in "Nature." + -rejoinder by Romanes in "Nature." + -Hooker on. + -letter to. + -"Reign of Law" by. + + Aristolochia, fertilisation of. + + Aristotle, reference to. + + Ark, Fitz-Roy on extinction of Mastodon owing to construction of. + + Armadillo. + + Army, measurement of soldiers of U.S.A. + + Artemia, Schmankewitsch's experiments on. + + Ascension Island, plants of. + -earth-movements. + -volcanic rocks. + + Ascidians, budding of. + + Asclepiadeae, fertilisation of. + + Ash, comparison of peat and coal. + + Asher, Dr., sends Russian wheat to Darwin. + + Ashley. + + Ashley Heath, Mackintosh on boulders of. + + Askenasy, E., on Darwinism. + + Aspicarpa. + + Ass, hybrids between mare and. + + Asterias. + + Astragalus hypoglottis, range of. + + Astronomical causes, crust-movements due to. + + Asturian plants in Ireland. + + Atavism, use of term by Duchesne. + -Kollmann on. + + Athenaeum Club, Huxley's election. + + "Athenaeum," correspondence on Darwin's statements on rate of increase + of elephants. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -abuse of Darwin. + + Atlantic islands, peculiar genera and their origin. + + Atlantis, America and. + -Canary I. and. + -Darwin's disbelief in. + -Heer's map. + -Wollaston's. + + Atolls, Darwin's wish for investigation by boring of coral. + -Darwin on Murray's theory. + -Darwin's work on. + + Atomogenesis, term suggested as substitute for pangenesis. + + Atriplex, buried seeds found in sandpit near Melrose. + + Attica, Gaudry on fossil animals. + + Auckland Island, flora. + + Audubon, J.J., on antics of birds during courtship. + -"Ornithological Biography." + + Aurelia, Romanes on. + + Auricula, dimorphism of. + -experiments on. + + Austen, Godwin, on changes of level on English coast. + + Australia, caves of. + -character of fauna. + -flora of. + -Hooker on flora. + -relation of flora to S. America. + -relation of flora to S. Africa. + -European plants in. + -local plants in S.W. + -naturalised plants. + -plants on mountains. + -fossil plants. + -dichogamy of trees in. + -as illustrating rate and progress of evolution. + -Mastodon from. + -products of, compared with those of Asia. + -submergence. + + Australian savages and Natural Selection. + + Australian species, occurrence in Malay Archipelago and Philippines. + + Autobiographical recollections, Charles Darwin's. + + Autobiography, extract from Darwin's. + + Autogamy, Kerner's term. + + Automatism, Huxley's Essay. + + Avebury, Lord. + -address at British Association meeting at York (1881). + -on the Finns and Kjokken moddings. + -letters to. + -on the "Origin." + -"Prehistoric Times." + -on the Progress of Science. + -on Seedlings. + -story of Darwin told by. + -Darwin regrets his entrance into politics. + -on Ramsay's lake-theory. + + Averrhoa, Darwin's work on. + + Axell, Severin, book on fertilisation of plants. + + Axon, W.E., letter from Darwin to Mrs. E. Talbot published by. + + Aye Aye, Owen on the. + + Azara. + + Azores, organic relation with America. + -birds. + -European birds as chance wanderers to. + -erratic blocks. + -flora. + -European plants in. + -Miocene beds in. + -relation to Madeira and Canaries. + -Watson on the. + -Orchids from. + -mentioned. + + Babies, habit of clutching objects. + + Babington, Prof. Charles C., at the British Association (Manchester, + 1861). + -"British Flora." + -Darwin sends seeds of Atriplex to. + + Baden-Powell, Prof. + + Baer. + + Bagehot, W., article in "Fortnightly Review" on Physics and Politics. + + Bahia Blanca, collection of plants from. + + Bailey, on Heterocentron roseum. + + Baillon, on pollen-tubes of Helianthemum. + + Baker's Flora of the Mauritius and Seychelles. + + Balancement, G. St. Hilaire's law of. + + Balanidae, Darwin's work on. + + Balanus, questions of nomenclature. + + Balfour, F.M. (1851-82): Professor of Animal Morphology at Cambridge. + He was born 1851, and was killed, with his guide, on the Aiguille + Blanche, near Courmayeur, in July 1882. (See "Life and Letters," III., + page 250.) + -letter to. + -mentioned. + + Ball, J., on origin of Alpine flora. + + Ball, P., "The effects of Use and Disuse." + + Balsaminaceae, genera of. + + Banks' Cove, volcano of. + + Barber, C., on graft-hybrids of sugar-cane. + + Barber, Mrs., on Papilio nireus. + + Barberry, abundance in N. America. + -dispersal of seeds by birds. + -Lord Farrer and H. Muller on floral mechanism. + -movement of stamens. + + Barbs, see Pigeons. + + Bardfield Oxlip (Primula elatior). + + Barnacles, Darwin's work on. + -metamorphosis in. + -F. Muller on. + -nomenclature. + -of Secondary Period. + -advance in. + -complemental males compared with plants. + + Barneoud, on irregular flowers. + + "Baronne Prevost," Rivers on the rose. + + Barrande, Joachim (died 1883): devoted himself to the investigation of + the Palaeozoic fossils of Bohemia, his adopted country. His greatest + work was the "Systeme Silurien de la Boheme," of which twenty-two + volumes were published before his death. He was awarded the Wollaston + Medal of the Geological Society in 1855. Barrande propounded the + doctrine of "colonies." He found that in the Silurian strata of + Bohemia, containing a normal succession of fossils, exceptional bands + occurred which yielded fossils characteristic of a higher zone. He + named these bands "colonies," and explained their occurrence by + supposing that the later fauna represented in these "precursory bands" + had already appeared in a neighbouring region, and that by some means + communication was opened at intervals between this region and that in + which the normal Silurian series was being deposited. This apparent + intercalation of younger among older zones has now been accounted for by + infoldings and faulting of the strata. See J.E. Marr, "On the Pre- + Devonian Rocks of Bohemia," "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXXVI., + page 591 (1880); also "Defense des Colonies," by J. Barrande (Prag, + 1861), and Geikie's "Text-book of Geology" (1893), page 773. + -candidature for Royal medal. + -candidate for Royal Society foreign list. + -work on Colonies. + -Lyell on work of. + + Barriers to plant distribution in America. + + Barrow, on Emberiza longicauda. + -"Travels in S. Africa." + + Barrow, Sir J., connection with naval expeditions. + + Barrow, germination of seeds from a. + + Bartlett, Abraham Dee (1812-97): was resident superintendent of the + Zoological Society's Gardens in Regent's Park from 1859 to 1897. He + communicated several papers to the Zoological Society. His knowledge was + always at the service of Mr. Darwin, who had a sincere respect for him. + -letters to. + + Barton, on trees of N. America. + + Basalt, association with granite. + -separation of trachyte and. + + Basques, H. Christy on the. + -Hooker on Finns and. + + Bastian, "The Beginnings of Life." + + Bat, natural selection and increase in size of wings. + + Bates, Henry Walter (1825-92): was born at Leicester, and after an + apprenticeship in a hosiery business he became a clerk in Allsopp's + brewery. He did not remain long in this uncongenial position, for in 1848 + he embarked for Para with Mr. Wallace, whose acquaintance he had made at + Leicester some years previously. Mr. Wallace left Brazil after four years' + sojourn, and Bates remained for seven more years. He suffered much ill- + health and privation, but in spite of adverse circumstances he worked + unceasingly: witness the fact that his collection of insects numbered + 14,000 specimens. He became Assistant Secretary to the Royal Geographical + Society in 1864, a post which he filled up to the time of his death in + 1892. In Mr. Clodd's interesting memoir prefixed to his edition of the + "Naturalist on the Amazons," 1892, the editor pays a warm and well-weighed + tribute to Mr. Bates's honourable and lovable personal character. See also + "Life and Letters," II., page 380. + -"A Naturalist on the Amazons." + -Darwin's opinion of his work. + -on insect fauna of Amazon Valley. + -on lepidoptera of Amazons. + -letter from Hooker to. + -letters to. + -letter to Hooker from. + -Darwin reviews paper by. + -on flower of Monochaetum. + -on insects of Chili. + -supplies Darwin with facts for sexual selection. + + Bateson, Miss A., on cross fertilisation in inconspicuous flowers. + + Bateson, W., on breeding lepidoptera in confinement. + -Mendel's "Principles of Heredity." + + Batrachians, Kollmann on rudimentary digits. + + Bauer, F., drawings by. + + Bauhinia, sleep-movements of leaves. + + Beaches, S. American raised. + + "Beagle" (H.M.S.), circumstance of Darwin joining. + -Darwin's views on species when on. + -FitzRoy and voyage of. + -return of. + -voyage. + + Beans, holes bitten by bees in flowers. + -extra-floral nectaries of. + + Bear, comparison with whale. + -modification of. + + Beaton, Donald (1802-63): Biographical notices in the "Journal of + Horticulture" and the "Cottage Gardener," XIII., page 153, and "Journ. + Hort." 1863, pages 349 and 415, are referred to in Britten & Boulger's + "Biographical Index of Botanists," 1893. Dr. Masters tells us that + Beaton had a "first-rate reputation as a practical gardener, and was + esteemed for his shrewdness and humour." + -Darwin on work of. + -on Pelargonium. + + Beatson, on land birds in S. Helena. + + Beaufort. + + Beaufort, Captain, asks Darwin for information as to collecting. + + Beaumont, Elie de (1798-1874): was a pupil in the Ecole Polytechnique + and afterwards in the Ecole des Mines. In 1820 he accompanied M. + Brochant de Villiers to England in order to study the principles of + geological mapping, and to report on the English mines and metallurgical + establishments. For several years M. de Beaumont was actively engaged + in the preparation of the geological map of France, which was begun in + 1825, and in 1835 he succeeded M. B. de Villiers in the Chair of Geology + at the Ecole des Mines. In 1853 he was elected Perpetual Secretary of + the French Academy, and in 1861 he became Vice-President of the Conseil + General des Mines and a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. Elie de + Beaumont is best known among geologists as the author of the "Systemes + des Montagnes" and other publications, in which he put forward his + theories on the origin of mountain ranges and on kindred subjects. + ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXXI.; "Proc." page xliii, 1875.) + -on lines of elevation. + -on elevation in Cordilleras. + -elevation-crater theory. + -Darwin's disbelief in views and work of. + -on lava and dykes. + -Lyell's refutation of his theory. + -measurement of natural inclination of lava-streams. + + Beauty, criticism by J. Morley of Darwin's phraseology in regard to. + -discussion on. + -lepidoptera and display of. + -Wallace on. + -Darwin's discussion on origin. + -in female animals. + -in plumage of male and female birds. + -of seeds and fruits. + -Shaw on. + -standards of. + + Bedford, flint implements found near. + + Beech, in Chonos I. + -in T. del Fuego and Chili. + -Miquel on distribution. + + Bee-Ophrys (Ophrys apifera), see Bee-Orchis. + + Bee-Orchis, Darwin's experiments on crossing. + -fertilisation. + -self-fertilisation. + -intermediate forms between Ophrys arachnites and. + + Bees, combs. + -Haughton on cells of. + -and instinct. + -referred to in "Descent of Man." + -New Zealand clover and. + -acquisition of power of building cells. + -Darwin's observations on. + -agents in fertilisation of papilionaceous flowers. + -as pollen collectors. + -difference between sexes. + -H. Muller on. + -and parthenogenesis. + -regular lines of flight at Down. + + Beet, graft-hybrids. + + Beete-Jukes, alluded to in De la Beche's presidential address. + + Beetles, bivalves distributed by. + -Forel's work on. + -nest-inhabiting. + -stag-. + -stridulating organs. + + "Befruchtung der Blumen," H. Muller's, the outcome of Darwin's + "Fertilisation of Orchids." + + Begonia, monstrous flowers. + -B. frigida, Hooker on. + + Begoniaceae, genera of. + + Behring Straits, spreading of plants from. + + Belize, coral reefs near. + + Bell, on Owen's "Edinburgh Review" article. + + Bell, Sir C., "Anatomy of Expression." + + Belt, T., on conspicuously coloured animals distasteful to birds. + -letter to. + -"The Naturalist in Nicaragua." + + Ben Nevis, Ice-barrier under. + + Benson, Miss, on Chalazogamy in Amentiferae. + + Bentham, George (1800-83): son of Sir Samuel Bentham, and nephew of Jeremy, + the celebrated authority on jurisprudence. Sir Samuel Bentham was at first + in the Russian service, and afterwards in that of his own country, where he + attained the rank of Inspector-General of Naval Works. George Bentham was + attracted to botany during a "caravan tour" through France in 1816, when he + set himself to work out the names of flowers with De Candolle's "Flore + Francaise." During this period he entered as a student of the Faculte de + Theologie at Tours. About 1820 he was turned to the study of philosophy, + probably through an acquaintance with John Stuart Mill. He next became the + manager of his father's estates near Montpellier, and it was here that he + wrote his first serious work, an "Essai sur la Classification des Arts et + Sciences." In 1826 the Benthams returned to England, where he made many + friends, among whom was Dr. Arnott; and it was in his company that Bentham, + in 1824, paid a long visit to the Pyrenees, the fruits of which was his + first botanical work, "Catalogue des Plantes indigenes des Pyrenees, etc." + 1826. About this time Bentham entered Lincoln's Inn with a view to being + called to the Bar, but the greater part of his energies was given to + helping his Uncle Jeremy, and to independent work in logic and + jurisprudence. He published his "Outlines of a New System of Logic" + (1827), but the merit of his work was not recognised until 1850. In 1829 + Bentham finally gave up the Bar and took up his life's work as a botanist. + In 1854 he presented his collections and books (valued at 6,000 pounds) to + the Royal Gardens, Kew, and for the rest of his life resided in London, and + worked daily at the Herbarium. His work there began with the "Flora of + Hong Kong," which was followed by that of Australia published in 1867 in + seven volumes octavo. At the same time the "Genera Plantarum" was being + planned; it was begun, with Dr. Hooker as a collaborator, in 1862, and + concluded in 1883. With this monumental work his labours ended; "his + strength...suddenly gave way...his visits to Kew ended, and lingering on + under increasing debility, he died of old age on September 10th last" + (1883.) + The amount of work that he accomplished was gigantic and of the most + masterly character. In speaking of his descriptive work the writer (Sir + J.D. Hooker) of the obituary notice in "Nature" (October 2nd, 1884), from + which many of the above facts are taken, says that he had "no superior + since the days of Linnaeus and Robert Brown, and he has left no equal + except Asa Gray" ("Athenaeum," December 31st, 1850; "Contemporary Review," + May, 1873; "George Bentham, F.R.S." By Sir J.D. Hooker, "Annals Bot." + Volume XII., 1898). + -mentioned. + -address to Linnean Society. + -Darwin's criticism on address. + -letters to. + -extract from letter to. + -views on species and on "Origin." + -on fertilisation mechanism in Goodeniaceae. + -on hybridism. + -runs too many forms together. + -on Scott's Primula paper. + + Berberis, Pfeffer on stamens. + + Berkeley, Miles Joseph (1803-89): was educated at Rugby and Christ's + College, Cambridge; he took orders in 1827. Berkeley is described by + Sir William Thiselton-Dyer as "the virtual founder of British Mycology" + and as the first to treat the subject of the pathology of plants in a + systematic manner. In 1857 he published his "Introduction to + Cryptogamic Botany." ("Annals of Botany," Volume XI., 1897, page ix; + see also an obituary notice by Sir Joseph Hooker in the "Proc. Royal + Society," Volume XLVII., page ix, 1890.) + -address by. + -experiments on saltwater and seed-dispersal. + -letter to. + -mentioned. + -notice of Darwin's work by. + + Bermudas, American plants in. + -coral-reefs. + + Berzelius, on flints. + + Bhootan, Rhododendron Boothii from. + + Bible, chronology of. + + Biffen, R., potato grafts. + + Bignonia, F. Muller's paper on. + -B. capreolata, tendrils of. + + Binney, Edward William F.R.S. (1812-81): contributed numerous papers to the + Royal, Palaeontographical, Geological, and other Societies, on Upper + Carboniferous and Permian Rocks; his most important work deals with the + internal structure of Coal-Measure plants. In a paper "On the Origin of + Coal," published in the "Memoirs of the Manchester Literary and + Philosophical Society," Volume VIII., page 148, in 1848, Binney expressed + the view that the sediments of the Coal Period were marine rather than + estuarine, and were deposited on the floor of an ocean, which was + characterised by a "uniformity and shallowness unknown" in any oceanic area + of the present day. + -on marshes of Coal period. + -on coal and coal plants. + + Biogenesis, Huxley's address on abiogenesis and. + + Biology, Huxley's "Course of Practical Instruction" in. + + Biology of plants, Hooker's scheme for a Flora, with notes on. + + Birds, as agents of dispersal of plants. + -blown to Madeira. + -climate and effect on American. + -coloration of. + -comparison with mammals. + -as isolated groups. + -of Madeira. + -modification in. + -Andrew Murray on Wallace's theory of nests. + -Wallace's theory of nests. + -agents in dispersal of land-molluscs. + -antics during courtship. + -courtesy towards own image. + -expression of fear by erection of feathers. + -means of producing music. + -spurs on female. + -pairing. + -polygamy. + -proportion of sexes. + -sexual selection and colour. + -attracted by singing of bullfinch. + -tameness in Brazilian species. + -occurrence of unpaired. + -Weir's observations on. + + Bird of paradise, and polygamy. + + Birmingham, British Association meeting (1849). + + Bivalves, means of dispersal of freshwater. + + Bizcacha, burrowing animal of Patagonia. + + Blackbird, variation in tufted. + + Blair, Rev. R.H., observations on the blind. + + Blake, paper on Elephants in "Geologist." + + Blanford, H.F., on an Indo-oceanic continent. + + Blanford, W.T., obituary notice of Neumayr by. + + Blind, expression of those born. + + Blomefield, L., see Jenyns, L. + + Bloom, Darwin's work on. + -F. Darwin on connection between stomata and (see also Darwin, F.) + -effect of rain on. + -on leaf of Trifolium resupinatum. + -protection against parasites. + -on seashore plants. + + Blow-fly, Lowne on the. + + Blyth, Edward (1810-73): distinguished for his knowledge of Indian birds + and mammals. He was for twenty years Curator of the Museum of the + Asiatic Society of Bengal, a collection which was practically created by + his exertions. Gould spoke of him as "the founder of the study" of + Zoology in India. His published writings are voluminous, and include, + in addition to those bearing his name, numerous articles in the "Field, + Land and Water," etc., under the signature "Zoophilus" or "Z." He also + communicated his knowledge to others with unsparing generosity, yet— + doubtless the chief part of his "extraordinary fund of information" died + with him. Darwin had much correspondence with him, and always spoke of + him with admiration for his powers of observation and for his judgment. + The letters to Blyth have unfortunately not come into our hands. The + indebtedness of Darwin to Blyth may be roughly gauged by the fact that + the references under his name in the index to "Animals and Plants" + occupy nearly a column. For further information about Blyth see Grote's + introduction to the "Catalogue of Mammals and Birds of Burma, by the + late E. Blyth" in the "Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal," Part + II., Extra number, August 1875; also an obituary notice published at the + time of his death in the "Field." Mr. Grote's Memoir contains a list of + Blyth's writings which occupies nearly seven pages of the "Journal." We + are indebted to Professor Newton for calling our attention to the + sources of this note. + -reference to letter from. + -visits Down. + -on Gallinaceae. + + Blytt, Axel Gudbrand (1843-98): the son of the well-known systematist M.N. + Blytt. He was attached to the Christiania Herbarium in 1865, and in 1880 + became Professor of Botany in the University. His best-known work is the + essay referred to above, but he was also known for purely systematic work + in Botany as well as for meteorological and geological contributions to + science. The above facts are taken from C. Holtermann's obituary notice in + the "Berichte der Deutschen Bot. Gesell." Volume XVII., 1899. + -essay on immigration of Norwegian flora during alternating rainy and + dry periods. + -letter to. + + Bog-Mammoth. + + Boiler, comparison with volcano. + + Boissier, on plants of S. Spain. + + Boissiera, crossing experiments on. + + Bolbophyllum, Darwin's account of. + + Bolivia, geology of. + + Bollaert's "Antiquities of S. America." + + Bombus, diversity in generative organs. + -Psithyrus in nests of. + -Pollen-collecting apparatus of male. + + Bombycilla, protective colours. + + Bombyx, sexes in. + + Bonaparte, L., on Basque and Finnish language. + + Bonatea speciosa, F. Muller on. + -structure of flower. + + Bonney's Edition of Darwin's "Coral Reefs." + -"Charles Lyell and Modern Geology." + + Bonnier, G., on alpine plants. + + Boragineae, dimorphism in. + + Borneo, New Zealand and Australian plants in. + -temperate plants in lowlands. + -possible region for remains of early man. + + Bory's Flora of Bourbon. + + Bosquet, cirripede monograph sent by Darwin to. + -gives Darwin note on fossil Chthamalus. + + Botanical collections (national) consolidation at Kew. + + Botanist, Darwin as. + + Botany, philosophical spirit in study of. + + Boulders, transport of erratic (see also Erratic blocks). + -Darwin on Ashley Heath. + -in Glen Roy. + -on Moel Tryfan. + + Bourbon, Bory's Flora of. + + Bournemouth, Darwin's visit to. + + Bovey Tracey, Heer on fossil plants of. + + Bower, Prof. F.O., on Welwitschia. + + Bower-bird, Bartlett's experiments on. + -colours discriminated by. + + Bowman, W., Letters to. + -supplies Darwin with facts on Expression. + + Brachiopods, Morse on. + -Silurian. + + Brackish-water plants. + + Bradshaw, H., translation of Hebrew letter by. + + Brain, Owen on. + -evolution in man. + -Wallace on Natural Selection and Evolution of. + + Branchipus, Schmankewitsch's experiments on. + + Branta, mentioned in reference to nomenclature of Barnacles. + + Brassica sinapistrum, germination at Down of old seeds. + + Braun, A., convert to Darwin's views. + + Bravais, on lines of old sea-level in Finmark. + + Brazil, L. Agassiz's book on. + -Agassiz on glacial phenomena in. + -F. Muller's residence in. + -plants on mountains of. + -basalt in association with granite. + -Darwin on origin of lakes in. + -dimorphism of plants in S. + + Bree, Dr., on Celts. + -misrepresents Darwin. + + Breeders, views on Selection held by. + + Breeding, chapter in "Origin" on. + + Brehm, on birds. + + Breitenbach, Dr. + + Brewster, Sir D., on Glen Roy. + + Bridgeman. + + Brinton, Dr., attends Darwin. + + British Association, + Meetings: Belfast (1874), Birmingham (1849), Cambridge (1862), Ipswich + (1851), Leeds (1858), Liverpool (1870), Manchester (1861), Norwich + (1868), Nottingham (1866), Oxford (1847), Oxford (1860), Southampton + (1846), Swansea (1880), York (1881). + Addresses: Berkeley, Fawcett, Hooker, Hooker on Insular Floras, (see + also Hooker, Sir J.D.), Huxley on Abiogenesis, Lord Kelvin, Wallace on + Birds' Nests. + + British Association, Committee for investigation of Coral Atoll by + boring. + + British Medical Association, undertakes defence of Dr. Ferrier. + + British Museum, disposal of Botanical Collections. + + Brodie, Sir Benjamin. + + Brongniart, Ad., on Sigillaria. + + Bronn, H.G., Letter to. + -on German translation of "Origin." + -reference in his translation of "Origin" to tails of mice as difficulty + opposed to Natural Selection. + -on Natural Selection. + -"Entwickelung." + -"Morphologische Studien." + -"Naturgeschische der drei Reiche." + + Brougham, Lord, on Structure of Bees' cells. + -habit of writing everything important three times. + + Brown, H.T., and F. Escombe, on vitality of seeds. + -on influence of varying amounts of CO2 on plants. + + Brown, R., accompanies Flinders on Australian voyage. + -meets Darwin. + -dilatoriness over King's collection. + -illness. + -on course of vessels in orchid flowers. + -mentioned. + -on pollen-tubes. + -seldom indulged in theory. + + Brulle, Gaspard-Auguste (1809-73): held a post in the Natural History + Museum, Paris, from 1833 to 1839; on leaving Paris he occupied the chair + of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy at Dijon. ("Note sur la Vie et les + Travaux Entomologiques d'Auguste Brulle" by E. Desmarest. "Ann. Soc. + Entom." Volume II., page 513.) + -reference to work by. + -his pupils' eagerness to hear Darwin's views. + + Brunonia, Hamilton on fertilisation mechanism. + + Brunton, Sir T. Lauder, letters to. + -letter to Darwin from. + + Brydges and Anderson, collection of S. American plants. + + Bryophyllum calycinum, Duval-Jouve and F. Muller on movements of leaves. + + Bryozoa, specimens found during voyage of "Beagle." + + Buch, von, on craters of Albermarle I. + -Darwin's disbelief in his views. + -mentioned. + -"Travels in Norway." + + Buckland, William (1784-1856): became a scholar of Corpus Christi + College, Oxford, in 1801; in 1808 he was elected Fellow and ordained + priest. Buckland travelled on horseback over a large part of the + south-west of England, guided by the geological maps of William Smith. + In 1813 he was appointed to the Chair of Mineralogy at Oxford, and soon + afterwards to a newly created Readership in Geology. In 1823 the + "Reliquiae Diluvianae" was published, a work which aimed at supporting + the records of revelation by scientific investigations. In 1824 + Buckland was President of the Geological Society, and in the following + year he left Oxford for the living of Stoke Charity, near Whitchurch, + Hampshire. "The Bridgewater Treatise" appeared in 1836. In 1845 + Buckland was appointed Dean of Westminster; he was again elected + president of the Geological Society in 1840, and in 1848 he received the + Wollaston medal. An entertaining account of Buckland is given in Mr. + Tuckwell's "Reminiscences of Oxford," London, 1900, page 35, with a + reproduction of the portrait from Gordon's "Life of Buckland." + -on Glen Roy. + -mentioned. + + Buckle, Darwin reads book by. + + Buckley, Miss. + + Buckman, on N. American plants. + + Buckman, Prof., experiments at Cirencester. + + Bud, propagation by. + -Hooker's use of term. + -fertilisation in. + + Bud-variation. + + Buenos-Ayres, fossils sent by Darwin from. + + Bull-dog, as example of Design. + + Bullfinch, experiment on colouring. + -attracted by German singing-bird. + -Weir on pairing. + + Bunbury, Sir Charles James Fox, Bart. (1809-85): was born at Messina in + 1809, and in 1829 entered Trinity College, Cambridge. At the end of 1837 + he went with Sir George Napier to the Cape of Good Hope, and during a + residence there of twelve months Bunbury devoted himself to botanical + field-work, and afterwards (1848) published his "Journal of a Residence at + the Cape of Good Hope." In 1844 Bunbury married the second daughter of Mr. + Leonard Horner, Lady Lyell's sister. + In addition to several papers dealing with systematic and geographical + Botany Bunbury published numerous contributions on palaeobotanical + subjects, a science with which his name will always be associated as one + of those who materially assisted in raising the study of Fossil Plants + to a higher scientific level. His papers on fossil plants were + published in the "Journal of the Geological Society" between 1846 and + 1861, and shortly before his death a collection of botanical + observations made in South Africa and South America was issued in book + form in a volume entitled "Botanical Fragments" (London, 1883). Bunbury + was elected into the Royal Society in 1851, and from 1847 to 1853 he + acted as Foreign Secretary to the Geological Society. "Life, Letters, + and Journals of Sir Charles J.F. Bunbury, Bart." edited by his wife + Frances Joanna Bunbury, and privately printed. (Undated.) + -Darwin's opinion of. + -views on Evolution. + -on Agassiz's statements on glaciation of Brazil. + -on plants of Madeira. + -illness. + -mentioned. + + Bunsen, Copley medal awarded to. + -mentioned. + + Burbidge, F.W., on Malaxis. + + Burleigh, Lord. + + Burnett. + + Busk, G., visit to the Continent with Falconer. + -on caves of Gibraltar. + + Butler, A.G., identification of butterflies. + + Butler, Dr., Darwin at Shrewsbury School under. + -mentioned. + + Butterflies, attracted by colours. + -and mimicry. + -tameness of. + -colour and sexual selection. + -description by Darwin of ticking. + + Butterfly-orchis, (see also Habenaria.) + + Cabbage, Darwin's work on. + -effect of salt water on. + -Pinguicula and seeds of. + -sleep-movements of cotyledons. + -waxy secretion on leaves. + + Caddis-flies, F. Muller on abortion of hairs on legs of. + + Caenonympha, breeding in confinement. + + Caird, on Torbitt's potato experiments. + + Calcutta, J. Scott's position in Botanic Garden. + + Callidryas philea, and Hedychium. + + Callithrix Sciureus, wrinkling of eyes during screaming. + + Calluna vulgaris, in Azores. + + Cambrian, piles of unconformable strata below. + + Cambridge, Darwin and Henslow. + -Honorary LL.D. given to Darwin. + -mentioned. + -Darwin's recollections of. + -Owen's address. + -Philosophical Society meeting. + -Darwin visits. + -specimens of Darwin's plants in Botanical Museum. + + Camel, Cuvier's statement on teeth. + -in N. America. + + Cameroons, commingling of temperate and tropical plants. + -Hooker on plants of. + -plants of. + + Campanula, fertilisation mechanism. + -C. perfoliata, note by Scott on. + + Campanulaceae, crossing in. + + Campbell Island, flora. + + Campodea, Lord Avebury on. + + Canada, Sir William Dawson's work. + + Canaries, fertility of hybrids. + -plumage. + -wildness of hybrids. + + Canary Islands, flora. + -Humboldt on. + -insects of. + -Madeira formerly connected with. + -relation to Azores and Madeira. + -d'Urville on. + -African affinity of eastern. + -elevation of. + -Von Buch on. + -Trunks of American trees washed on shores of. + + Candolle, Alphonse Louis Pierre Pyramus De (1806-93): was the son of + Augustin Pyramus, and succeeded his father as Professor of Botany at + Geneva in 1835. He resigned his Chair in 1850, and devoted himself to + research for the rest of his life. At the time of his father's death, + in 1841, seven volumes of the "Prodromus" had appeared: Alphonse + completed the seventeenth volume in 1873. In 1855 appeared his + "Geographie botanique raisonnee," "which was the most important work of + his life," and if not a precursor, "yet one of the inevitable + foundation-stones" of modern evolutionary principles. He also wrote + "Histoire des Savants," 1873, and "Phytographie," 1880. He was lavish + of assistance to workers in Botany, and was distinguished by a dignified + and charming personality. (See Sir W. Thiselton-Dyer's obituary in + "Nature," July 20th, 1893, page 269.) + -on influence of climate. + -on Cupuliferae. + -on extinction of plants in cultivated land. + -"Geographie botanique." + -letters to. + -on introduced plants. + -on naturalised plants and variation. + -review by Asa Gray of. + -on relation of size of families to range of species. + -on social plants. + -mentioned. + + Candolle, C. de, on latent life in seeds. + + Canestrini, on proportion of sexes in Bombyx. + + Canna, fertilisation of. + + Cape of Good Hope (see also Africa). + -Australian flora compared with that of. + -flora. + -variable heaths of. + -Darwin's geological observations on metamorphism at. + -European element in flora. + -Meyer and Doege on plants of. + + Cape Tres Montes, the "Beagle's" southern limit. + + Caprification, F. Muller in "Kosmos" on. + + Capsella bursa-pastoris, cross-fertilisation of. + + Carabus, origin of. + -in Chili. + -A. Murray on. + + Carbon dioxide, percentage in atmosphere. + + Carboniferous period, glacial action. + -subsidence during. + + Cardamine, quasi-bulbs on leaves. + + Carduelis elegans, length of beak. + + Carex. + + Carices, of Greenland. + + Carlisle, Sir A., on Megatherium. + + Carlyle, Mrs., remark on Owen. + + Carmichael, on Tristan d'Acunha. + + Carmichaelia. + + Carnarvonshire, Darwin on glaciers of. + + Caroline Islands, want of knowledge on flora. + + Carpenter, Dr., on influence of blood in crossing. + + Carrier-pigeon (see Pigeon), preference for certain colours in pairing. + + Carrot, flowers of. + + Carruthers, W., on potato experiments. + + Carter, H.J., on reproduction of lower animals and foreshadowing of + Chemotaxis. + + Carus, Professor Victor: translated several of Mr. Darwin's books into + German (see "Life and Letters, III., page 48). + -letters to. + + Casarea, a snake peculiar to Round Island. + + Case, G., Darwin at school of. + + Cassia, Darwin's experiments on. + -sleep-movements of leaves. + -two kinds of stamens. + -Todd on flowers of. + + Cassini, observations on pollen. + -on ovaries of Compositae. + + Cassiope hypnoides. + + Castes, Galton on. + + Catalpa. + + Catasetum, fertilisation of. + -Huxley's scepticism as to mechanism of. + -morphology of flower. + -aerial roots. + -sexual forms of. + -C. saccatum, flower of. + -C. tridentatum, three sexual forms. + + Caterpillars, colour and protection. + -experiments by Weir. + + Cats, Belgian society to encourage homing of. + -habits of. + + Cattell, on crossing sweet peas. + + Cattleya, Darwin suggests experiments on. + -self-fertilisation. + + Caucasus, wingless insects of. + + Cauquenes, baths of. + + Cave-fish, reference in the "Origin" to blind. + + Cave-rat. + + Caves, animals in Australian. + + Cavia, specimens collected by Darwin. + + Ceara Mountains, L. Agassiz on glaciers of. + + Cebus, expression when astonished. + + Cecidomyia, ancestor of. + + Cedars, Hooker on. + + Celebes, geographical distribution in. + + Cellaria. + + Celosia, experiment on. + + Celts, Bree on. + + Centipedes, luminosity of. + + Centradenia, two sets of stamens in. + -position of pistil. + + Cephalanthera, flower. + -single pollen-grains. + -C. grandiflora, fertilisation mechanism. + + Cephalopods, Hyatt on embryology of. + -Hyatt on fossil. + + Cephalotus. + + Cervus campestris, of La Plata. + + Cetacea, Lyell on. + + Ceylon, Malayan types in. + -plants. + -former connection with Africa. + -dimorphic plants of. + + Chaffinch, courtship of. + + Chalazal fertilisation, Miss Benson on. + -foreshadowed by Darwin. + -Treub on. + + Chalk, occurrence of Angiosperms in. + -as oceanic deposit. + + "Challenger" (H.M.S.), reports reviewed by Huxley. + -account of sedimentation in. + + Challis, Prof. + + Chambers, Robert (1802-71): began as a bookseller in Edinburgh in 1816, and + from very modest beginnings he gradually increased his business till it + became the flourishing publishing firm of W. & R. Chambers. After writing + several books on biographical, historical and other subjects, Chambers + published anonymously the "Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation" in + 1844; in 1848 his work on "Ancient Sea Margins" appeared; and this was + followed by the "Book of Days" and other volumes. ("Dict. Nat. Biog." + 1887; see also Darwin's "Life and Letters," I., pages 355, 356, 362, 363.) + -announced as author of "Vestiges of Creation." + -on derivation of marine from land and fresh-water organisms. + -Darwin visits. + -on Glen Roy. + -on land-glaciation of Scotland. + -letters to. + -letter to Milne-Home from. + -on scepticism of scientific men. + -mentioned. + + Chance, use of term. + + Chandler, S.E. (see Farmer, J.B.) + + Changed conditions, Schmankewitsch's experiments on effect of. + + Charles Island, Darwin's plants from. + + Charlock, germination of old seeds. + + Chatham Island, Darwin's collection of plants from. + -Travers on. + + Checks, use of artificial. + + Chemotaxis, foreshadowed by Carter. + + Chiasognathus Grantii. + + Childhood, Charles Darwin's. + + Children, Darwin on. + -experiment on emotions of. + -colour-sense. + -coloured compared with white. + -comparison between those of educated and uneducated parents. + -expression. + -development of mind. + -intelligence of monkeys and. + + Chili, elevation of coast. + -geology of. + -plants common to New Zealand and. + -Carabus of. + -Darwin on earthquakes and terraces in. + + Chillingham cattle, Darwin and Hindmarsh on. + + Chiloe, description of. + -forests. + -geology. + -plants on mountains. + -boulders. + + China, expedition to. + + Chinese, explanation of affinities with Mexicans. + + "Chips from a German Workshop," Max Muller's. + + Chloeon dimidiatum, Lord Avebury on. + + Chlorite, segregation of. + + Chlorophyll, Darwin's work on action of carbonate of ammonia on. + + Chonos Islands, Darwin's collections of plants from. + -Darwin's account of. + -geology of. + -potato. + + Christy, H. + + Christy, Miller, on oxlip. + + Chrysosplenium oppositifolium. + + Chthamalus, in the chalk. + + Cicada, experiments on eggs. + -Muller on rivalry of. + -Walsh on. + -C. septendecim, Sharp's account of. + + Cinchona, Hooker on different rates of growth in seedlings. + + Circumnutation, F. Muller's observations on. + + Cirripedes, see Barnacles. + + Cistus, hybridism of. + + Citrus, unequal cotyledons. + -polyembryonic seeds. + + Civilisation, effect on savages. + + Claparede, convert to Darwin's views. + -and Mdlle. Royer. + + Clapperton's "Scientific Meliorism," letter of Gaskell in. + + Clark, on classification of sponges. + + Clark, Sir James (1788-1870): was for some years a medical officer in + the Navy; he afterwards practised in Rome till he moved to London in + 1826. On the accession of Queen Victoria he was made Physician in + Ordinary and received a baronetcy; he was elected into the Royal Society + in 1832. ("Dict. Nat. Biog." 1857; article by Dr. Norman Moore.) + -on Glen Roy. + + Clarke, W.B., "Wreck of the 'Favourite.'" + + Clarkia, two kinds of stamens. + -C. elegans. + + Classification, Bentham on. + -Cuvier on. + -Dana on mammalian. + -Darwin on. + -Darwin and Huxley on. + -genealogy and. + -value of reproductive organs in. + + Clay-slate, metamorphism of. + + Cleavage and foliation. + -Darwin on his work on. + -history of work on. + -parallelism of foliation and. + -relation to stratification. + -relation to rock-curves. + -Rogers on. + -Sedgwick on. + -uniformity of foliation and. + -result of chemical action. + -metamorphic schists. + -lines of incipient tearing form planes of. + -Tyndall on Sorby's observations. + + Cleistogamic flowers, fertilisation. + -of grass. + -of Oxalis and Viola. + -pollen of. + -comparison with Termites. + + Clematis, Darwin's error in work on. + -Darwin's experiments on. + -irritability. + + Clematis glandulosa, identified at Down by power of feeling. + + Cleodora, specific differences in. + + Clethra, absence in Azores. + -remnant of Tertiary Flora. + + Clianthus. + + Clift, William (1775-1849): Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College + of Surgeons. + -on fossil bones from Australia. + -Owen assistant to. + + Climate, changes in. + -effect on species. + -effect on species of birds. + -migration of organisms and change in. + -relation to distribution and structure of plants. + -extinct mammals as evidence of change in. + -and sexual differentiation. + -variation and. + -Lyell on former. + -mild Miocene. + + Climbing Plants, Darwin's work on. + -circumnutation of. + -F. Muller's work on. + + Clivia, Scott's work on. + + Clodd's memoir of Bates. + + Close species, absence of intermediate forms between. + -definition of. + -Asa Gray on. + -in warm temperate lands of N. and S. hemispheres. + -relation to flora of N. America. + + Clover, relation between bees and. + + Club, dinner at Linnean. + -Philosophical. + + Coal, Darwin on origin of. + -Lesquereux on the flora of. + -marine marshes and plants of. + -ash of. + + Coal period, higher percentage of CO2 during. + + Coast-lines, parallelism with lines of volcanoes. + + Cobbe, Miss, article in "Theological Review" on "Descent of Man." + + Cockburn Island, boulders from. + + Cochin hen, experiments on. + + Coelogyne, fertilisation mechanism. + + Coffea arabica, seeds with two embryos. + + Cohn, F., notice in "Cornhill" of his botanical work. + + Coldstream, Dr. + + Colenso, on Maori races of New Zealand. + + Coleoptera, apterous form of Madeira. + -colonisation of ants' nests by. + + Colias edusa, wings of. + + Collecting, Darwin's early taste for. + + Collier, Hon. John: Royal Academician, son-in-law to Professor Huxley. + -Art primer by. + -letter to. + -portrait of Darwin by. + + Collingwood, Dr., on mimetic forms. + + Colonies, Barrande's. + + Colonisation, conditions of. + + Coloration, Walsh on unity of. + + Colour, butterflies attracted by. + -mimicry in butterflies by means of. + -of dioecious flowers. + -and fertilisation of flowers. + -in grouse, and Natural Selection. + -in birds. + -in male birds, not simply due to Natural Selection. + -Darwin's work on. + -Darwin differs from Wallace in views on. + -evolution of. + -experiments on birds. + -Hackel on lower animals and. + -Krause on. + -Magnus on. + -protection and. + -relation to sex. + -in seeds and fruits. + -and Sexual Selection. + -sense of, in children. + -Wallace on. + + Columba aenas, habits of. + -C. livia, descent of pigeons from. + + Combretum. + + Combs, bees', (see also Bees). + + Comparative anatomy, Huxley's book on. + + Compensation, belief of botanists in. + + Compiler, Darwin's opinion of a. + + Compositae, Harvey on. + -Masters' reference to. + -monstrosities in. + -morphological characters. + -Schleiden on. + -Darwin on crossing. + -fertilisation mechanism. + -Hildebrand on dispersal of seeds. + -viscid threads of seeds. + + Comte, Huxley on. + + Concepcion Island, geology of. + -Darwin's account of earthquake. + + Conchoderma, in reference to nomenclature. + + Concretions, origin of. + + Conditions of life, effect on animals and plants. + -effect on elephants. + -effect on reproductive system. + -hybrids and. + -importance in maintaining number of species. + -species and changes in. + -and sterility. + -variability depends more on nature of organisms than on. + + Confervae and sexuality. + + Coniferae, abundant in humid temperate regions. + + Connecting links. + -Gaudry on. + + Conscience, Morley on Darwin's treatment of. + + Conspectus crustaceorum, Dana's. + + Constancy, in abnormally developed organs. + + Contemporaneity, Darwin on. + + Continental elevation, volcanic eruptions and. + + Continental extension, Darwin on. + -evidence in favour of. + -Hooker on. + -Lyell on. + -and means of distribution. + -New Zealand and. + + Continental forms, versus insular. + + Continents, inhabitants of islands and. + -movements of. + -Wallace on sinking imaginary. + + Controversy, Darwin's hatred and avoidance of. + + Convallaria majalis, in Virginia. + + Convolvulus, supposed dimorphism of. + + Cooling of crust, disagreement among physicists as to rate. + + Cope, Edward Drinker (1840-97): was for a short time Professor at Haverford + College; he was a member of certain United States Geological Survey + expeditions, and at the time of his death he held a Professorship in the + University of Pennsylvania. He wrote several important memoirs on + "Vertebrate Paleontology," and in 1887 published "The Origin of the + Fittest." + -style of. + -and Hyatt, theories of. + + Copley medal, Darwin and the. + -Falconer, and Darwin's. + -Lindley considered for the. + -awarded to Lyell. + -awarded to Bunsen. + -Darwin describes letter from Hooker as a. + + Coquimbo, Darwin visits. + -upraised shells. + + Coral islands, and subsidence. + -plants of. + + Coral reefs, Darwin's work on. + -Bonney's edition of Darwin's book on. + -A. Agassiz on. + -Dana on. + -fossil. + -Murray on. + -conditions of life of polyps. + -solution by CO2 of. + -subsidence of. + + Coral tree, (see Erythrina). + + Corallines, nature of. + + Cordiaceae, dimorphism in. + + Cordilleras, glaciers of. + -high-road for plants. + -plants of. + -birds of. + -comparison between Glen Roy and terraces of. + -Darwin on earth-movements of. + -Forbes on. + -submarine lava-streams. + -volcanic activity and elevation. + + Coronilla, Lord Farrer on. + -C. emerus. + -C. varia. + + Coryanthes, "beats everything in orchids." + + Corydalis, Hildebrand shows falsity of idea of self-fertilisation of. + -C. cava, Hildebrand on self-sterility of. + -C. claviculata, tendrils of. + -C. tuberosa, possible case of reversion in floral structure. + + "Cottage Gardener," Darwin offers reward for Hyacinth grafts. + + Cotyledons, Darwin's experiments on. + + Counterbalance, Watson on divergent variation and. + + Cowslips, Primroses and. + -Darwin's experiments on artificial fertilisation. + -homomorphic seedlings. + -loss of dimorphism. + + Craig Dhu, shelves of. + + Craters, in Galapagos Island. + -of denudation, Lyell on. + -of elevation. + -Darwin on. + + Crawford, John (1783-1868): Orientalist, Ethnologist, etc. Mr. Crawford + wrote a review on the "Origin," which, though hostile, was free from + bigotry (see "Life and Letters," II., page 237).) + + Creation, acts of. + -doctrine of. + -of species as eggs. + -Owen on. + -Romanes on individual. + + Creation-by-variation, doctrine of. + + "Creed of Science," Graham's. + + Cresy, E., letters to. + + Cretaceous flora, Heer on Arctic. + + Crick, W.D., letter to. + + Crinum, crossing experiments on. + -C. passiflora, fertility of. + + Crocker, W., work on hollyhocks. + + Croll, James (1821-90): was born at Little Whitefield, in Perthshire. + After a short time passed in the village school, he was apprenticed as a + wheelwright, but lack of strength compelled him to seek less arduous + employment, and he became agent to an insurance company. In 1859 he was + appointed keeper in the Andersonian University and Museum, Glasgow. His + first contribution to science was published in the "Philosophical Magazine" + for 1861, and this was followed in 1864 by the essay "On the Physical Cause + of the Change of Climate during the Glacial Period." From 1867 to 1881 he + held an appointment in the department of the Geological Survey in + Edinburgh. In 1876 Croll was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. His + last work, "The Philosophical Basis of Evolution," was published in the + year of his death. ("Nature," Volume XLIII., page 180, 1891.) + -Darwin on his theory. + -on icebergs as grinding agents. + -letters to. + -Lyell on his theory. + -on sub-aerial denudation. + -on time. + + Crookes, Sir W., on spiritualism. + + "Cross and Self-fertilisation," Darwin's book on. + + Cross-fertilisation, Darwin's experiments on self- and. + -check to endless variability. + -Darwin states that as a rule flowers described as adapted to self- + fertilisation are really adapted to. + -of inconspicuous flowers. + -all plants require occasional. + -small advantages when confined to same plant. + + Crosses, fertility and sterility of. + + Crossing, agreement between Darwin's and breeders' views. + -counterbalance of. + -Darwin's views on. + -effects of. + -experiments on. + -Hooker's views. + -in animals and plants. + -influence of blood in. + -intermediate character of results. + -Natural Selection and disinclination towards. + -offspring of. + -of primroses and cowslips. + -and sterility. + -Westphalian pig and English boar. + -botanists' work on. + -importance of. + -pains taken by Nature to ensure. + -in Pisum. + -in Primula. + -in individuals of same species. + -F. Muller compliments Darwin on his chapter on. + -and separate sexes in trees. + + Crotalaria. + + Crotalus. + + Cruciferae, action of fungus on roots. + + Cruciferous flower, morphology. + + Cruger, Dr., on cleistogamic fertilisation of Epidendrum. + -death of. + -on fertilisation of figs. + -on pollinia of Acropera. + -on Melastomaceae. + -on fertilisation of orchids. + + Crustacea, comparison of classification of mammals and. + -Darwin on. + -F. Muller on. + -sex in. + + Crying, action of children in. + -physiology of. + -wrinkling of eyes in. + + Crystal Palace, Darwin's visit to. + + Crystals, separation in lava-magmas. + + Cucurbita, seeds and seedlings of. + + Cucurbitaceae, Dr. Wight on. + + Cudham Wood. + + Cultivated plants, Darwin's work on. + + Cultivation and self-sterility. + + Cuming, on Galapagos Islands. + + Cupuliferae, A. de Candolle on. + + Curculionidae, Schoenherr's catalogue. + + Currents, as means of dispersal. + + Cuvier, on camels' teeth. + -on classification. + -mentioned. + + Cybele, H.C. Watson's. + + Cycadaceae, supposed power to withstand excess of CO2. + + Cyclas cornea. + + Cyclops (H.M.S.) dredging by. + + Cynips, dimorphism in. + -Walsh on. + + Cypripedium, fertilisation mechanism. + -C. hirsutissimum. + + Cyrena, range and variability. + + Cytisus Adami, Darwin on. + -note on. + -C. alpinus. + -C. laburnum, graft-hybrids between C. purpureus and. + -J.J. Weir on. + + Cyttarogenesis, suggested substitute for pangenesis. + + Dallas, W.S., translator of F. Muller's "Fur Darwin." + + Dampiera, Hamilton on fertilisation mechanism. + + Dana, James Dwight (1813-95): published numerous works on Geology, + Mineralogy, and Zoology. He was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal + Society in 1877, and elected a foreign member in 1884. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -health. + -letters to. + -mentioned. + -on classification of mammalia. + -Darwin's criticism of. + -on Kilauea. + -Lyell on his claims for Royal Society foreign list. + -volume on geology in Wilkes' Reports. + + Dareste, C., letter to. + + Darwin, Annie: Charles Darwin's daughter. + + Darwin, Bernard: Charles Darwin's grandson, observations on, as a child. + + Darwin, Caroline (1800-99): Charles Darwin's sister. + -Charles Darwin's early recollections of. + -letter to. + + Darwin, Catherine (1810-66): Charles Darwin's sister. + -death. + -letter to. + + Darwin, Charles, boyhood. + -went to Mr. Case's school. + -went to Shrewsbury School. + -abused as an atheist. + -Collier's picture of. + -complains of little time for reading. + -contribution to Henslow's biography. + -Copley medal awarded to. + -engagement to Miss Emma Wedgwood. + -Falconer's list of scientific labours of. + -first meeting with Hooker. + -friendship with Huxley. + -on Gray's work on distribution. + -growth of his evolutionary views. + -health. + -honorary degree at Cambridge. + -intimacy with Hooker. + -Judd's recollections of. + -Lamarck and. + -letters to "Nature." + -marriage. + -friendship with F. Muller. + -prefatory note to Meldola's translation of Weismann. + -recollections of Cambridge. + -relation between J. Scott and. + -review on Bates. + -attends meeting of Royal Society. + -slowness in giving up old beliefs. + -tendency to restrict interest to Natural History. + -and the "Vestiges." + -visits London. + -Wallace and. + -and Weismann. + -working hours. + -book on S. American Geology. + -pleasure in angling. + -on making blunders. + -slight knowledge of Botany. + -visits Cambridge. + -love of children. + -on cleavage and foliation. + -on origin of coal. + -his theory of Coral reefs supported by Funafuti boring. + -large correspondence. + -on danger of trusting in science to principle of exclusion. + -death of his child from scarlet fever. + -on difficulty of writing good English. + -feels need of stimulus in work. + -subscribes to Dr. Ferrier's defence. + -on flaws in his reasoning. + -follows golden rule of putting adverse facts in strongest light. + -"Geological Instructions." + -geological work on Lochaber. + -visit to Glen Roy. + -bad handwriting. + -idleness a misery. + -on immortality and death. + -on lavas. + -letter to "Scotsman" on Glen Roy. + -indebtedness to Lyell. + -on Lyell as a geologist. + -on Lyell's "Second Visit to the U.S.A." + -work on Man and Sexual Selection. + -on mountain-chains. + -offer of help to F. Muller. + -never afraid of his facts. + -an honorary member of the Physiological Society. + -pleasure in discussing Geology with Lyell. + -reads paper before Linnean Society. + -A. Rich leaves his fortune to. + -on satisfaction of aiding fellow-workers in Science. + -reminiscences of school-days. + -visits Sedgwick. + -sits to an artist. + -on speculation. + -style in writing. + -gives testimonial in support of Hooker's candidature for Botanical + Chair in Edinburgh. + -theological abuse in the "Three Barriers." + -visits to Abinger. + -visit to Patterdale. + -on vitality of seeds. + -on volcanic phenomena. + -on Welsh glaciers. + -work on action of carbonate of ammonia on plants. + + Darwin, Mrs. Charles, impressions of Down. + -letter to. + -passage from Darwin's autobiography on. + -mentioned. + -illness. + + Darwin, Emma, see Mrs. Charles Darwin. + + Darwin, Erasmus Alvey (1804-81): elder brother of Charles Darwin. + -death of. + -letters to. + -mentioned. + -visit to. + + Darwin, Dr. Erasmus: Charles Darwin's grandfather. + -Charles Darwin's preliminary notice to Krause's memoir of. + -Charles Darwin and evolutionary views of. + + Darwin, Francis: Charles Darwin's son. + -on bloom and stomata. + -on Dipsacus. + -on Huxley's speech at Cambridge. + -on the Knight-Darwin law. + -on lobing of leaves. + -experiments on nutrition. + -experiments on plant-movements. + -lecture at Glasgow (British Association, 1901) on perceptions of + plants. + -suggestion for Romanes' experiments on intelligence. + -on vivisection. + -on Vochting's work. + -on Wiesner's work. + + Darwin, George: Charles Darwin's son. + -success at Cambridge. + -criticism of Wallace. + -elected Plumian Professor at Cambridge. + -suggested experiments with magnetic needles and insects. + -on Galton's work on heredity. + -article in "Contemporary Review" on origin of language. + + Darwin, Henrietta (Mrs. Litchfield): Charles Darwin's daughter. + -criticism of Huxley. + + Darwin, Horace: Charles Darwin's son. + -remark as a boy on Natural Selection. + -mentioned. + + Darwin, Leonard: Charles Darwin's son. + + Darwin, Robert W.: Charles Darwin's father. + -letter to. + + Darwin, Susan: Charles Darwin's sister. + -alluded to in early recollections of Charles Darwin. + -illness. + -sends Wedgwood ware to Hooker. + + Darwin, William Erasmus: Charles Darwin's eldest son. + -on fertilisation of Epipactis palustris. + -letter to. + + "Darwin and after Darwin," Romanes'. + + "Darwiniana," Asa Gray's. + -extract from Huxley's. + + "Darwinsche Theorie," Wagner's book. + + "Darwinism," Wallace's. + + Darwinismus, at the British Association meeting at Norwich (1868). + + Daubeny, Prof. Charles Giles Bridle, F.R.S. (1795-1867): Fellow of + Magdalen College, Oxford; elected Professor of Chemistry in the + University 1822; in 1834 he became Professor of Botany, and in 1840 + Professor of Rural Economy. + -invites Darwin to attend British Association at Oxford. + -mentioned. + + David, Prof. Edgeworth, and the Funafuti boring. + + Dawn of life, oldest fossils do not mark the. + + Dawson, Sir J. William, C.M.G., F.R.S. (1820-99), was born at Pictou, + Nova Scotia, and studied at Edinburgh University in 1841-42. He was + appointed Principal of the McGill University, Montreal, in 1855,—a post + which he held thirty-eight years. See "Fifty Years of Work in Canada, + Scientific and Educational," by Sir William Dawson, 1901. + -antagonism to Darwinism. + -criticism of "Origin" by. + -criticism of Hooker's arctic paper. + -Hooker on. + + Dayman, Captain, on soundings. + + De la Beche, Sir Henry Thomas (1796-1855): was appointed Director of the + Ordnance Geological Survey in 1832; his private undertaking to make a + geological survey of the mining districts of Devon and Cornwall led the + Government to found the National Survey. He was also instrumental in + forming the Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn Street. + + Death, Darwin on immortality and. + + Decaisne. + + Decapods, Zoea stage of. + + Dedication of Hackel's "Generelle Morphologie" to Darwin. + + Dedoublement, theory of. + + Deep-sea soundings, Huxley's work on. + + Degeneration, in ammonites. + -of culinary plants. + -and parasitism. + + Degradation. + + Deification of Natural Selection. + + Deinosaurus, and free-will. + + Delboeuf's "La Psychologie," etc. + + Delpino, F., on Asclepiadeae and Apocyneae. + -on crossing. + -on dichogamy. + -on fertilisation mechanism. + -letter to. + -praises Axell's book. + -mentioned. + + Demosthenes, quoted by Darwin. + + Denudation, Dana on. + -Darwin on marine. + -comparison of subaerial and marine. + -Ramsay and Jukes overestimate subaerial. + + Deodar, Hooker on the. + + Deposition and denudation as measure of time. + + Derby, Lady, letter to. + + Descent, Falconer on intermediate forms. + -from single pair. + -Owen's belief in doctrine of. + -resemblance due to. + + Descent of Man. + + "Descent of Man," reference in, to effect of climate on species. + -reviewed by John Morley. + -transmission of characters dealt with in. + -Darwin's work on. + -Sir W. Turner supplies facts for. + -Wallace on. + + Descent with modification, Wallace on. + + Desert animals, and protective colouring. + + Design, Darwin on. + -examples of. + -Lord Kelvin on. + + Deslongchamps, L., on fertilisation of closed flowers. + + Desmodium gyrans, Darwin's experiments on. + -leaf movements. + + Development, acceleration and retardation in. + -floral. + -importance of, in classification. + -rate of. + -sudden changes during. + + Devonshire Commission, report on physiological investigation at Kew. + + Devonshire, flora of. + + Dewar, Prof., and Sir Wm. Thiselton-Dyer, on vitality of seeds in liquid + hydrogen. + + Diaheliotropism, F. Muller's observations. + + Dialogue, title of paper by Asa Gray. + + Diatomaceae, beauty of. + -conjugation in. + + Dicentra thalictriformis, morphology of tendrils. + + Dichaea, fertilisation mechanism. + + Dichogamy, Delpino on. + -ignorance of botanists of, prior to publication of "Fertilisation of + Orchids." + + Dick, Sir T. Lauder, Survey of Glen Roy by. + + Dickens, quotation from. + + Dickson, Dr. + + Dickson, W.K. + + Dicotyledons, Heer on oldest known. + -sudden appearance. + + Didelphys. + + Digestion, beneficial effect on plants. + + Dillwyn, paper in "Gardeners' Chronicle." + + Diluvium, tails of. + + Dimorphism, in Cynips. + -Darwin on. + -difficult to explain. + -and mimicry. + -in parasitic plants. + -Wallace on. + -Walsh on. + -Weismann on Sexual. + -in Cicadas. + -flowers illustrating. + -Darwin knows no case in very irregular flowers. + -in Melastomaceae. + -in Linum. + -in eight Natural Orders. + -in Primula. + -apparent cases due to mere variability. + -explanation of. + + Dingo. + + Diodia. + + Dioeciousness, origin of. + + Dionoea, experiments on. + response to stimuli. + Curtis' observations on. + + Dipsacus, F. Darwin on. + + Dipterocarpus, survival during glacial period. + + Direct action, arguments against. + -Darwin led to believe more in. + -Darwin's desire not to underestimate. + -Darwin's underestimates. + -facts proving. + -Falconer on. + -and hybridity. + -importance of. + -of pollen. + -variation and. + + Direction, sense of, in animals. + + Disease, Dobell on "Germs and Vestiges" of. + + Dispersal, (see also Distribution), of seeds. + -of shells. + + Distribution, Forbes on. + -Hooker on Arctic plants. + -of land and sea in former times. + -of plants. + -factors governing. + -of shells. + -Thiselton-Dyer on plant-. + -Wallace on. + -Blytt's work on. + + Disuse, Darwin on. + -effect of. + -Owen on. + + Divergence, Hooker on. + -principle of. + + Diversification, Darwin's doctrine of the good of. + + Dobell, H., letter to. + + Dogs, descent of. + -experiment in painting. + -expression. + -habits. + -rudimentary tail inherited in certain sheep-. + + Dohrn, Dr., visits Darwin. + -serves in Franco-Prussian war. + -extract from letter to. + + "Dolomit Riffe," Darwin on Mojsisovics'. + + Domestic animals, crossing in. + -Darwin's work on. + -Settegast on. + -variability of. + -treatment in "Variation of Animals and Plants." + + Domestication, effects of. + -and loss of sterility. + + Domeyko, on Chili. + + Dominant forms. + + Don, D., on variation. + -mentioned. + + Donders, F.C., on action of eyelids. + -letters to. + + Dorkings, power of flight. + + Down, description of house and country. + -Darwin's satisfaction with his house. + -instances of vitality of seeds recorded from. + -method of determining plants at. + -Darwin on geology of. + -observations on regular lines of flight of bees at. + + Down (lanugo), on human body. + + Dropmore. + + Drosera, F. Darwin's experiments. + -"a disguised animal." + -Darwin's observations on. + -Darwin's pleasure on proving digestion in. + -effect of inorganic substance on. + -experiments on absorption of poison. + -Pfeffer on. + -J. Scott's paper on. + -response to stimuli. + -D. filiformis, experiments on. + -D. rotundifolia, experiments on. + + Drosophyllum, vernation of. + -Darwin's work on. + -Drosophyllum lusitanicum, sent by Tait to Darwin. + -used in Portugal to hang up as fly-paper. + + Druidical mounds, seeds from. + + Drummond, J., on fertilisation in Leschenaultia formosa. + + Duchesne, on atavism. + + Ducks, period of hatching. + -skeletons. + -hybrids between fowls and. + + Dufrenoy, Pierre Armand: published "Memoires pour servir a une + Description Geologique de la France," as well as numerous papers in the + "Annales des Mines, Comptes Rendus, Bulletin Soc. Geol. France," and + elsewhere on mineralogical and geological subjects. + -geological work of. + + Duncan, Rev. J., encourages J. Scott's love for plants. + + Dung, plants germinated from locust-. + + Dutrochet, on climbing plants. + + Duval-Jouve, on leaf-movement in Bryophyllum. + + Dyer, see Thiselton-Dyer. + + Dytiscus, as means of dispersal of bivalves. + + Ears, loss of voluntary movement. + -in man and monkeys. + -rudimentary muscles. + -Wallis's work on. + + Earth, age of the. + + Earth-movements, cause of. + -in England. + -relation to sedimentation. + -subordinate part played by heat in. + + Earthquakes, coincidence of shocks in S. America and elsewhere. + -connection with elevation. + -connection with state of weather. + -Darwin on. + -in England. + -frequency of. + -Hopkins on. + -in Scotland. + + Earthworms, Darwin's book on. + -geological action of. + -influence of sea-water on. + -F. Muller gives Darwin facts on. + -Typhlops and true. + + Echidna, anomalous character of. + + Edentata, migration into N. America. + + Edgeworth, mentioned. + + Edinburgh, Darwin's student-days in. + -Hooker's candidature for Chair of Botany. + + "Edinburgh Review," article on Lyell's "Antiquity of Man." + -reference to Huxley's Royal Institution Lectures. + -Owen's article. + + Education, effect of. + -influence on children of parents'. + + Edwardsia, seeds possibly floated from Chili to New Zealand. + -in Sandwich Is. and India. + + Egerton, Sir Philip de Malpas Grey- (1806-81): devoted himself to the + study of fossil fishes, and published several memoirs on his collection, + which was acquired by the British Museum. + + Eggs, creation of species as. + -means of dispersal of molluscan. + + Ehrenberg, Ascension I. plants sent to. + -on rock-building by infusoria. + -Darwin's wish that he should examine underclays. + + Eichler, A.W., on morphology of cruciferous flower. + -on course of vessels as guide to floral morphology. + -reference to his Bluthendiagramme. + + Eildon Hills, need of examination of. + + Elateridae, luminous thorax of. + + Elective affinity. + + Electric organs of fishes, the result of external conditions. + + Electricity, and plant-movements. + + "Elements of Geology," Wallace's review of Lyell's. + + Elephants, Falconer's work on. + -rate of increase of. + -and variation. + -found in gravel at Down. + -manner of carrying tail. + -shedding tears. + + Elephas Columbi, Falconer on. + -Owen's conduct in regard to Falconer's work on. + -E. primigenius, as index of climate. + -woolly covering of. + -E. texianus, Owen and nomenclature of. + + Elevation, in Chili. + -lines of. + -New Zealand and. + -continental extension, subsidence and. + -connection with earthquakes. + -equable nature of movements of subsidence and. + -evidence in Scandinavia and Pampas of equable. + -Hopkins on. + -large areas simultaneously affected by. + -d'Orbigny on sudden. + -rate of. + -Rogers on parallelism of cleavage and axes of. + -sedimentary deposits exceptionally preserved during. + -subsidence and. + -vulcanicity and. + + Elodea canadensis, successful American immigrant. + + Emberiza longicauda, long tail-feathers and Sexual Selection. + + Embryology, argument for. + -succession of changes in animal-. + -Darwin's explanation of. + -of flowers. + -of Peneus. + -Balfour's work on comparative. + + Embryonic stages, obliteration of. + + Endlicher's "Genera Plantarum." + + Engelmann, on variability of introduced plants in N. America. + + England, former union with Continent. + -men of science of Continent and. + + Entada scandens, dispersal of seeds. + + Entomologists, evolutionary views of. + + "Entstehung und Begriff der naturhistorischen Art," Nageli's Essay. + -Darwin on. + + Environment, and colour protection. + + Eocene, Anoplotherium in S. America. + -monkeys. + -mammals. + -co-existence with recent shells. + + Eozoon, illustrating difficulty of distinguishing organic and inorganic + bodies. + + Ephemera dimidiatum, Lord Avebury on. + + Epidendreae, closely related to Malaxeae. + + Epidendrum, Cruger on fertilisation of. + -self-fertilisation of. + + Epiontology, De Candolle's term. + + Epipactis, fertilisation mechanism. + -F. Muller on. + -pollinia of. + -E. palustris, fertilisation mechanism. + + Epithecia, fertilisation mechanism. + + Equatorial refrigeration. + + Equus, Marsh's work on. + -geographical distribution. + -in N. and S. America. + + Erica tetralix, Darwin on. + + Erigeron canadense, successful immigrant from America. + + Erodium cicutarium, introduced from Spain to America. + -range in U.S.A. + + Erratic blocks, in Azores. + -in S. America. + -Darwin on transport. + -of Jura. + -Mackintosh on. + -on Moel Tryfan. + + Errera, Prof. L., letter to. + -and S. Gevaert, on cross and self-fertilisation. + + Eruptions, parallelism of lines of, with coast-lines. + + Eryngium maritimum, bloom on. + + Erythrina, MacArthur on. + -of New S. Wales. + -sleep movements of. + + Erythroxylon, dimorphism of sub-genus of. + + Eschscholtzia, crossing and self-fertility. + -Darwin's experiments on self-sterility. + -F. Muller's experiments in crossing. + + Eschricht, on lanugo on human embryo. + + Escombe, F., on vitality of seeds. + -see Brown, H.T. + + Esquimaux, Natural Selection and. + + "Essays and Reviews," attitude of laymen towards. + + Eternity, Gapitche on. + + Etheridge, Robert, F.R.S.: President of Geological Society in 1880-81. + + Etna, Sir Charles Lyell's work on. + -map of. + + Eucalyptus, species setting seed. + -mentioned. + + Euonymus europaeus, dispersal of seeds. + + Euphorbia, Darwin on roots of. + -E. peplis, bloom on. + + Euphrasia, parasitism of. + + Europe, movement of. + + Eurybia argophylla, musk-tree of Tasmania, an arborescent Composite. + + Evergreen vegetation, connection with humid and equable climate. + + Evolution, Darwin's early views. + -Fossil Cephalopods used by Hyatt as test of. + -Huxley's lectures on. + -of mental traits. + -F. Muller's contributions to. + -Nageli's Essay, "Entstehung und Begriff der Naturhistorischen Art." + -Palaeontology as illustrating. + -Romanes' lecture on. + -Saporta's belief in. + -unknown law of. + -of Angiosperms. + -of colour. + -and death. + -Heer opposed to. + -of language. + -Lyell's views (see also Lyell). + -Turner on man and. + -Wallace on. + + Ewart, Prof. C., on Telegony. + + Exacum, dimorphism of. + + Experiments, botanical. + -Tegetmeier's on pigeons. + -time expended on. + + Expression, queries on. + -Bell on anatomy of. + -Darwin at work on. + + "Expression of the Emotions," Wallace's review. + + External conditions, Natural Selection and. + -See also Direct Action. + + Extinction, behaviour of species verging towards. + -contingencies concerned in. + -Hooker on. + -races of man and. + -Proboscidea verging towards. + -St. Helena and examples of. + + Eyebrows, use of. + + Eyes, behaviour during meditation. + -contraction in blind people of muscles of. + -children's habit of rubbing with knuckles. + -gorged with blood during screaming. + -contraction of iris. + -wrinkling of children's. + + Fabre, J.H.: is best known for his "Souvenirs Entomologiques," in No. + VI. of which he gives a wonderfully vivid account of his hardy and + primitive life as a boy, and of his early struggles after a life of + culture. + -letters to. + + "Facts and Arguments for Darwin," translation of F. Muller's "Fur + Darwin." + -delay in publication. + -sale. + -unfavourable review in "Athenaeum." + + Fairy rings, Darwin compares with fungoid diseases in man and animals. + + Falconer, Hugh (1809-65): was a student at the Universities of Aberdeen and + Edinburgh, and went out to India in 1830 as Assistant-Surgeon on the Bengal + Establishment. In 1832 he succeeded Dr. Royle as the Superintendent of the + Botanic Gardens at Saharunpur; and in 1848, after spending some years in + England, he was appointed Superintendent of the Calcutta Botanical Garden + and Professor of Botany in the Medical College. Although Falconer held an + important botanical post for many years, he is chiefly known as a + Palaeozoologist. He seems, however, to have had a share in introducing + Cinchona into India. His discovery, in company with Colonel Sir Proby T. + Cautley, of Miocene Mammalia in the Siwalik Hills, was at the time perhaps + the greatest "find" which had been made. The fossils of the Siwalik Hills + formed the subject of Falconer's most important book, "Fauna Antiqua + Sivalensis," which, however, remained unfinished at the time of his death. + Falconer also devoted himself to the investigation of the cave-fauna of + England, and contributed important papers on fossils found in Sicily, + Malta, and elsewhere. Dr. Falconer was a Vice-President of the Royal + Society and Foreign Secretary of the Geological Society. "Falconer did + enough during his lifetime to render his name as a palaeontologist immortal + in science; but the work which he published was only a fraction of what he + accomplished...He was cautious to a fault; he always feared to commit + himself to an opinion until he was sure he was right, and he died in the + prime of his life and in the fulness of his power." (Biographical sketch + contributed by Charles Murchison to his edition of Hugh Falconer's + "Palaeontological Memoirs and Notes," London, 1868; "Proc. R. Soc." Volume + XV., page xiv., 1867: "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXI., page xlv, + 1865.) Hugh Falconer was among those who did not fully accept the views + expressed in the "Origin of Species," but he could differ from Darwin + without any bitterness. Two years before the book was published, Darwin + wrote to Asa Gray: "The last time I saw my dear old friend Falconer he + attacked me most vigorously, but quite kindly, and told me, 'You will do + more harm than any ten naturalists will do good. I can see that you have + already corrupted and half spoiled Hooker.'" ("Life and Letters," II., + page 121.) The affectionate regard which Darwin felt for Falconer was + shared by their common friend Hooker. The following extract of a letter + from Hooker to Darwin (February 3rd, 1865) shows clearly the strong + friendships which Falconer inspired: "Poor old Falconer! how my mind runs + back to those happiest of all our days that I used to spend at Down twenty + years ago—when I left your home with my heart in my mouth like a + schoolboy. We last heard he was ill on Wednesday or Thursday, and sent + daily to enquire, but the report was so good on Saturday that we sent no + more, and on Monday night he died...What a mountainous mass of admirable + and accurate information dies with our dear old friend! I shall miss him + greatly, not only personally, but as a scientific man of unflinching and + uncompromising integrity—and of great weight in Murchisonian and other + counsels where ballast is sadly needed." + -article in "Natural History Review." + -Darwin's Copley medal and. + -Darwin's criticism of his elephant work. + -Darwin's regard for. + -Forbes attacked by. + -his opinion of Forbes. + -goes to India. + -Hooker's regard for. + -letter to Darwin. + -letter to Sharpey. + -letters to. + -letter to "Athenaeum." + -Lyell and. + -on Mastodon andium. + -on Mastodon of Australia. + -on elephants. + -Owen and. + -on phyllotaxis. + -on Plagiaulax. + -speech at Cambridge. + -"Memoirs." + + Falkland Islands, Darwin visits. + -Polyborus sp. in. + -brightly coloured female hawk. + -effect of subsidence. + -streams of stones. + + Fanciers, use made of Selection by. + + Fantails, see Pigeons. + + Faraday, memorial to. + + Faramea, dimorphism. + + Farmer, Prof. J.B., and S.E. Chandler, on influence of excess of CO2 on + anatomy of plants. + + Faroe Islands, Polygala vulgaris of. + + Farrer, Canon, lecture on defects in Public School Education. + -letter to. + + Farrer, Lady. + + Farrer, Thomas Henry, Lord (1819-99): was educated at Eton and Balliol + College, Oxford. He was called to the Bar, but gave up practice for the + public service, where he became Permanent Secretary of the Board of Trade. + According to the "Times," October 13th, 1899, "for nearly forty years he + was synonymous with the Board in the opinion of all who were brought into + close relation with it." He was made a baronet in 1883; he retired from + his post a few years later, and was raised to the peerage in 1893. His + friendship with Mr. Darwin was of many years' standing, and opportunities + of meeting were more frequent in the last ten years of Mr. Darwin's life, + owing to Lord Farrer's marriage with Miss Wedgwood, a niece of Mrs. + Darwin's, and the subsequent marriage of his son Horace with Miss Farrer. + His keen love of science is attested by the letters given in the present + volume. He published several excellent papers on the fertilisation of + flowers in the "Ann. and Mag. of Natural History," and in "Nature," between + 1868 and 1874. + In Politics he was a Radical—a strong supporter of free trade: on this + last subject, as well as on bimetallism, he was frequently engaged in + public controversy. He loyally carried out many changes in the legislature + which, as an individualist, he would in his private capacity have + strenuously opposed. + In the "Speaker," October 21st, 1899, Lord Welby heads his article on Lord + Farrer with a few words of personal appreciation:— + "In Lord Farrer has passed away a most interesting personality. A great + civil servant; in his later years a public man of courage and lofty ideal; + in private life a staunch friend, abounding as a companion in humour and + ripe knowledge. Age had not dimmed the geniality of his disposition, or an + intellect lively and eager as that of a boy—lovable above all in the + transparent simplicity of his character." + -interest in Torbitt's potato experiment. + -letters to. + -on earthworms. + -observations on fertilisation of Passiflora. + -recollections of Darwin. + -seeds sent to. + + Fawcett, Henry (1833-84): Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge, + 1863, Postmaster-General 1880-84. See Leslie Stephen's well-known "Life." + -defends Darwin's arguments. + -letter to. + -letter to Darwin. + + Fear, expression of. + + Felis, range. + + Fellowships, discussion on abolition of Prize-. + + Felspar, segregation of. + + Females, modification for protection. + + "Fenland, Past and Present," by Miller and Skertchley. + + Fergusson on Darwinism. + + Fernando Po, plants of. + + Ferns, Scott on spores. + -Darwin's ignorance of. + -variability "passes all bounds." + + Ferrier, Dr., groundless charge brought against, for infringement of + Vivisection Act. + + Fertilisation, articles in "Gardeners' Chronicle." + -of flowers. + -H. Muller's work on. + -and sterility. + -Darwin fascinated by study of. + -different mechanisms in same genus. + -travelling of reproductive cells in. + + Fertilisation of orchids, Darwin's work on. + -paper by Darwin in "Gardeners' Chronicle" on. + + "Fertilisation of Orchids," Asa Gray's review. + -Hooker's review. + -description of Acropera and Catasetum in. + -H. Muller's "Befruchtung der Blumen," the outcome of Darwin's. + + Fertility, Natural Selection and. + -and sterility. + -Primula. + -Scott on varieties and relative. + + Festuca. + + Figs, F. Muller on fertilisation of. + + Finmark, Bravais on sea-beaches of. + + Fir (Silver), Witches' brooms of. + + "First Principles," Spencer's. + + Fish, Pictet and Humbert on fossil. + + Fiske, J., letter to. + + Fissure-eruptions. + + Fitton, reference to his work. + + FitzRoy (Fitz-Roy), Captain, and the "Beagle" voyage. + -writes preface to account of the voyage. + -Darwin nearly rejected by. + -letter to "Times." + + Flagellaria, as a climber. + + Flahault, on the peg in Cucurbita. + + Fleeming Jenkin, review of "Origin" by, see Jenkin. + + Flinders, M., voyage to Terra Australis by. + + Flint implements found near Bedford. + + Flints, abundance and derivation of, at Down. + -Darwin on their upright position in gravel. + + Floating ice, Darwin on agency of. + -J. Geikie underestimates its importance. + -transporting power of. + + Flora, Darwin's idea of an Utopian. + -Hooker's scheme for a. + -Hooker's work on Tasmanian. + + "Flora antarctica," Hooker's. + + "Flora fossilis arctica," Heer's. + + Floras: + N. American. + Arctic. + British. + Colonial. + European. + French. + Greenland. + Holland. + India. + Japan. + New Zealand. + -distribution of. + -of islands. + -local. + -tabulation of. + + Florida, A. Agassiz on Coral reefs. + -Coral reefs. + + Flourens, experiments on pigeons. + + Flower, Sir William H., Letter to. + -on muscles of the os coccyx. + + Flowering plants, possible origin on a Southern Continent. + -sudden appearance of. + + Flowers, at Down. + -Darwin's work on forms of. + -monstrous. + -morphological characters. + -regular and irregular. + -cross-fertilisation in inconspicuous. + -ignorance of botanists on mechanism of. + + "Flowers and their unbidden Guests," Dr. Ogle's translation of Kerner's + "Schutzmittel des Pollens." + + Flying machine, Darwin on Popper's proposed. + + Folding of strata. + + Foliation and cleavage, reference by A. Harker to work on. + + Foliation, aqueous deposition and. + -Darwin considers his observations on cleavage less deserving of + confidence than those on. + -Darwin on. + -parallelism with cleavage. + -relation to rock-curvature. + + Food, as determining number of species. + + Foraminifera. + + Forbes, D., on the Cordilleras. + -on elevation in Chili. + -on nitrate of soda beds in S. America. + + Forbes, Edward, F.R.S. (1815-1854): filled the office of Palaeontologist to + the Ordnance Geological Survey, and afterwards became President of the + Geological Society; in 1854—the last year of his life—he was appointed to + the chair of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh. Forbes + published many papers on geological, zoological, and botanical subjects, + one of his most remarkable contributions being the well-known essay "On the + Connexion between the Distribution of the Existing Fauna and Flora of the + British Isles and the Geological Changes which have affected their area" + ("Mem. Geol. Surv." Volume I., page 336, 1846). (See "Proc. Roy. Soc." + Volume VII., page 263, 1856; "Quart. Journl. Geol. Soc." Volume XI., page + xxvii, 1855, and "Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist." Volume XV., 1855. + -on flora of Azores. + -on Chambers as author of the "Vestiges." + -on continental extension. + -Darwin opposed to his views on continental extension. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -Article on distribution. + -on continuity of land. + -on plant-distribution. + -introductory lecture as professor in Edinburgh. + -on former lower extension of glaciers in Cordillera. + -lecture by. + -letter to Darwin from. + -on Madagascar insects. + -on post-Miocene land. + -Polarity theory. + -on British shells. + -too speculative. + -on subsidence. + -visits Down. + -mentioned. + -royal medal awarded to. + -essay on connection between distribution of existing fauna and flora of + the British Isles and geological changes. + + Forbes, H.O., on Melastoma. + + Force and Matter, Huxley on. + + Forel, Auguste: the distinguished author of "Les Fourmis de la Suisse," + Zurich, 1874, and of a long series of well-known papers. + -on ants and beetles. + -author of "Les Fourmis de la Suisse." + -letter to. + + Forfarshire, Lyell on glaciers of. + + "Forms of Flowers," De Candolle's criticism of Darwin's. + homomorphic and heteromorphic unions described in. + + Forsyth-Major, zoological expedition to Madagascar. + + "Fortnightly Review," Huxley's article on Positivism. + Romanes on Evolution. + + Fossil Cephalopods, Hyatt on. + + Fossil corals. + + Fossil plants, small proportion of. + of Australia. + sudden appearance of Angiosperms indicated by. + + Fossil seeds, supposed vivification of. + + Fossils as evidence of variability. + + Fournier, E., De la Fecundation dans les Phanerogames. + + Fowls, difference in sexes. + -purred female. + + Fox, tails of, used by Esquimaux as respirators. + + Fox, Rev. W. Darwin. + + Foxglove, use of hairs in flower. + + France, edition of "Origin" in. + -opinion favourable to Darwin's views in. + -birth-rate. + + Franco-Prussian war, opinion in England. + -Science retarded by. + + Frank, Albert Bernhard (1839-1900): began his botanical career as + Curator of the University Herbarium, Leipzig, where he afterwards became + Privatdocent and finally "Ausserordentlicher Professor." In 1881 Frank + was appointed Professor of Plant-Physiology in the Landwirthschaftliche + Hochschule, Berlin. In 1899 he was appointed to the Imperial + Gesundheits-Amt in Berlin, and raised to the rank of Regierungsrath. + Frank is chiefly known for his work on "The Assimilation of Free + Nitrogen, etc.," and for his work on "The Diseases of Plants" ("Die + Krankheiten der Pflanzen," 1880). It was his brilliant researches on + growth-curvature ("Beitrage zur Pflanzen-physiologie," 1868, and "Die + Naturlichen wagerechte Richtung von Pflanzen-theilen," 1870) which + excited Darwin's admiration. + -Darwin's admiration for his work. + + Franklin, Sir J., search expedition. + + Fraser, G., letter to. + + "Fraser's Magazine," article by Hopkins. + -article by Galton on twins. + -Huxley on review in. + + Freemasons' Tavern, meeting held at. + + Freewill, a preordained necessity. + + Freke, Dr., paper by. + + Freshwater, Bee-orchis at. + + Freshwater fauna, ocean faunas compared with. + -poverty of. + -preservation of. + + Friendly Islands, rats regarded as game. + + Fringillidae, colour and sexual selection. + + Frogs, article on spawn of. + -F. Muller on. + -salt water and spawn of. + -frozen in glaciers. + + Fruits, bright colours of. + + Fucus, variation in. + + Fuegia, plants of, (see also Tierra del Fuego). + + Fumaria (Corydalis) claviculata, Mohl on tendrils. + + Fumariaceae, cross- and self-fertilisation. + -morphology of tendrils. + + Funafuti, Darwin's theory supported by results of boring in coral island + of. + + Fungoid diseases, Darwin on. + + Fungus, effect on roots and shoots. + + "Fur Darwin," F. Muller's (see "Facts and Arguments for Darwin). + -Darwin quotes. + -Hooker's opinion of. + -publication of. + + Furze, seeds and seedlings. + + Galapagos Islands, visited during the "Beagle" voyage. + -birds of. + -character of species of, the beginning of Darwin's evolutionary views. + -distribution of animals. + -distribution of plants. + -flora of. + -Hooker on plants of. + -insects. + -craters. + -fissure eruptions in. + -restricted fauna. + -Sandwich Islands and. + -subsidence in the. + + Galashiels, terraces near. + + Galaxias, distribution of. + + Gallinaceae, Blyth on. + -colour of. + + Galls, artificial production of. + -Cynips and. + -hybrids and. + -Walsh on willow-. + + Gallus bankiva, colour of wings. + -colour and environment. + -wings of. + + Galton, F., experiments on transfusion of blood. + -letters to. + -letter to Darwin from. + -on twins. + -on variation. + -on heredity. + -on human faculty and its development. + -on prayer. + -proposal to issue health certificates for marriage. + + Game-cock and Sexual Selection. + + Gamlingay, lilies-of-the-valley at. + + Ganoid fishes, preservation in fresh water. + + Gapitche, A., letter to. + + "Gardeners' Chronicle," Darwin's article on fertilisation. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -Darwin's experiment on immersion of seeds in salt water. + -article on Orchids. + -Harvey on Darwin. + -Rivers' articles. + -Wallace on nests. + -Darwin's index. + + Gardner, G., "Travels in the Interior of Brazil." + + Gartner, on Aquilegia. + -experiments on crossing and variation. + -on Primula. + -on Verbascum. + -Darwin's high opinion of his "Bastarderzeugung." + -Beaton's criticism of. + -on self-fertilisation in flowers. + -mentioned. + + Gaskell, G.A., Letter to. + + Gatke, on "Heligoland as an Ornithological Observatory." + + Gaudry, Albert: Professor of Palaeontology in the Natural History + Museum, Paris, Foreign Member of the Royal Society of London, author of + "Animaux Foss. et Geol. de l'Attique." + -letter to. + -on Pikermi fossils. + + Gay, on lizards. + + Gazania. + + Gegenbauer, Karl: Professor of Anatomy at Heidelberg. + -as convert to Darwinism. + -views on regeneration. + + Geikie, Sir A., on age of the Earth. + -edition of "Hutton's Theory of the Earth." + -memoir of Sir A.C. Ramsay. + + Geikie, Prof. J., "Ice Age." + -on intercrossing of erratics. + -Letters to. + -"Prehistoric Europe." + -Presidential address, Edinburgh British Association meeting. + + Geitonogamy, Kerner suggests term. + + Gemmation and dimorphism. + + Gemmules, in reproductive organs. + -and bud-variation. + + Genealogy and classification. + + Genera, aberrant. + -range of large and small. + -variation of. + -Wallace on origin of. + + "Genera Plantarum," work on the. + + Generalisations, evil of. + -easier than careful observation. + -importance. + + "Generelle Morphologie," Darwin on Hackel's. + + "Genesis of Species," Mivart's + + Geographical distribution, L. Agassiz on. + -Darwin on. + -Darwin's high opinion of value of. + -Darwin's interest in. + -E. Forbes on. + -Huxley on birds and. + -proposed work by Hooker on. + -relation of genera an important element in. + -Humboldt the founder of. + + "Geographical Distribution of Animals," Darwin's criticism of Wallace's. + + "Geographical Distribution of Mammals," A. Murray's. + + Geographical regions, Darwin on. + + Geological Committee on the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + + "Geological Gossip," Ansted's. + + "Geological Instructions," Darwin's manual of. + + "Geological Observations in S. America," Darwin's. + -Darwin on his. + + Geological record, imperfection of the. + -Morse on the. + + Geological Society, award of medal to Darwin. + -Darwin signs Hooker's certificate. + -museum of. + -Darwin attends Council meeting. + + Geological Survey, foundation of. + -investigation of the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + + Geological Time, article in "N. British Review." + + Geologist, Darwin as. + + Geologists, evolutionary views of. + + Geology, arguments in favour of evolution from. + -chapter in "Origin" on. + -practical teaching of. + -English work in. + -Hooker talks of giving up. + -Lyellian school. + -progress of. + + Geotropism, Darwin on. + + German, Darwin's slight knowledge of. + + Germany, converts to evolution in. + -opinion on the "Origin" in. + -Englishmen rejoice over victory of. + + Germination of seeds, Darwin's experiments on effect of salt water. + + "Germs and Vestiges of Disease," Dobell's. + + Gesneria, Darwin on dimorphism of. + + Gestation of hounds. + + Gibraltar, elevation and subsidence of. + + Gilbert, Sir J.H.: of Rothamsted. + -letter to. + -on nitrogen in worms' casting. + -and Sir J. Lawes, Rothamsted experiments. + + Glacial period, absence of phanerogams near polar regions in N. America + during. + -Bates on. + -climatic changes since. + -conditions during. + -continental changes since. + -Darwin's views on geographical changes as cause of. + -destruction of organisms during. + -destruction of Spanish plants in Ireland. + -distribution of organisms affected by. + -duration of. + -effect on animals and plants. + -and elephants. + -S.E. England dry land during. + -Greenland depopulated during. + -introduction of Old World forms into New World subsequent to. + -migration during. + -mundane character of. + -subsidence of Alps during. + -Croll on. + -existence of Alpine plants before. + -Hooker on. + -Glen Roy and. + -Lyell on. + -extinction of mammals during. + -Wallace on. + -movement of Europe since and during. + + Glaciers, Agassiz on. + -Lyell on. + -Tyndall's book on. + -as agents in the formation of lakes. + -Darwin on structure of. + -Hooker on Yorkshire. + -Moseley on motion of. + -physics of. + -Parallel Roads of Glen Roy formed by. + -rock-cavities formed by cascades in. + -in S. America. + -in Wales. + + Gladstone, Herbert Spencer on criticisms by. + + Glass, Dr., on grafting sugar-canes. + + Glen Collarig, absence of terminal moraines. + -terraces in. + + Glen Glaster, absence of terminal moraines. + -barriers of detritus. + -Milne on. + -shelves of. + + Glen Gluoy, shelves of. + + Glen Roy, Parallel Roads of. + -L. Agassiz on. + -Darwin on. + -Darwin's mistake over. + -Darwin on ice-lake theory of Agassiz and Buckland. + -glacier theory of. + -history of work on. + -Hooker on. + -marine theory of. + -Milne-Home's paper on. + -investigated by Geological Survey. + -coincidence of shelves with watersheds. + -measurement of terraces. + + Glen Spean. + + Glen Turret, MacCulloch on. + + Gloriosa, Darwin's experiments on leaf-tendrils. + + Glossotherium Listai. + + Gloxinia, peloric forms of. + + Gnaphalium. + + Gneiss, Darwin on. + + God, Darwin on existence of personal. + + Godron, on Aegilops. + + Godron's "Flora of France." + + Goethe, Darwin's reference to. + -Owen on. + + Goldfinch, difference in beaks of male and female. + + Gongora, and Acropera. + -Darwin on. + -G. fusca (see Acropera luteola). + -G. galeata (see A. Loddigesii). + + Gondwana Land. + + Goodenia, Hamilton on fertilisation of. + + Goodeniaceae. + + Gordon, General, Huxley on Darwin and. + + Gosse, E., "Life of P.H. Gosse" by. + + Gosse, Philip Henry (1810-88): was an example of that almost extinct type— + a naturalist with a wide knowledge gained at first hand from nature as a + whole. This width of culture was combined with a severe and narrow + religious creed, and though, as Edmund Gosse points out, there was in his + father's case no reconcilement of science and religion, since his + "impressions of nature" had to give way absolutely to his "convictions of + religion," yet he was not debarred by his views from a friendly intercourse + with Darwin. He did much to spread a love of Natural History, more + especially by his seaside books, and by his introduction of the aquarium— + the popularity of which (as Mr. Edmund Gosse shows) is reflected in the + pages of "Punch," especially in John Leech's illustrations. Kingsley said + of him (quoted by Edmund Gosse, page 344) "Since White's "History of + Selborne" few or no writers on Natural History, save Mr. Gosse and poor Mr. + Edward Forbes, have had the power of bringing out the human side of + science, and giving to seemingly dry disquisitions...that living and + personal interest, to bestow which is generally the special function of the + poet." Among his books are the "Naturalist's Sojourn in Jamaica," 1851; "A + Naturalist's Rambles on the Devonshire Coast," 1853; "Omphalos," 1857; "A + Year at the Shore," 1865. He was also author of a long series of papers in + scientific journals. + -letter to. + + Gould, on sex in nightingales. + + Gower Street, Darwin's house in. + + Gradation in plants. + + Graft-hybrids, experiments on. + -of Cytisus. + -Hildebrand on. + -of potatoes. + -of sugar-canes. + + Grafting, Darwin on. + -difficulty of. + -in hyacinth bulbs. + + Graham's "Creed of Science." + + Gramineae, Darwin on crossing. + + Granite, explanation of association with basalt. + + Grasses, range of genera. + -cleistogamous. + -fertilisation of. + -F. Muller on Brazilian. + + Gratiolet, on behaviour of eyes in rage. + + Gravity, comparison between variation and laws of. + + Gray, Asa (1810-88): was born in the township of Paris, Oneida Co., New + York. He became interested in science when a student at the Fairfield + Academy; he took his doctor's degree in 1831, but instead of pursuing + medical work he accepted the post of Instructor in Chemistry, Mineralogy, + and Botany in the High School of Utica. Gray afterwards became assistant + to Professor Torrey in the New York Medical School, and in 1835 he was + appointed Curator and Librarian of the New York Lyceum of Natural History. + From 1842 to 1872 he occupied the Chair of Natural History in Harvard + College, and the post of Director of the Cambridge Botanical Gardens; from + 1872 till the time of his death he was relieved of the duties of teaching + and of the active direction of the Gardens, but retained the Herbarium. + Professor Gray was a Foreign Member of the Linnean and of the Royal + Societies. The "Flora of North America" (of which the first parts appeared + in 1838), "Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States, the Botany + of Commodore Wilkes' South Pacific Exploring Expedition" are among the most + important of Gray's systematic memoirs; in addition to these he wrote + several botanical text-books and a great number of papers of first-class + importance. In an obituary notice written by Sir Joseph Hooker, Asa Gray + is described as "one of the first to accept and defend the doctrine of + Natural Selection..., so that Darwin, whilst fully recognising the + different standpoints from which he and Gray took their departures, and + their divergence of opinion on important points, nevertheless regarded him + as the naturalist who had most thoroughly gauged the "Origin of Species," + and as a tower of strength to himself and his cause" ("Proc. R. Soc." + Volume XLVI., page xv, 1890: "Letters of Asa Gray," edited by Jane Loring + Gray, 2 volumes, Boston, U.S., 1893). + -articles by. + -as advocate of Darwin's views. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -on Hooker's Antarctic paper. + -on large genera varying. + -letters to Darwin from. + -letters to. + -on Darwin's views. + -plants of the Northern States. + -on variation. + -book for children by. + -on crossing. + -visits Down. + -on dimorphism. + -on Agassiz. + -extract from letter to G.F. Wright from. + -on fertilisation of Cypripedium. + -on Gymnadenia tridentata. + -on Habenaria. + -on Passiflora. + -on relative ranges of U. States and European species. + -on Sarracenia. + -mentioned. + + Gray, Mrs. + + Gray, Dr. John Edward, F.R.S. (1800-75): became an assistant to the + Natural History Department of the British Museum in 1824, and was + appointed Keeper in 1840. Dr. Gray published a great mass of zoological + work, and devoted himself "with unflagging energy to the development of + the collections under his charge." ("Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist." Volume XV., + page 281, 1875.) + -and British Museum. + + Greatest Happiness principle. + + Grebes, as seed-eaters. + + Greenland, absence of Arctic Leguminosae. + -connection with Norway. + -flora of. + -introduction of plants by currents. + -as line of communication of alpine plants. + -migration of European birds to. + + Greg, W.R.: Author of "The Enigmas of Life," 1872. + -Darwin on his "Enigmas of Life." + -letter to. + + Grey, Sir G., on Australian Savages. + + Grinnell expedition, reference to the second. + + Grisebach, A. + + Grisebach, A.W. + + Grossulariaceae. + + Grouse, Natural Selection and colours of. + -Owen describes as distinct creation. + + Grypotherium Darwini. + -G. domesticum. + + Guiana, Bates on. + + Gulf-weed, Darwin on. + + Gully Dr. + + Gunther, Dr., visit to Down. + + Gurney, E., articles in "Fortnightly" and "Cornhill." + -"Power of Sound." + + Gymnadenia, course of vessels in flower of. + -Asa Gray on. + -penetration by pollen of rostellum. + + Gynodioecism in Plantago. + + Haast, Sir Julius von, (1824-87): published several papers on the + Geology of New Zealand, with special reference to glacial phenomena. + ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXI., pages 130, 133, 1865; Volume + XXIII., page 342, 1867.) + -on glacial deposits. + + Habenaria, Azorean species (see also Peristylus viridis). + -course of vessels in flower. + -Lord Farrer on. + -morphology of flower. + -H. bifolia, flowers. + -a subspecies of H. chlorantha. + -H. chlorantha, considered by Bentham a var. of H. bifolia. + -structure of ovary. + + Hackel, E., convert to Darwin's views. + -"Generelle Morphologie." + -Die Kalkschwamme. + -"Freedom in Science and Teaching." + -letters to. + -on pangenesis. + -proposed translation of his book. + -on reviews of "Origin" in Germany. + -on sponges. + -substitutes a molecular hypothesis for pangenesis. + -visits Down. + -on absence of colour-protection in lower animals. + -on change of species. + -on Linope. + -on medusae. + + Haematoxylon, bloom-experiments on. + -sleep-movements. + + Halictus, Fabre's paper on. + + Halimeda, Darwin's description of. + + Halleria, woody nature of. + + Hallett, on varieties of wheat. + + Hamilton, on fertilisation of Dampiera. + + Hamilton, Sir W., on Law of Parsimony. + + Hancock, Albany (1806-73): author of many zoological and palaeontological + papers. His best-known work, written in conjunction with Joshua Alder, and + published by the Ray Society is on the British Nudibranchiate Mollusca. + The Royal Medal was awarded to him in 1858. + -on British shells. + -and Royal medal. + + Hanley, Dr., Darwin's visit to. + + Harker, A., note on Darwin's work on cleavage and foliation. + + Hartman, Dr., on Cicada septendecim. + + "Harvesting Ants and Trap-door Spiders," Moggridge's. + + Harvey, William Henry (1811-66): was the author of several botanical + works, principally on Algae; he held the botanical Professorship at + Trinity College, Dublin, and in 1857 succeeded Professor Allman in the + Chair of Botany in Dublin University. (See "Life and Letters," II., + pages 274-75.) + -criticism of "Origin." + -Darwin's opinion of his book. + -letter to. + -mentioned. + -on variation in Fucus. + + Haughton, Samuel (1821-97): author of "Animal Mechanics, a Manual of + Geology," and numerous papers on Physics, Mathematics, Geology, etc. In + November 1862 Darwin wrote to Sir J.D. Hooker: "Do you know whether + there are two Rev. Prof. Haughtons at Dublin? One of this name has made + a splendid medical discovery of nicotine counteracting strychnine and + tetanus? Can it be my dear friend? If so, he is at full liberty for + the future to sneer {at} and abuse me to his heart's content." + Unfortunately, Prof. Haughtons' discovery has not proved of more + permanent value than his criticism on the "Origin of Species." + -on Bees' cells. + -on depth of ocean. + -review by. + -mentioned. + + Hawaiian Islands, Hillebrand's Flora. + -plants. + + Hawks and owls as agents in seed-dispersal. + -bright colours in female. + + Head, expression in movement of. + + Hearne, on black bear. + + Heat, action on rocks. + + Heathcote, Miss. + + Heaths, as examples of boreal plants in Azores. + -and climate. + + Heberden, Dr., mentioned. + + Hector. + + Hedgehog, movements of spines. + + Hedychium, Darwin's prediction as to fertilisation of. + -paraheliotropism. + + Hedyotis, dimorphism of. + + Hedysarum, Darwin's experiments on (see Desmodium gyrans). + + Heer, Oswald (1809-83): was born at Niederutzwyl, in the Canton of St. + Gall, Switzerland, and for many years (1855-82) occupied the chair of + Botany in the University of Zurich. While eminent as an entomologist Heer + is chiefly known as a writer on Fossil Plants. He began to write on + palaeobotanical subjects in 1841; among his most important publications, + apart from the numerous papers contributed to scientific societies, the + following may be mentioned: "Flora Tertiaria Helvetiae," 1855-59; the + "Flora Fossilis Arctica," 7 volumes, 1869-83; "Die Urwelt der Schweiz," + 1865; "Flora Fossilis Helvetiae," 1876-7. He was awarded the Wollaston + medal of the Geological Society in 1874, and in 1878 he received a Royal + medal. (Oswald Heer, "Bibliographie et Tables Iconographiques," par G. + Malloizel, precede d'une Notice Biographique" par R. Zeiller; Stockholm.) + -on continental extension. + -on plants of Madeira. + -on origin of species from monstrosities. + -Darwin sends photograph to. + -"Flora fossilis arctica." + -letter to. + + Heeria (see also Heterocentron). + -F. Muller on. + + Heifers, and sterility. + + Helianthemum, Baillon's observations on pollen. + + Heligoland, birds alight on sea near. + + Heliotropism, experiments on. + -of roots. + + Hemsley, W.B., mentioned. + + Hennessey. + + Henry, I.A. (see Anderson-Henry) + -letter to. + + Henslow, Prof. J.S., life of. + -Darwin's affection for. + -Darwin's Cambridge recollections of. + -death of. + -letters to. + -mentioned. + -on Mus messorius. + -visits Down. + -Darwin on his parish work. + -work on crossing. + + Henslow, Miss, mentioned. + + Herbaceous orders, in relation to trees. + + Herbert, Dean, on heaths of S. Africa. + -on Polygala. + -on Cytisus Adami. + -on self-fertility of Hippeastrum. + -mentioned. + + "Hereditary Genius," Francis Galton's. + + Hereditary Improvement, Francis Galton on. + + Heredity, Darwin's criticism of Galton's theory. + + Hermaphroditism, in trees. + -Weir on Lepidoptera and. + -and nature of generative organs. + + Herminium monorchis. + + Heron, Sir R., on peacocks and colour. + + Herons, as fruit-feeders. + + Herschel, Sir J.F.W., edits "Manual of Scientific Enquiry." + -on Natural Selection. + -on the "Origin." + -"Physical Geography." + -on providential laws. + -on heating of rocks. + -on importance of generalising. + -on study of languages. + -versus Lyell on volcanic islands. + -mentioned. + + Heteranthera, two kinds of stamens. + -H. reniformis. + + Heterocentron, experiments on. + -seeds of. + -two kinds of stamens. + -H. roseum, fertilisation mechanism of. + + Heterogeny, Owen on. + + Heteromorphic, use of term. + + Heterosmilax, de Candolle on. + + Heterostylism, Darwin's experiments on. + -example in monocotyledons of. + + Hewitt, on pheasant-hybrids. + -mentioned. + + Hibiscus. + + Hicks, H., on pre-Cambrian rocks. + + Hieracium, American species. + -Nageli on. + -variability of. + + Highness, lowness and. + + Hilaire, A. St., see St. Hilaire. + + Hildebrand, F., article in "Botanische Zeitung." + -experiments on direct action of pollen. + -"Die Lebensdauer der Pflanzen." + -letter to. + -crossing work by. + -on Delpino's work. + -on dispersal of seeds. + -self-sterility in Corydalis cava. + -"Geschlechter-Vertheilung bei den Pflanzen." + -on orchids. + -on ovules formed after pollination. + -experiment on potatoes. + -on Salvia. + -mentioned. + + Hilgendorf, controversy with Sandberger. + + Hillebrand's Flora of the Hawaiian Islands. + + "Himalayan Journals," dedicated by Hooker to Darwin. + + "Himalayan Plants, Illustrations of." + + Himalayas, British plants in. + -commingling of temperate and tropical plants. + -tortoise of. + -ice-action in. + -mixed character of the vegetation. + + Hinde, Dr., examination of Funafuti coral-reef cores by. + + Hindmarsh, L., letter to. + + Hippeastrum, Herbert on self-sterility of. + + Hippopotamus, fossil in Madagascar. + + Historic spirit, J. Morley's criticism of Darwin's lack of. + + Hitcham, collection of Azorean plants made near. + + Hobhouse, Sir A., Darwin meets. + + Hochberg, K., letter to. + + Hofmann, A.W., receives royal medal. + + Holland, evolutionary opinions in. + -flora of. + + Holland, Sir H., on pangenesis. + -mentioned. + -on influence of mind on circulation. + + Holly, effective work of insects in fertilisation of. + + Hollyhock, Darwin's crossing experiments. + + Holmsdale. + + Home, see Milne-Home. + + Homing experiments. + + Homo, Pithecus compared with. + + Homology, analogy and. + -course of vessels in flowers as guide to. + + Homomorphic, use of term. + + Honeysuckle, oak-leaved variety. + + Hooker, Mrs., assists Sir J.D. Hooker. + + Hooker, Sir J.D., addresses at British Association meetings. + -on Arctic plants. + -Australian Flora by. + -botanical appointment. + -C.B. conferred upon. + -on coal plants and conditions of growth. + -criticism on Lyell's work. + -on Darwin's MS. on geographical distribution. + -Darwin's admiration for letters of. + -Darwin assisted in his work by. + -Darwin on good gained by "squabbles" with. + -Darwin on success of. + -enjoyment of correspondence with Darwin. + -expedition to Syria. + -extract from letter to. + -Falconer and. + -first meeting with Darwin. + -on Insular Floras. + -introductory essay to Flora of Tasmania. + -lecture at Royal Institution. + -letters to. + -letters to Darwin from. + -on new colonial flora. + -on New Zealand flora. + -on Natural Selection. + -on naturalised plants. + -on the "Origin." + -and Owen. + -on pangenesis. + -on plants of Fernando Po and Abyssinia. + -on preservation of tropical plants during cool period. + -and reviews. + -royal medal awarded to. + -and J. Scott. + -on species. + -on Torbitt's potato experiments. + -on use of terms centripetal and centrifugal. + -on variation in large and small genera. + -on Welwitschia. + -on Cameroon plants. + -Darwin on his address at Belfast. + -Darwin writes testimonial for. + -Darwin values scientific opinion of. + -Darwin receives encouragement from. + -Darwin's pleasure at visits from. + -on Glacial period. + -on Glacial deposits in India. + -on glaciers in Yorkshire. + -notice in "Gardeners' Chronicle" on. + -photograph by Mrs. Cameron. + -Primer of Botany by. + -review of Darwin's "Fertilisation of Orchids." + -scheme for Flora. + -represents "whole great public" to Darwin. + -use of structure in plants. + -visits Down. + -opinion of "Fur Darwin." + -mentioned. + + Hooker, Sir William Jackson (1785-1865): was called to the Chair of Botany + at Glasgow in 1820, where by his success as a teacher he raised the annual + fees from 60 pounds to 700 pounds. In 1841 he became Director of the Royal + Botanic Gardens at Kew, which under his administration increased enormously + in activity and importance. His private Herbarium, said to be "by far the + richest ever accumulated in one man's lifetime," formed the nucleus of the + present collection. He produced, as author or editor, about a hundred + volumes devoted to Botany ("Dict. of Nat. Biog."). + -Herbarium at Kew belonging to. + -letters to. + -mentioned. + + Hopkins, William, F.R.S. (1793-1866) entered Peterhouse, Cambridge, at + the age of thirty, and in 1827 took his degree as seventh wrangler. For + some years Hopkins was very successful as a mathematical tutor; about + 1833 he began to take a keen interest in geological subjects, and + especially concerned himself with the effects of elevating forces acting + from below on the earth's crust. He was President of the Geological + Society in 1851 and 1852 ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXIII., page + xxix, 1867). + -Article in "Fraser's Magazine." + -on elevation and earthquakes. + -on mountain-building. + -researches in physical geology. + -mentioned. + + Horner, Leonard, F.R.S. (1785-1862): was born in Edinburgh, at the age + of twenty-one he settled in London, and devoted himself more + particularly to Geology and Mineralogy, returning a few years later to + Edinburgh, where he took a prominent part in founding the School of Art + and other educational institutions. In 1827 Mr. Horner was invited to + occupy the post of Warden in the London University,a position which he + resigned in 1831; he also held for some years an Inspectorship of + Factories. As a Fellow of the Royal Society, Mr. Horner "took an active + part in bringing about certain changes in the management of the Society, + which resulted in limiting to fifteen the number of new members to be + annually elected..." In 1846 Horner was elected President of the + Geological Society; and in 1860 he again presided over the Society, to + the interests of which he had long devoted himself. His contributions + to the Society include papers on Stratigraphical Geology, Mineralogy, + and other subjects.—"Memoirs of Leonard Horner," edited by his + daughter, Katherine M. Lyell (privately printed, 1890). + -letters to. + -memoirs of. + -address to Geological Society. + -on coal. + -on Darwin's "Geological Observations." + -visits Down. + -mentioned. + + Horner, Mrs. L. + + Horse, ancestry. + -Arab-Turk and English race-. + -hybrids between Quagga and. + -in N. and S. America. + -equality of sexes in race-. + + Horsfall, W., letter to. + + Hottonia, dimorphism of. + + Hounds, gestation of. + + Howard, L.O. + + Hoya carnosa, Darwin's work on. + + Humble-bees, as agents of fertilisation of orchids. + + Humboldt, Bates' description of tropical forests compared with that by. + -conversation with. + -on heath regions. + -on migration and double creation. + -"Personal Narrative." + -on violet of Teneriffe. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -on elevation and volcanic activity. + -mentioned. + + Humboldt and Webb, on Zones on Teneriffe. + + Hume, Darwin on Huxley's "Life" of. + + Humming-birds, agents of fertilisation. + + Hunger, expression by sheldrakes of. + + Husbands, resemblance between wives and. + + Hutton, Frederick Wollaston, F.R.S., formerly Curator of the Canterbury + Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand, author of "Darwinism and Lamarckism, Old + and New," London, 1899. + -letter to. + -review of "Origin." + + Hutton, James, (1726-97): author of "Theory of the Earth." + + Huxley, L., reference to his "Life of T.H. Huxley." + -information given by. + + Huxley, Prof. T.H., biographical note, Volume I. + -Article in "Annals and Magazine" in reply to Falconer. + -on Aphis. + -on automatism. + -catalogue of collections in Museum of Practical Geology. + -comparative anatomy by. + -on Comte. + -on Cuvier's classification. + -Darwin's value of his opinion. + -election to the Athenaeum. + -friendship with Darwin. + -on growth of Darwin's views. + -lectures at the Royal Institution. + -lectures on evolution by. + -lectures to working men. + -legacy and gift to. + -letters to. + -"Life of Hume." + -"Man's Place in Nature." + -marriage. + -misrepresented by Owen. + -founds "Natural History Review." + -obituary notice of Darwin. + -on the "Origin of Species." + -on Owen's archetype book. + -president of the British Association meeting at Liverpool (1870). + -on Priestley. + -quoted by Lord Kelvin as an unbeliever in spontaneous generation. + -reviews by. + -review of "Vestiges of Creation" by. + -on Sabine's address. + -on saltus. + -prefatory note to Hackel's "Freedom in Science and Teaching." + -address to Geological Society (1869). + -on classification of man. + -on contemporaneity. + -on Catasetum. + -on deep-sea soundings. + -legacy from A. Rich. + -on Lyell's "Principles." + -on use of term physiological species. + -on vivisection. + -and H.N. Martin, "Elementary Biology" by. + -mentioned. + + Huxley, Mrs. T.H., queries on expression sent by Darwin to. + -observations on child crying. + -mentioned. + + Hyacinth, experiment on bulbs. + + Hyatt, Alpheus (1838-1902): was a student under Louis Agassiz, to whose + Laboratory he returned after serving in the Civil War, and under whom he + began the researches on Fossil Cephalopods for which he is so widely known. + In 1867 he became one of the Curators of the Essex Institute of Salem, + Mass. In 1870 he was made Custodian, and in 1881 Curator of the Boston + Society of Natural History. He held professorial chairs in Boston + University and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and "was at + one time or another officially connected with the Museum of Comparative + Zoology and the United States Geological Survey." See Mr. S. Henshaw + ("Science," XV., page 300, February 1902), where a sketch of Mr. Hyatt's + estimable personal character is given. See also Prof. Dall in the "Popular + Science Monthly," February 1902. + -and Hilgendorf. + -letters to. + -letters to Darwin from. + -on tetrabranchiata. + + Hyatt and Cope, theories of. + + Hybridism, chapter in "Origin" on. + -Bentham's address on. + -treatment by Darwin in "Variation of Animals and Plants." + + Hybrids, and adaptation. + -Darwin's views on. + -evidence in favour of pangenesis from. + -experiments on. + -fertility of. + -intermediate character of. + -primrose and cowslip. + -article in "Quarterly Review" on. + -sterility of. + -Max Wichura on. + -Bronn on. + -F. Muller's work on. + -and heterostyled plants. + -rarity of natural. + -J. Scott's work on. + -tendency to reversion. + + Hydra, sexuality of. + + Hydropathy, Darwin and. + + Hydrozoa, alternation of generations in. + + Hymenoptera, affinities of. + -H. Muller on. + + Hypericum perforatum, a social plant in U.S.A. + + Hyracotherium cuniculus, Owen on. + + Iberis, mucus in seeds of. + + Ice, as agent in dispersal of boulders. + -agent in dispersal of plants. + -Forbes on transport by. + -agent in lake-formation. + -cleavage in. + -work of, a new factor in geology. + + Ice-action, on land and sea. + + Icebergs, as factor in explaining European plants in Azores. + -Croll on action of. + -Darwin on. + -evidence in S. America of. + -Hopkins on action of. + + Ice-cap, of Arctic regions. + + Iceland, importance of records of volcanic phenomena in. + + Ignorance, Darwin on immensity of man's. + + Ilkley, Darwin's visit to. + + Illegitimate offspring, need for repetition of Darwin's experiments on + plants'. + + Imatophyllum. + + Immortality, Darwin on. + + Immutability of species. + -Falconer disbelieves in. + -Darwin on. + + Imperfection of the Geological Record, see Geological Record. + + Impotence in plants. + -see also Self-sterility. + + India, British rule in. + -flora of. + -Hooker in. + -varieties of domestic animals in. + -H.F. Blanford on. + -Darwin on origin of lakes in. + -evidence of colder climate in. + -J. Scott accepts post in. + + Infants, Mrs. E Talbot on development of mind in. + -observations on ears of. + + Infusoria, possible occurrence in underclays of coal. + + Inglis, Sir R., Darwin at breakfast party. + + Inheritance, atavism and. + -conservative tendency of long. + -Hackel on. + -hypothesis on. + -Jager on. + -and Natural Selection. + -power of. + -J.C. Prichard on. + -and variability. + -Darwin on. + -Galton on. + + Insanity, concealment of. + + "Insect Life," Howard's. + + Insectivorous plants, Darwin's work on. + + Insects, alpine. + -Lord Avebury on. + -Bates on. + -fossil. + -luminous. + -of Madeira. + -F. Muller on metamorphosis of. + -Sharp's book on. + -study of habits more valuable than description of new species. + -wingless. + -Wollaston on. + -antiquity of stridulating organs in. + -colour and Sexual Selection. + -H. Muller's work on adaptation to fertilisation of flowers. + -metamorphosis of. + -music as attraction to. + -observation on fertilisation of flowers by. + -Ramsay on. + -Riley's work on. + -tropical climate and colours of. + + Instinct, Darwin and. + -in nest-making. + -selection of varying. + + Insular floras. + -Hooker's lecture on. + + Insular forms, in Galapagos, Canaries and Madeira. + -beaten by continental forms. + + Intelligence, meaning of. + -Romanes on Animal. + -in worms. + + Intercrossing, in pigeons. + -Darwin on effects of. + -and sterility. + + Interglacial periods, Darwin on evidence for. + + Intermediate forms. + -Bates' paper on. + -S. American types as. + -crossing and frequent absence of. + -extinction of. + -Falconer on existence of. + -as fossils. + -Asa Gray on. + -Plagiaulax as evidence of. + -Wollaston on rarity in insects. + + Introduced plants, Sonchus in New Zealand as example of. + -in N. America and Australia. + -variability of. + -Darwin on. + + Introductory Essay to Tasmanian "Flora," Hooker's. + + Ipswich, British Association meeting (1851). + + Iquique, nitrate of soda beds at. + + Ireland, Spanish plants in. + + Iris, flowers of. + -nectar secretion of. + + Islands, comparison between species of rising and sinking. + -fauna of. + -introduction of plants. + -products of. + -plants with irregular flowers on. + -subsidence of coral. + -survival of ancient forms in. + -volcanic. + -comparison of age of continents and. + -former greater extension of. + + "Island Life," Darwin's criticism of Wallace's. + + Isle of Wight, occurrence of Bee-orchis in. + + Isnardia palustris, range of. + + Isolation, Bentham underestimates importance of. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -importance of. + -Wagner exaggerates importance of. + -Weismann on effects of. + + Itajahy, F. Muller's narrow escape from flood of. + + Italy, flora of. + + Ivy, difference in growth of flowering and creeping branches. + + Jaeger, G., letter to. + -on pangenesis and inheritance. + + James', Sir H., discussion in "Athenaeum" on change of climate. + -map of the world. + + James Island, Darwin's plants from. + + Jameson. + + Jamieson, W., on S. America. + -Darwin converted to glacial theory of Glen Roy after publication of + paper by. + + Janet, on Natural Selection. + + Japan, American types in. + -flora of. + -Gray's work on plants of. + -progress of. + + Java, botanical relation to Africa. + -Alpine plants of. + -Wallace on. + + Jays, Crows and. + -repeated pairing of. + + Jeffreys, Gwyn, shells sent by Darwin to. + + Jenkin, Fleeming, review by. + + Jenners, taste for natural history in the. + + Jenyns (Blomefield), Rev. Leonard: The following sketch of the life of + Rev. Leonard Blomefield is taken from his "Chapters in my Life; Reprint + with Additions" (privately printed), Bath, 1889. He was born, as he states + with characteristic accuracy, at 10 p.m., May 25th, 1800; and died at Bath, + September 1st, 1893. His father—a second cousin of Soame Jenyns, from + whom he inherited Bottisham Hall, in Cambridgeshire—was a parson-squire of + the old type, a keen sportsman, and a good man of business. Leonard + Jenyns' mother was a daughter of the celebrated Dr. Heberden, in whose + house in Pall Mall he was born. Leonard was educated at Eton and + Cambridge, and became curate of Swaffham Bulbeck, a village close to his + father's property; he was afterwards presented to the Vicarage of the + parish, and held the living for nearly thirty years. The remainder of his + life he spent at Bath. He was an excellent field-naturalist and a minute + and careful observer. Among his writings may be mentioned the Fishes in + "Zoology of the Voyage of the 'Beagle,'" 1842, a "Manual of British + Vertebrate Animals," 1836, a "Memoir" of Professor Henslow,1862, to which + Darwin contributed recollections of his old master, "Observations in + Natural History," 1846 and "Observations in Meteorology," 1858, besides + numerous papers in scientific journals. In his "Chapters" he describes + himself as showing as a boy the silent and retiring nature, and also the + love of "order, method, and precision," which characterised him through + life; and he adds, "even to old age I have been often called a VERY + PARTICULAR GENTLEMAN." In a hitherto unpublished passage in his + autobiographical sketch, Darwin wrote, "At first I disliked him from his + somewhat grim and sarcastic expression; and it is not often that a first + impression is lost; but I was completely mistaken, and found him very kind- + hearted, pleasant, and with a good stock of humour." Mr. Jenyns records + that as a boy he was by a stranger taken for a son of his uncle, Dr. + Heberden (the younger), whom he closely resembled. + -letters to. + -mentioned. + + Jodrell Laboratory, Darwin's interest in. + -note on. + + Jordanhill, Smith of, on Gibraltar. + + "Journal of Researches," Darwin's. + + Judd, Prof. J.W., letter to. + -recollections of Darwin. + -on Darwin's "Volcanic Islands." + -Darwin in praise of work of. + + Jukes, on imperfection of the Geological Record. + -on changes of climate. + -on formation of river-valleys. + -over estimates sub-aerieal denudation. + + Jumps, variation by. + + Juncus, range of. + -J. bufonius. + -variation of. + -germination of seed from mud carried by woodcock. + + Jura, Darwin on erratic blocks of. + + Jussieu, A. de. + + Kane's, E.K., "Arctic Explorations," use of foxtails by Esquimaux + referred to in. + + Kelvin, Lord, Address at the British Association Meeting at Edinburgh + (1871). + -on geological time. + -on age of the earth. + -on origin of plant-life from meteorites. + + Kemp, W., sends seeds to Darwin. + -on vitality of seeds. + + Kensington, proposed removal of British Museum (Bloomsbury) collections + to. + + Kerguelen cabbage, Chambers versus Hooker on the. + + Kerguelen island, coal-beds of. + -relation of flora to that of Fuegia. + -similarity between plants of S. America and of. + -importance of collecting fossil plants on. + -moth from. + -sea-shells of. + -volcanic mountain on. + + Kerner, A. von Marilaun, on Tubocytisus. + -"Pflanzenleben." + -"Schutzmittel des Pollens." + -on xenogamy and autogamy. + -mentioned. + + Kerr, on frozen snow. + + Kerr, Prof. Graham. + + Kew, proposed consolidation of botanical collections at. + -rarity of insects and shells in Royal Garden. + -Darwin visits Garden. + -Darwin obtains plants from. + -Darwin sends seeds to. + -Jodrell, Laboratory at. + -struggle for existence at. + -suggestion that J. Scott should work in Garden. + + Kilauea, lava in crater of. + + Kilfinnin, shelves in valley of. + + Kilima Njaro, plants of. + + King, Captain, collection of plants by. + -"Voyages of the 'Adventure' and 'Beagle.'" + + King, Sir George, reminiscences of J. Scott. + -Darwin receives seeds from. + + King, Dr. Richard (1811?-1876): He was surgeon and naturalist to Sir + George Back's expedition (1833-5) to the mouth of the Great Fish River + in search of Captain Ross, of which he published an account. In 1850 he + accompanied Captain Horatio Austin's search expedition in the + "Resolute." + -Arctic expedition. + + Kingfisher, sexual difference in. + + Kingsley, C., quoted in the "Origin." + -story of a heathen Khan. + -reference to E. Forbes and P.H. Gosse. + + Kini Balu, vegetation of. + + Kirby and Spence. + + Klebs, on use of mucus in seeds. + + Knight, A., on crossing. + -hybrid experiments. + -on sports. + + Knight's Law. + + Knight-Darwin Law, F. Darwin on. + + Knuth, on morphology of cruciferous flower. + + Koch's "Flora Germanica." + + Kolliker, visits Down. + + Kollmann, Dr., on atavism. + + Kolreuter, on Aquilegia. + -on hybrids. + -observations on pollen. + -on self-fertilisation. + -on varieties of tobacco. + + "Kosmos," F. Muller's article on Crotolaria. + -F. Muller's paper on Phyllanthus in. + + Krause, E., letter to. + -memoir of Erasmus Darwin. + -memoir of H. Muller. + + Kroyer. + + Kubanka, form of Russian wheat. + + Kurr, on flowers of Canna. + + La Plata, H.M.S. "Beagle's" visit to. + -Cervus of. + -Mylodon of. + -plants of. + -extinct animals from. + -slates and schists of. + + Labellum, nature of. + + Labiatae, large genera of. + + Laboratory, Darwin on the instruments for botanical. + -founding of Jodrell. + + Laburnum, peloric flowers of. + -Darwin on hybrid (see also Cytisus). + + Ladizabala, crossing experiments on. + + Lagerstraemia (Lagerstroemia), F. Muller on. + + Lakes, Darwin on Ramsay's theory of. + -as agents in forming Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + -of Friesland. + -Geological action of. + -Ramsay on. + + Lamarck, Darwin on views of. + -difference between views of Darwin and. + -"Hist. Zoolog." of. + -Hopkins on Darwin and. + -Packard's book on. + -quotation from. + + Lamellicorns, F. Muller on sexes in. + -stridulating organs of. + + Lamont, James, F.G.S., F.R.G.S.: author of "Seasons with the Sea-horses; + etc.; Yachting in the Arctic Seas, or Notes of Five Voyages of Sport and + Discovery in the Neighbourhood of Spitzbergen and Novaya Zemlya," + London, 1876; and geological papers on Spitzbergen. + -letters to. + + Lampyridae, luminous organs of. + + Land, fauna of sea compared with that of. + -changes in level of sea the cause of those on. + + Land-birds, resting on the sea. + + Land-shells, dispersal of. + -of glacial period. + -modification of. + + Land-surfaces, preservation for long periods. + + Landois, reference to paper by. + + Language, observations bearing on origin of. + -Sir J. Herschel on study of. + + Lankester, E. Ray, letter to. + -drawing of earthworm used in Darwin's book. + + Lankester, E. (Senior), speech at Manchester British Association meeting + (1861), on Darwin's theory. + + Lantana, in Ceylon. + + Lanugo, on human foetus. + + Lapland, richness of flora. + + Latania Lodigesii, peculiar to Round Island. + + Latent characters, tendency to appear temporarily in youth. + + Lathyrus aphaca. + -L. grandiflorus, fertilisation of. + -L. nissolia, evolution of. + -explanation of grass-like leaves. + -Darwin on. + -L. maritimus, bloom on. + -L. odoratus, fertilisation of. + -intercrossing of varieties. + + Lauder-Dick, Sir Thomas, on Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + + Laurel, extra-floral nectaries of. + + Lava, Darwin and Scrope on separation of constituent minerals of. + -Elie de Beaumont's measurements of inclination of. + -fluidity of. + -junction between dykes and. + -and metamorphic schists. + -Scrope on basaltic and trachytic. + -subsidence due to outpouring of. + + Law, of balancement. + -of growth. + -of higgledy-piggledy. + -of perfectibility by Nageli. + -of sterility. + -of succession. + -of variation. + + Lawes, Sir J.B., and Sir J.H. Gilbert, Rothamsted experiments. + + Laxton, T., close on the trail of Mendelian principle. + + "Lay Sermons," Huxley's. + + Leaves, movements of. + -used by worms in plugging burrows. + + Lebanon, glacial action on. + -plants of. + -Hooker on Cedars of. + + Lecky, Rt. Hon. W.E.H., Darwin's interest in book by. + -quoted in "Descent of Man." + + Lecoq, "Geographie Botanique." + -on self-sterility. + -mentioned. + + Lectures, Darwin on Edinburgh University, (see also Hooker and Huxley). + -Max Muller's, on Science of Language. + + Ledebour, allusion to book by. + + Leeds, address by Owen at. + + Leersia oryzoides, cleistogamic flowers of. + + Leggett, W.H., on Rhexia virginica. + + Legitimate unions, heteromorphic or. + + Leguminosae, absence in Greenland. + -absent in New Zealand. + -anomalous genera in. + -crossing in. + -scarcity in humid temporate regions. + -seeds of. + -example of inherited pelorism in. + -Lord Farrer's observations on fertilisation of. + -nectar-holders in flowers. + -reason for absence of. + + Leibnitz, rejection of theory of gravity by. + + Lemuria, continent of. + + Lepadidae, Darwin's work on, (see also Barnacles). + -fossil. + + Lepas, nomenclature of. + + Lepidodendron. + + Lepidoptera, Sexual Selection in. + -breeding in confinement. + -F. Muller on mimicry in. + -protection afforded by wings. + -want of colour-perception. + -Weir on apterous. + + Lepidosiren, reason for preservation of. + + Leptotes. + + Leschenaultia, fertilisation mechanism. + -self-fertilisation of. + -L. biloba, fertilisation mechanism of. + -L. formosa, fertilisation mechanism of. + + Lesquereux, Leo (1806-89): was born in Switzerland, but his most + important works were published after he settled in the United States in + 1848. Beginning with researches on Mosses and Peat, he afterwards + devoted himself to the study of fossil plants. His best known + contributions to Palaeobotany are a series of monographs on Cretaceous + and Tertiary Floras (1878-83), and on the Coal-Flora of Pennsylvania and + the United States generally, published by the Second Geological Survey + of Pennsylvania between 1880 and 1884 (see L.F. Ward, Sketch of + Palaeobotany, "U.S. Geol. Surv., 5th Ann. Rep." 1883-4; also "Quart. + Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XLVI., "Proc." page 53, 1890. + -convert to evolution. + -on Coal floras. + + Leuckart, Rudolf (1822-98): Professor of Zoology at Leipzig. + -convert to Darwin's views. + + Lewes, G.H., (1817-78): author of a "History of Philosophy," etc. + -letter to. + + Lewy, Naphtali, letter to Darwin from. + + Lias, cephalopods from the. + + Life, Bastian's book on the beginnings of. + -mystery of, + -origin of. + -principle of. + -bearing of vitality of seeds on problem of. + + Light, action on plants of flashing. + + Lima, Darwin visits. + + Limulus. + + Linaria, peloria as reversions. + + Lindley, John (1799-1865): was born at Catton, near Norwich. His first + appointment was that of Assistant Librarian to Sir Joseph Banks. He was + afterwards Assistant Secretary to the Horticultural Society, and during his + tenure of that office he organised the first fruit and flower shows held in + this country. In 1829 he was chosen to be the first Professor of Botany at + University College, London, and a few years later he became Lecturer to the + Apothecaries' Company. He is the author of a large number of botanical + books, of which the best known is the "Vegetable Kingdom," 1846. He was + one of the founders of the "Gardeners' Chronicle," and was its principal + editor up to the time of his death. He was endowed with great powers of + work and remarkable energy. He is said as a young man to have translated + Richard's "Analyse du Fruit" in a single sitting of three nights and two + days. (From the article on Lindley in the "Dictionary of National + Biography," which is founded on the "Gardeners' Chronicle," 1865, pages + 1058, 1082.) + -Hooker's eloge of. + -and Royal Medal. + -"Vegetable Kingdom" by. + -on Acropera and Gongora. + -Darwin on his classification of orchids. + -letters to. + -on Melastomaceae. + -on orchids. + -Hooker reviews Darwin's Orchid book in style of. + -mentioned. + + Lingula, persistence of. + -Silurian species. + + Link, on Alpine and Arctic plants. + + Linnaeus. + + Linnean Society, Bentham's address. + -Collier's picture of Darwin in rooms of. + -Darwin's paper on Linum. + -Darwin advises Bates to give his views on species before. + -Wallace's paper on the Malayan papilionidae. + + Linnet, a migratory bird. + + Linope, E. Hackel on. + + Linum, Darwin's work on. + -dimorphism of. + -interaction of pollen and stigma. + -mucus in seeds of. + + Linum flavum. + -L. grandiflorum, two forms of. + -L. Lewisii, experiments on. + -L. trigynum. + -L. usitatissimum, circumnutation of. + + Lister, Lord, on spines of Hedgehog. + + Listera, fertilisation of. + -L. cordata, fertilisation of. + -L. ovata, fertilisation of. + + Litchfield, Mrs. (see Darwin, Henrietta). + -criticism of Huxley. + + Littoral shells, glacial period and. + + Liverpool, British Association meeting at (1870). + + Livingstone, D., on the distribution of thorny plants. + + Lobelia, Darwin's experiments on. + -fertilisation mechanism of. + -fertility of. + -L. fulgens, Scott's experiments on. + + Lochaber, Parallel Roads of (see also Glen Roy). + -evidence of ice-action. + + Lochs, Laggan (Loggan), ice-action in. + -Roy, Darwin disbelieves in existence of. + -Spey, shelves of. + -Treig, ice-action in. + -Milne's account of. + + Locust grass, germination of. + + Locusts, blown out to sea. + -plants from dung of. + + Logwood, leaf-movement of. + -See Haematoxylon. + + Loiseleuria procumbens. + + London clay, supposed germination of seeds from. + + "London Review," Darwin's opinion of. + -correspondence between Owen and editor in reference to "Origin." + + Longchamps, L. de, on crossing in Gramineae. + + Longevity, Darwin on animals' and man's. + + Lonsdale, William (1794-1871): obtained a commission in the 4th Regiment + at the age of sixteen, and served at Salamanca and Waterloo. From 1829 + to 1842 he held the office of Assistant-Secretary and Curator of the + Geological Society. Mr. Lonsdale contributed important papers on the + Devonian System, the Oolitic Rocks, and on palaeontological subjects. + ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XXVIII., page xxxv., 1872.) + -mentioned. + + Lopezia, fertilisation of. + + Lophura viellottii, colour of. + + Loss, nature of. + + Love, evidence of existence low in scale. + + Loven, S.L.: published numerous papers on Cirripedes and other + zoological subjects in the Stockholm "Ofversigt" and elsewhere between + 1838 and 1882. + -translation of paper on Cirripedes. + -mentioned. + + Lowe, R.T., on Madeira. + + Lowell, Prof., on custom in Italy of shaking head in affirmation. + + Lowland plants, ascending mountains. + + Lowne, B.T., on anatomy of blowfly. + + Lowness and highness. + + Lubbock, Lady. + + Lubbock, Sir J., see Lord Avebury. + + Lucas, Dr. P., on tendency to vary independent of conditions. + + Ludwig, F., letter to. + + Lumbricus (see also Earthworms). + + Luminosity in animals. + -result of external conditions. + + Lupinus, Darwin's experiments on. + + Luzula. + + Lychnis dioica, structure of flower. + -sets seed without pollen. + + Lycopodium, variation in. + + Lyell, Sir Charles, Bart., F.R.S. (1797-1875): was born at Kinnordy, the + family home in central Forfarshire. At the age of seventeen he entered + at Exeter College, Oxford, and afterwards obtained a second class in the + final Honours School in Classics. As an undergraduate Lyell attended + Prof. Buckland's lectures on Geology. On leaving Oxford Lyell was + entered at Lincoln's Inn; a weakness of the eyes soon compelled him to + give up reading, and he travelled abroad, finding many opportunities for + field work. He was called to the Bar in 1825, and in the same year + published some papers on geological subjects. From 1823-26 Lyell filled + the post of Secretary to the Geological Society, and in 1826 was elected + into the Royal Society. In 1830 the first volume of the "Principles of + Geology" was published; the second volume appeared two years later. + Speaking of this greatest of Lyell's services to Geology, Huxley writes: + "I have recently read afresh the first edition of the "Principles of + Geology," and when I consider that this remarkable book had been nearly + thirty years in everybody's hands {in 1859}, and that it brings home to + any reader of ordinary intelligence a great principle and a great fact— + the principle that the past must be explained by the present, unless + good cause be shown to the contrary; and the fact that, so far as our + knowledge of the past history of life on our globe goes, no such cause + can be shown—I cannot but believe that Lyell, for others, as for + myself, was the chief agent in smoothing the road for Darwin" (Huxley's + "Life and Letters," Volume II., page 190). As Professor of Geology in + King's College, London, Lyell delivered two courses of lectures in 1832- + 33; in the latter year he received a Royal medal, and in 1858 he was the + recipient of the Copley medal of the Royal Society. The "Elements of + Geology" was published in 1833; this work is still used as a text-book, + a new edition having been lately (1896) brought out by Prof. Judd; in + 1845 and in 1849 appeared the "Travels in North America" and "A Second + Visit to the United States of North America." The "Antiquity of Man" + was published in 1863. Lyell was knighted in 1848, and in 1864 was + raised to the rank of a Baronet. He was buried in Westminster Abbey. + Darwin wrote in his Autobiography: "The Science of Geology is enormously + indebted to Lyell, more so, as I believe, than to any other man who ever + lived" ("Life and Letters," Volume I., page 72). In a letter to Lyell— + November 23rd, 1859—Darwin wrote: "I rejoice profoundly that you intend + admitting the doctrine of modification in your new edition {a new edition + of the "Manual" published in 1865}; nothing, I am convinced, could be more + important for its success. I honour you most sincerely. To have + maintained, in the position of a master, one side of a question for thirty + years, and then deliberately give it up, is a fact to which I much doubt + whether the records of science offer a parallel" ("Life and Letters," + Volume II., pages 229-30). See "Life, Letters, and Journals of Sir Charles + Lyell, Bart." edited by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Lyell, 2 Volumes, London, + 1881. "Charles Lyell and Modern Geology," Prof. T.G. Bonney, London, + 1895.) + -"Antiquity of Man." + -on Barrande. + -cautious attitude towards "Origin of Species." + -cautious judgment of. + -on Cetacea. + -Copley medal awarded to. + -on continental extension. + -controversy with Owen. + -Darwin's pleasure in reading his "Geology." + -on distribution. + -Falconer and. + -German opinion of. + -on immutability. + -interest in celts. + -letters to. + -letters to Darwin from. + -map of Tertiary geography by. + -on mutability. + -on pangenesis. + -"Principles of Geology." + -on Ramsay's theory of lakes. + -urges Darwin to publish his views with those of Wallace. + -visits Down. + -work in France. + -address to Geological Society. + -attacked by Owen in his "Anatomy of Vertebrata." + -criticism of Murchison. + -on craters of denudation. + -Darwin's indebtedness to. + -death of. + -death of his father. + -gives up opposition to Evolution. + -on glaciers of Forfarshire. + -on glacial period in S. hemisphere. + -versus Herschel on volcanic islands. + -on iceberg action. + -memorial in Westminster Abbey. + -on Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + -as founder of school of Geology. + -second visit to the United States. + -trip to Wales. + -mentioned. + + Lyell, Lady, letter to. + -translation of paper for Darwin. + -visits Down. + -mentioned. + + Lynch, R.I. + + Lythraceae, dimorphism in. + + Lythrum, cross-fertilisation of. + -Darwin's work on. + -trimorphism of. + -L. hyssopifolium, range of. + -L. salicaria, dimorphism of. + -Darwin's work on. + + Macacas, Owen on. + -M. Silenus, mane as a protection. + + Macalister, Prof. A. + + Macarthur, Sir W., on Erythrina. + + Macaw, beauty of plumage. + + McClennan, on primitive man. + + MacCulloch, on Glen Turret. + -on metamorphic rocks. + -on Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + + M'Donnell, Darwin on work of. + + Macgillivray, reference to his "History of British Birds." + + Machetes pugnax, polygamy of. + + Mackintosh, Daniel (1815-91): was well-known in the South of England as a + lecturer on scientific subjects. He contributed several papers to the + Geological Society on Surface Sculpture, Denudation, Drift Deposits, etc. + In 1869 he published a work "On the Scenery of England and Wales" (see + "Geol. Mag." 1891, page 432. + -on boulders of Ashley Heath. + -letters to. + -on Moel Tryfan. + -on sources of erratic blocks in England. + + McNab, Prof., J. Scott and. + -mentioned. + + Macrauchenia, skull of. + + Madagascar, existence of insects capable of fertilising Angraecum in. + -fossil Hippopotamus of. + -Owen on fauna of. + -plants of. + -former extension of. + -as a geographical region. + -Viola of. + + Madeira, birds of. + -British plants compared with those of. + -Canary Islands formerly connected with. + -flora of. + -insects of. + -land-extension, of. + -land-shells of. + -Lowe on. + -Tertiary plants of. + -elevation of. + + Maer, the home of the Wedgwoods. + + Magellan Straits, H.M.S. "Beagle" in. + + Magnus, review by Krause of his work on colour. + + Magpies, pairing of. + + Mahon, Lord, compliment to Darwin. + + Mahonia, natural crossing of. + + Maillet, evolutionary views of. + + Maize, hybrids of, see also Zea. + + Malaxeae, and Epidendreae. + + Malaxis, course of vessels in flower. + -fertilisation of. + + Malaxis paludosa, epiphytic on Sphagnum. + + Malay archipelago, Darwin on Wallace's book on. + -translation by Meyer of Wallace's book. + + Malay region, glacial epoch and the. + -Wallace on butterflies and pigeons of. + + Malpighiaceae, degraded flowers of. + -Erythroxylon included in. + + Malta, Forbes on geology of. + + Malthus, Darwin derives help from reading. + -Haughton sneers at. + -misunderstood. + + Malva. + + Mammae, as rudimentary organs in man. + + Mammals, alteration in skulls of. + -Australian cave-. + -birds compared with. + -Dana's classification. + -distribution. + -as indices of climatic changes. + -as proof of union between England and Continent since Glacial period. + -Waterhouse's "Natural History" of. + -Glacial period and extinction of. + -Origin and migration. + + Mammoth (Bog). + + Mammoth, Darwin's eagerness to collect bones of. + -Falconer on the. + + Man, antiquity of (see "Antiquity of Man," and Lyell, Sir C.). + -and apes. + -brain of. + -criticism of Lyell's chapter on. + -Huxley's book on. + -McClennan on primitive. + -and Natural Selection. + -origin of. + -races of. + -selection by Nature contrasted with selection by. + -slow progress of. + -Darwin on Wallace's paper on. + -descent of. + -ears of. + -geological age of. + -and geological classification. + -hairyness of. + -introduction of. + -rank in classification. + -Turner on evolution of. + -Wallace on evolution of. + + Mankind, descent from single pair. + -early history of. + -progress of. + + Mantell, Owen's attack on. + + "Manual of Scientific Inquiry," Darwin's. + + Manx cats. + + Maranta, sleep-movements of. + + Marble, MacCulloch on metamorphism of. + + Marianne Islands, subsidence of. + -want of knowledge of flora. + + Marion, "L'evolution du Regne vegetal," by Saporta and. + + Marlatt, C.L., on Cicada. + + Marquesas Islands, subsidence of. + + Marr, J.E., on the rocks of Bohemia. + -mentioned. + + Marriage, Darwin on. + -Galton's proposal to issue health-certificates for. + + Marshall, W., on Elodea. + + Marsupialia, compared with placentata. + -Darwin on nature of. + -evidence of antiquity. + -abundance in Secondary period. + + Martens, see Martins. + + Martha (=Posoqueria), F. Muller's paper on. + + Martin, H.N., Darwin's opinion of "Elementary Biology" by Huxley and. + + Martins, experiments on immersion of seeds in sea by. + + Maruta cotula of N. America. + + Masdevallia, Darwin's work on. + + Massart, on regeneration after injury. + + Masters, M., letters to. + -lecture at Royal Institution. + -"Vegetable Teratology." + + Mastodon, Australian. + -extinction of. + -Falconer on. + -in Timor. + -migration into S. America. + -skeleton found by Darwin. + -M. andium, Falconer on intermediate character of. + + "Materialism of the Present day," Janet's. + + Matteucci on electric fishes. + + Matthew, P., on forest trees in Scotland. + -quoted by Darwin as having enunciated principle of Natural Selection + before "Origin." + + Maurienne, note on earthquake in province of. + + Mauritius, craters of. + -elevation of. + -extinction of snakes of. + -oceanic character of. + + Maury's map, as illustrating continental extension. + + Maxillaria. + + Maypu River, Darwin visits. + + Mays, J.A., publishes lectures by Huxley. + + Medals: + -(Copley), Darwin, Lyell. + -(Royal). + -(Wollaston), Darwin. + + Medical Department of Army, statistics from Director-General of. + + Meditation, expression of eyes in. + + Mediterranean Islands, flora of. + + Medusae, Romanes' work on. + + Meehan, T., letter to. + + Megalonyx. + + Megatherium, Darwin collects bones of. + -Sir A. Carlisle on. + + Melastoma, Darwin on. + + Melastomaceae, Darwin on. + -crossing in. + -two kinds of stamens in. + + Meldola, Prof. Raphael F.R.S.: Professor of Chemistry in Finsbury + Technical College (City and Guilds of London Institute), and a well- + known entomologist; translated and edited Weismann's "Studies in the + Theory of Descent," 1882-83. + -address to Entomological Society. + -letters to. + -translation of Weismann's "Studies in Descent" by. + -on Weismann and Darwin. + -mentioned. + + Melipona. + + Meloe, Lord Avebury on. + + Melrose, seeds from sandpit near. + + Memorial to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. + + Mendel, G., W. Bateson on his "Principles of Heredity." + -Darwin ignorant of work of. + -Laxton and. + + Mendoza, Darwin visits. + + "Mental Evolution in Animals," Romanes'. + + Mentha, of N. America. + -M. borealis, variety in N. America. + + Menura superba, colour and nests of. + + Menzies and Cumming, visit Galapagos Islands. + + Mercurialis. + + Mertensia, Darwin's experiments on. + + Mesembryanthemum. + + Mesotherium, Falconer on. + + Metamorphic schists. + + Metamorphism, Darwin on. + -heat and. + -Sorby on. + + Metamorphosis, Lord Avebury on insects and. + -F. Muller on. + -Quatrefages on. + + Meteorites, Lord Kelvin suggests their agency in introduction of plants. + + "Methods of Study," Agassiz' book on. + + Mexicans, explanation of natural affinities of Chinese and. + + Meyen, on insectivorous plants. + + Meyer, Dr., translator of Wallace's "Malay Archipelago." + + Meyer and Doege, on plants of Cape of Good Hope. + + Mica, in foliated rocks. + + Mica-slate, clay-slate and. + + Mice, ears of. + -experiments by Tait on. + + Microscope, Darwin on convenient form of. + -indispensable in work on flowers. + -use of compound without simple, injurious to progress of Natural + History. + + Migration of animals and plants. + -Darwin on plant-. + -of elephants. + -Glacial period and. + -of plants. + -in tropics. + -of birds. + + Mikania, a leaf-climber. + -M. scandens, gradation between Mutisia and. + + Mill, J.S., on Darwin's reasoning. + -on greatest happiness principle. + + Miller, Hugh, "First Impressions of England and its People." + + Miller, S.H., "Fenland Past and Present" by Skertchley and. + + Miller, Prof. William Hallowes, F.R.S. (1801-80), held the Chair of + Mineralogy at Cambridge from 1832 to 1880 (see "Obituary Notices of + Fellows," "Proc. R. Soc." Volume XXXI., 1881). He is referred to in the + "Origin of Species" (Edition VI., page 221) as having verified Darwin's + statement as to the structure of the comb made by Melipona domestica, a + Mexican species of bee. The cells of Melipona occupy an intermediate + position between the perfect cells of the hive-bee and the much simpler + ones of the humble-bee; the comb consists "of cylindrical cells in which + the young are hatched, and, in addition, some large cells of wax for + holding honey. These latter cells are nearly spherical and of nearly equal + sizes, and are aggregated into an irregular mass. But the important point + to notice is that these cells are always made at that degree of nearness to + each other that they would have intersected or broken into each other if + the spheres had been completed; but this is never permitted, the bees + building perfectly flat walls of wax between the spheres which thus tend to + intersect." It occurred to Darwin that certain changes in the architecture + of the Melipona comb would produce a structure "as perfect as the comb of + the hive-bee." He made a calculation, therefore, to show how this + structural improvement might be effected, and submitted the statement to + Professor Miller. By a slight modification of the instincts possessed by + Melipona domestica, this bee would be able to build with as much + mathematical accuracy as the hive-bee; and by such modifications of + instincts Darwin believed that "the hive-bee has acquired, through natural + selection, her inimitable architectural powers" (loc. cit., page 222). + -letters to. + + Million years, Darwin on meaning of a. + + Milne-Edwards, Darwin's cirripede work and. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -on retrograde development. + + Milne-Home, David (1805-90): was a country gentleman in Berwickshire who + became interested in geology at an early age. He wrote on the Midlothian + Coal-field, the Geology of Roxburghshire, the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, + and compiled the Reports presented by a Committee appointed by the Royal + Society of Edinburgh to investigate the observation and registration of + boulders in Scotland ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume XLVII., 1891; + "Proc." page 59). + -believes in connection between state of weather and earthquakes. + -on Glen Roy. + -letters to. + -letter from R. Chambers to. + -on oscillation of sea. + + Milton, quotation from. + + Mimicry, Bates on. + -and dimorphism. + -Volucella as an example of. + -Wallace on. + -and colour. + -F. Muller on Lepidoptera and. + + Mimosa, Darwin's experiments on. + -M. albida, Darwin on. + -M. sensitiva. + + Mimoseae, F. Muller's account of seeds of. + + Mimulus, Pfeffer on movement of stigma. + + Mind, development of. + -evolution of. + -influence on nutrition. + + Miocene land. + + Miquel, F.A.W., on Flora of Holland. + -on distribution of the beech. + -on flora of Japan. + -mentioned. + + Mirabilis. + + Mirbel, G.F.B. de. + + Miscellaneous letters, botanical. + -geological. + + Miscellaneous subjects, letters on. + + Mississippi, Lyell on pampas and deposits of the. + + Mitchella. + + Mivart, St. George F.R.S. (1827-1900): was educated at Harrow, King's + College, London, and St. Mary's College, Oscott. He was called to the Bar + in 1851; in 1862 he was appointed Lecturer in the Medical School of St. + Mary's Hospital. In the "Genesis of Species," published in 1871, Mivart + expressed his belief in the guiding action of Divine power as a factor in + Evolution. + -false reasoning of. + -"Genesis of Species." + + Modification, Darwin's disbelief in sudden. + -explanation of. + -of insects. + -of jays and crows. + -of land and freshwater faunas. + -selection and. + -of species. + -Walsh on specific. + + Moel Tryfan, Darwin on shells on. + -Mackintosh on shells on. + + Moggridge, J. Traherne (1842-74): is described by a writer in "Nature" + Volume XI., 1874, page 114, as "one of our most promising young + naturalists." He published a work on "Harvesting Ants and Trap-door + Spiders," London, 1873, and wrote on the Flora of Mentone and on other + subjects. (See "The Descent of Man" Volume I., Edition II., page 104, + 1888.) + -letters to. + -note on. + -experiments on ants and seeds. + + Mohl, von, on climbing plants. + + Mojsisovics, E. von: Vice-Director of the Imperial Geological Institute, + Vienna. + -letters to. + -work on Palaeontology and Evolution. + + Molecular movement in foliated rocks. + + Moller, "Brasilische Pilzblumen." + + Molliard, on Les Cecidies florales. + + Mollusca, distribution by birds. + -Huxley on. + -means of dispersal of. + -Morse on protective colours of. + -Wallace on distribution of. + + Molothrus, occurrence in Brazil. + + Monacanthus viridis, female form of Catasetum tridentatum. + + Monkeys, distribution of birds affected by. + -range of. + -ears of. + -mane as protection. + -wrinkling of eyes during screaming. + + Monochaetum (Monochoetum), absence of nectar in. + -experiments on. + -flowers of. + -neglected by bees. + -seeds of. + -M. ensiferum, two kinds of stamens. + + Monocotyledons, range of. + -heterostylism in. + + Monotremes, birds compared with. + -as remnant of ancient fauna. + + Monotropa uniflora, in New Granada. + -in Himalayas. + -in separate areas in U.S.A. + + Monotypic genera, variation of. + + Monstrosities, Harvey on. + -Masters' work on. + -no sharp distinction between slight variations and. + -origin of species from. + -variations and. + + Monte Video, Darwin visits. + -Darwin on cleavage at. + + Moon, effect on earthquakes. + + Moraines, glacial. + + Moral sense, J. Morley on Darwin's treatment of. + + Morality, foundation of. + + More, Alexander Goodman (1830-95): botanist and zoologist, distinguished + chiefly by his researches on the distribution of Irish plants and animals. + He was born in London, and was educated at Rugby and Trinity College, + Cambridge. He became Assistant in the Natural History Museum at Dublin in + 1867, and Curator in 1881. He was forced by ill-health to resign his post + in 1887, and died in 1895. He is best known for the Cybele Hibernica and + for various papers published in the "Ibis." He was also the author of + "Outlines of the Natural History of the Isle of Wight," of a "Supplement to + the Flora Vectensis," and innumerable shorter papers. His "Life and + Letters" has been edited by Mr. C.B. Moffat, with a preface by Miss Frances + More (1898). There is a good obituary notice by Mr. R. Barrington in the + "Irish Naturalist," May, 1895. + -letters to. + + Morgan. + + Morley, J., letters to. + + Mormodes, labellum of. + -M. ignea, flower of. + + Morphological, Hooker's criticism of term. + -sense in which used by Nageli. + + Morphology, Darwin's explanation of. + -Kollmann on batrachian. + -of plants. + + Morse, Prof. E.S.: of Salem, Mass. + -letters to. + -on shell-mounds of Omori. + + Morton, Lord, his mare. + + Moscow, opinion on Darwin's work from. + + Moseley, Canon H., on glacier-motion. + + Moseley, Prof. Henry Nottidge F.R.S. (1844-91): was an undergraduate of + Exeter College, Oxford, and afterwards studied medicine at University + College, London. In 1872 he was appointed one of the naturalists on the + scientific staff of the "Challenger," and in 1881 succeeded his friend and + teacher, Professor Rolleston, as Linacre Professor of Human and Comparative + Anatomy at Oxford. Moseley's "Notes by a Naturalist on the Challenger," + London, 1879, was held in high estimation by Darwin, to whom it was + dedicated. (See "Life and Letters," III., pages 237-38.) + -letter to. + -proposal to examine Kerguelen Coal beds. + + Moss-rose, sudden variation in. + + Mostyn, Lord, horse and quagga belonging to. + + Moths, hermaphroditism in hybrid. + -survival of distinct races. + -colours of. + -and Sexual Selection. + + Mould, Darwin's opinion of his paper on. + + Mountain-building, Rogers on. + + Mountain-chains, Darwin on. + -and earthquakes. + -and elevation. + -false views of geologists on. + -Hopkins on. + -volcanic rocks in. + + Movement, of land-areas. + -of plants, Darwin on. + -F. Muller on. + -Wiesner on Darwin's book on. + + Mucus of seeds, significance of. + + Mukkul, Pass of. + + Mules, meaning of stripes of. + -J.J. Weir's observations on. + + Muller, Ferd., on advance of European plants in Australia. + + Muller, (Fritz) Dr. Johann Friedrich Theodor (1822-97): was born in + Thuringia, and left his native country at the age of thirty to take up his + residence at Blumenau, Sta Catharina, South Brazil, where he was appointed + teacher of mathematics at the Gymnasium of Desterro. He afterwards held a + natural history post, from which he was dismissed by the Brazilian + Government in 1891 on the ground of his refusal to take up his residence at + Rio de Janeiro ("Nature," December 17th, 1891, page 156). Muller published + a large number of papers on zoological and botanical subjects, and rendered + admirable service to the cause of evolution by his unrivalled powers of + observation and by the publication of a work entitled "Fur Darwin" (1865), + which was translated by Dallas under the title "Facts and Arguments for + Darwin" (London, 1869). The long series of letters between Darwin and + Muller bear testimony to the friendship and esteem which Darwin felt for + his co-worker in Brazil. In a letter to Dr. Hermann Muller (March 29th, + 1867), Mr. Darwin wrote: "I sent you a few days ago a paper on climbing + plants by your brother, and I then knew for the first time that Fritz + Muller was your brother. I feel the greatest respect for him as one of the + most able naturalists living, and he has aided me in many ways with + extraordinary kindness." See "Life and Letters," III., page 37; "Nature," + October 7th, 1897, Volume LVI., page 546. + -book by. + -convert to Darwin's views. + -Darwin's opinion of his book. + -friendship with Darwin. + -Hooker on. + -letters to. + -on Lord Morton's mare. + -on mutual specialisation of insects and plants. + -on prawns. + -reference to letter from. + -on sponges. + -on Cassia and caterpillars in S. Brazil. + -on climbing plants. + -on crossing plants. + -Darwin offers to make good loss by flood. + -Darwin's admiration of. + -on Darwin's work on lepidoptera. + -Darwin urges him to write Natural History book. + -explanation of two kinds of stamens in flowers. + -on fertilisation mechanisms. + -letter to Darwin from. + -narrow escape from flood. + -article in "Kosmos" on Phyllanthus. + -on Melastomaceae. + -on orchids. + -on stripes and spots in animals. + -on Termites. + -disinclined to publish. + -mentioned. + + Muller, Hermann (1829-83): began his education in the village school of + Muhlberg, and afterwards studied in Halle and Berlin. From an early age he + was a keen naturalist, and began his scientific work as a collector in the + field. In 1855 he became Science teacher at Lippstadt, where he continued + to work during the last twenty-eight years of his life. Muller's greatest + contribution to Botany "Die Befruchtung der Blumen durch Insekten," was the + outcome to Charles Darwin's book on the "Fertilisation of Orchids." He was + a frequent contributor to "Kosmos" on subjects bearing on the origin of + species, the laws of variation, and kindred problems; like his brother, + Fritz, Hermann Muller was a zealous supporter of evolutionary views, and + contributed in no small degree to the spread of the new teaching. ("Prof. + Dr. Hermann Muller von Lippstadt: Ein Gedenkblatt," by Ernst Krause, + "Kosmos," Volume VII., page 393, 1883.) + -extract from letter to. + -Darwin's admiration for his book. + -on fertilisation of flowers. + -on clover and bees. + -on Epipactis and Platanthera. + -extract from Darwin's preface to his "Befruchtung der Blumen." + -letters to. + -on Melastoma. + -persecuted by Ultramontane party. + -review in "Kosmos" of "Forms of Flowers." + -mentioned. + + Muller, Prof. Max, "Lectures on the Science of Language." + -letter to. + + Muller, Rosa, observations on circumnutation. + + Mummy wheat. + + Mundane cold period, Darwin on supposed. + + Mundane genera, distribution of. + + Munro, Col., on Bermuda. + + Munro, on eyes of parrots. + + Murchison, Sir R.I., apotheosis of. + -Darwin's conversations with. + -letter to. + -address to Geological Society. + -on structure of Alps. + -Lyell's criticism of. + + Murder, expression of man arrested for. + + Murdoch, G.B., letter to. + + Murray, A., address to Botanical Society of Edinburgh. + -criticism of Wallace's theory of nests. + -Darwin criticised by. + -Darwin's criticism of work of. + -on geological distribution of mammals. + -on leaves and CO2. + -review of "Origin" by. + -mentioned. + + Murray, Sir J., Darwin on his theory of coral reefs. + + Murray, J., Darwin's agreement with. + -"Journal of Researches" published by. + -MS. of "Origin" sent to. + -sale of "Origin." + -publication of "Fur Darwin." + + Mus, range of. + + Musca vomitoria, Lowne on. + + Muscles, contraction in evacuation and in labour pains. + -in man and apes. + + Museum (British), enquiry as to disposal of Natural History Collections + by Trustees of. + + Music, birds and production of. + -insects, and. + -origin of taste for. + + Musk-duck, hatching of eggs. + + Musk-orchids, pollinia of. + + Musk ox, as index of climate. + -found in gravel at Down. + + Mussels, seize hold of fishing hooks. + + Mutability of species, Lyell on. + + Mutation, use of term. + + Mutisia, a tendril-climber, compared with Mikania. + + Myanthus barbatus, hermaphrodite form of Catasetum tridentatum. + + Mylodon. + + Myosotis, in N. America. + + Myosurus, range of. + + Mytilus, as fossil in the Andes. + + Nageli, Carl Wilhelm von (1817-91): was born at Kilchberg, near Zurich. He + graduated at Zurich with a dissertation on the Swiss species of Cirsium. + At Jena he came under the influence of Schleiden, who taught him + microscopic work. He married in 1845, and on his wedding journey in + England, collected seaweeds for "Die neueren Algen-systeme." He was called + as Professor to Freiburg im Breisgau in 1852; and to Munich in 1857, where + he remained until his death on May 10th, 1891. In the "Zeitschrift fur + wiss. Botanik," 1844-46, edited by Nageli and Schleiden, and of which only + a single volume appeared, Nageli insists on the only sound basis for + classification being "development as a whole." The "Entstehung und + Begriff" (1865) was his first real evolutionary paper. He believed in a + tendency of organisms to vary towards perfection. His idea was that the + causes of variability are internal to the organism: see his work, "Ueber + den Einfluss ausserer Verhaltnisse auf die Varietatenbildung. Among his + other writings are the "Theorie der Bastardbildung," 1866, and "Die + Mechanisch-physiologische Theorie der Abstammungslehre," 1884. The chief + idea of the latter book is the existence of Idioplasm, a part of protoplasm + serving for hereditary transmission. (From Dr. D.H. Scott's article in + "Nature," October 15th, 1891, page 580.) + -Darwin on his work. + -Essay on Natural Selection. + -on Hieracium. + -"Ueber Entstehung und Begriff der naturhistoriscehn Art." + -Weismann on work of. + -on arrangement of leaves. + -criticism of Darwin. + -on innate principle of development. + -on physiological nature of useful adaptations in plants. + + Napier, Rt. Hon. J.R., speech at British Association (1861) on Darwin's + work. + + Naravelia. + + Narborough, Sir J., description of W. coast of S. America by. + + Nascent organs, rudimentary and. + -wing of Apteryx as. + + Natural classification. + + "Natural Conditions of Existence," Semper's. + + Natural History, Darwin's taste for. + -Darwin's contributions to. + -accuracy the soul of. + -Darwin urges F. Muller to write book on. + + Natural History Collections, enquiry as to disposal by British Museum + Trustees of. + + "Natural History Review," Lord Avebury on Walsh's paper on dimorphism. + -Bentham in the. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -Darwin reviews Bates in. + -Falconer in the. + -founding of. + -Huxley and. + + "Natural Inheritance," Galton's. + + Natural preservation, as substitute for Natural Selection. + + "Natural Science," A.S. Woodward on Neomylodon in. + + Natural Selection, accumulation of varieties by. + -and adaptation in orchids. + -Allen on slowness of action. + -Angraecum in relation to. + -Ansted on. + -applied to politics. + -and artificial. + -Bates' belief in. + -Bronn on. + -comparison with architecture. + -with force and matter. + -with laws of gravity. + -conservative influence of. + -Cope's and Hyatt's views on. + -Darwin accused of making too much of a Deus of. + -Darwin's anxiety not to overestimate effect of. + -Darwin lays stress on importance of. + -Darwin on use of term. + -deification of. + -and direct action. + -Eocene or Secondary organisms would be beaten in competition with + recent on theory of. + -and external conditions. + -Falconer on. + -and fertility. + -Asa Gray on. + -Harvey misunderstands Darwin's meaning. + -Haughton partially admits. + -Hooker thinks Darwin probably rides too hard his hobby of. + -Hooker on supposed falling off in belief in. + -Hooker and Bates believe in. + -Huxley's belief in. + -Huxley gives in a lecture inadequate idea of. + -Hyatt and Cope on. + -importance of. + -Lamont on. + -Lyell on. + -and monstrosities. + -Nageli's Essay on. + -no limit to perfection of co-adaptations produced by. + -non-acceptance of. + -objections to. + -"plants are splendid for making one believe in." + -possibility of race of bears being rendered aquatic through. + -with the principle of divergence the keystone of "Origin." + -production of thorns through. + -tends to progression of organisation. + -providential arrangement and superfluity of. + -struggle between reversion, variability and. + -Scott on. + -slowness of action. + -and sterility. + -success of. + -tails of mice a difficulty as regards. + -Sir W. Thomson's misconception of. + -uses of. + -value of. + -and variation. + -variation of species sufficient for selection and accumulation of new + specific characters by. + -and useful characters. + -Wallace on. + -Watson on. + -applied to man and brutes. + -Australian savages and. + -beauty and. + -Darwin on action of. + -Darwin's historical sketch in "Origin" of. + -difficulties of. + -Donders nearly preceded Darwin in views on. + -evolution of man from point of view of. + -Owen's attitude towards. + -primogeniture destructive of. + -Sexual Selection less powerful than. + -Wallace attributes theory entirely to Darwin. + -Wallace on brain and. + + Naturalisation, of European plants. + -of plants in India. + -of plants in islands. + + Naturalised plants, Bentham on. + -comparison of variability of indigenous and. + -De Candolle on. + -variability of. + -fewness of American species of, in Britain. + + "Naturalist in Nicaragua," Belt's. + -Belt's account of honey-glands of plants in. + + "Naturalist on the Amazons," Bates'. + -Darwin's opinion of. + + Naturalists, views on species held by. + -few care for philosophical experiments + + Nature, Wallace on personification of. + -use of term. + + "Nature not lying," principle of. + + "Nature," Darwin's opinion of. + -letters or notes from Darwin in. + -Galton in. + -F. Muller in. + -Thiselton-Dyer in. + + Naudin, C., on hybridism. + -on Melastomaceae. + + Nauplius stages. + + Nautilus, of Silurian age. + + Necrophorus, Darwin's observations on. + + Nectar, in leguminous flowers. + -Lord Farrer on secretion of, in Coronilla. + + Nectaries, Belt on extra-floral. + + Nectarines and peaches. + -Rivers on production from seed. + -variation in. + + Negative geological evidence, Darwin and Lyell on. + + Negro, resemblance between expression of Cebus and. + + Nelumbium, as example of transport. + + Neottia nidus-avis, fertilisation mechanism. + -pollen-tubes of. + + Nepenthes, Hooker's work on. + -Thiselton-Dyer on. + + Neptunia. + + Nervous system, genesis of. + -influence on nutrition. + + Nests, Wallace's theory, of. + -colour in relation to. + -instinct in making. + + Neumann, on Catasetum. + + Neumayr, Melchior (1845-90): passed his early life at Stuttgart, and + entered the University of Munich in 1863 with the object of studying law, + but he soon gave up legal studies for Geology and Palaeontology. In 1873 + he was recalled from Heidelberg, where he held a post as Privatdocent, to + occupy the newly created Chair of Palaeontology in Vienna. Dr. Neumayr was + a successful and popular writer, as well as "one of the best and most + scientific palaeontologists"; he was an enthusiastic supporter of Darwin's + views, and he devoted himself "to tracing through the life of former times + the same law of evolution as Darwin inferred from that of the existing + world." (See Obit. Notice, by Dr. W.T. Blanford, "Quart. Journ. Geol. + Soc." Volume XLVI., page 54, 1890.) + -essay on descent theory. + -services to geology. + -"Die Stamme des Thierreichs." + + Nevill, Lady Dorothy. + + New Zealand, absence of leguminosae opposed to continental extension of. + -British plants in. + -clover never seeded before introduction of bees. + -comparison between flora of Tasmania and. + -elevation of mountains in. + -flora of. + -flora of Australia and. + -Flora of Raoul Island and. + -Hooker on flora of. + -Darwin's opinion of Hooker's "Flora." + -former connection of islands. + -former extension of. + -naturalised plants. + -peopling of mountains by plants. + -proportion of annuals. + -species of plants common to America, Chili and. + -stocked from Antarctic land. + -colonising of. + -glacial action in. + -mountain-rat of. + -trees of. + + Newton, Prof. A., note on Strickland by. + -description of partridge as agent in dispersal of seeds. + + Newton's law of gravity. + + Niagara, Darwin on Lyell's work on. + + Nightingale, Gould on the. + + Noises, observations on children's. + + Nolana prostrata, Darwin's experiments on. + + Nomenclature, discussion on. + + "North British Review," Fleeming Jenkin's review in. + -Tait in. + + Norton, Professor Charles Elliot: of Harvard, the son of the late Dr. + Andrews Norton, Professor of Theology in the Harvard Divinity School. + -visits Down. + + Norway, Von Buch's travels in. + -Blytt on flora of. + + Norwich, Berkeley's address at British Association (1868) meeting at. + -Hooker's address. + + Nottingham, British Association meeting (1866) at. + -Hooker's lecture on insular floras at. + + Notylia, F. Muller on. + + Nucula, a persistent type. + + Nuneham, Darwin's recollection of trip to. + + Nutrition, influence of mind on. + + Nyctitropic movements, see Sleep-movements. + + Observation, spirit of astronomers in. + -harder work than generalisation. + -pleasure of. + + Observations, not to be trusted without repetition. + + Observer, a good theoriser makes a good. + + Oceanic islands, difference in floras and means of stocking. + -connection between continents and. + -former extension of. + -Reade on. + -volcanic nature of. + + Oceans, age and depth of. + -permanence of. + -as sinking areas. + + Ogle, W., on the sense of smell. + -letter to. + -translation of book by Kerner. + + Ogleby, reference to his nomenclature scheme. + + Oken, on Lepas. + -Owen on. + + Old characters, reappearance of. + + Oldenburgia. + + Oldenlandia. + + Olfers. + + Oliver, D., Darwin indebted to for information. + -letters to. + -mentioned. + + Olyra, sleep-movements of. + + Omori, Morse on shell-mounds of. + + Oncidium, J. Scott's work on. + -structure of labellum. + -O. flexuosum, observations by Muller and Scott on. + -self-sterility of. + -O. sphacelatum, Scott on fertilisation of. + + Ophrys. + -O. apifera, fertilisation-mechanism. + -self-fertilisation of. + -O. arachnites, fertilisation of. + -habitat. + -O. aranifera. + -O. morio, fertilisation of. + -O. muscifera, Lord Farrer's observations on. + -O. scolopax. + + Opossums. + + Oppel, service to geology. + -mentioned. + + Opuntia, Henslow describes new species from Galapagos. + + Orang-utang, Rolleston on brain of. + -Wallace on. + + Orange trees, grafting of. + + d'Orbigny, on geology of S. America. + -theory of formation of Pampas mud. + -"Voyage dans l'Amerique meridionale. + -mentioned. + + Orchids, adaptation in. + -Darwin's work on. + -Darwin's view that seedlings are parasitic on Cryptogams. + -Falconer's estimate of Darwin's work on. + -few species in humid temperate regions. + -flourish in cool temperate regions. + -illustrate diversity of means to same end. + -monstrous. + -quoted as argument against species arising from monstrosities. + -utility and. + -fertilisation mechanisms of. + -Brazilian. + -Darwin decides to publish his work in book-form. + -Darwin sends copy of his book to F. Muller. + -Darwin underrates power of producing seeds without insects. + -French translation of Darwin's book. + -germinative power of pollen. + -Hildebrand's paper on. + -Nectar not excreted in some English. + -and nectar secretion. + -formation of ovule after pollination. + -Scott points out error in Darwin's work. + -Scott on pollen-tubes of. + -Scott on self-sterility. + -self-fertilisation in. + -setting of seed in unopened flower. + -sterility of. + -course of vessels in flowers. + -wonderful contrivances intelligible. + + Orchis, flowers of. + -nectaries of. + -pollinia of. + + Orchis (Bee) (see also Ophrys apifera), Darwin's experiments on. + -O. pyramidalis, fertilisation mechanism. + -O. ustulata. + + Order of Nature. + + Ordination. + + Organ mountains, Darwin on plants of. + -glacial action on. + + Organisms, simultaneous change in. + -amount of change in fresh water and marine. + + Organs, transition of + -use of. + + "Origin of the Fittest," Cope's. + + "Origin of Genera," Cope's work on. + + Origin of life. + + "Origin of Species," acceptance of doctrine of Evolution due to the. + -Darwin's belief in the permanence of the framework of the. + -Darwin's opinion of his book. + -Dawson's review of. + -direct action underestimated in the. + -editions of the. + -errors in. + -Falconer's estimate of. + -Huxley's Cambridge speech, and reference to the. + -Huxley's lecture on coming of age of. + -Huxley's review of. + -Lesquereux's articles in "Silliman" against the. + -publication of the Abstract of. + -publication by Murray of. + -sale of the. + -Seemann on the. + -translation of. + -Wallace's criticism of. + -Walsh on the. + -Darwin on necessity for modifications in the. + -review by Fleeming Jenkin. + -review by A. Murray. + -Owen's criticism of Darwin's Historical Sketch in 4th edition of. + -Owen's review of. + -study of natural history revolutionised by the. + -valueless criticism on. + + Origin of species, Darwin's early views on. + -Darwin's views on. + -Falconer antagonistic to Darwin's views on. + -Oxford discussion (British Association, 1860) on the. + -spread of Darwin's views in America. + + Origin of species and genera, Wallace in the "Nineteenth Century" on. + + Original work, time taken up by, at expense of reading. + + Ormerod's Index to the Geological Society's Journal. + + Ornithorhynchus, aberrant nature of. + -preservation of. + + Orthoptera, auditory organs of. + + Oscillariae, abundance in the ocean. + + Oscillataria. + + Oscillation of land, Darwin's views on. + + Os coccyx, as rudimentary organ. + + Ostrea. + + Ostrich, modification of wings. + + Outliers, plants as. + + "Outlines of Cosmic Philosophy," Fiske's. + + Ovary, abnormal structure in orchid. + + Owen, Sir Richard (1804-92): was born at Lancaster, and educated at the + local Grammar School, where one of his schoolfellows was William Whewell, + afterwards Master of Trinity. He was subsequently apprenticed to a surgeon + and apothecary, and became deeply interested in the study of anatomy. He + continued his medical training in Edinburgh and at St. Bartholomew's + Hospital in London. In 1827 Owen became assistant to William Clift (whose + daughter Owen married in 1835), Conservator to the Hunterian Museum of the + Royal College of Surgeons. It was here that he became acquainted with + Cuvier, at whose invitation he visited Paris, and attended his lectures and + those of Geoffroy St. Hilaire. The publication, in 1832, of the "Memoir on + the Pearly Nautilus" placed the author "in the front rank of anatomical + monographers." On Clift's retirement, Owen became sole Conservator to the + Hunterian Museum, and was made first Hunterian Professor of Comparative + Anatomy and Physiology at the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1856 he + accepted the post of Superintendent of the Natural History department of + the British Museum, and shortly after his appointment he strongly urged the + establishment of a National Museum of Natural History, a project which was + eventually carried into effect in 1875. In 1884 he was gazetted K.C.B. + Owen was a strong opponent of Darwin's views, and contributed a bitter and + anonymous article on the "Origin of Species" to the "Edinburgh Review" of + 1860. The position of Owen in the history of anatomical science has been + dealt with by Huxley in an essay incorporated in the "Life of Richard + Owen," by his grandson, the Rev. Richard Owen (2 volumes, London, 1894). + Huxley pays a high tribute to Owen's industry and ability: "During more + than half a century Owen's industry remained unabated; and whether we + consider the quality or the quantity of the work done, or the wide range of + his labours, I doubt if, in the long annals of anatomy, more is to be + placed to the credit of any single worker." The record of his work is + "enough, and more than enough, to justify the high place in the scientific + world which Owen so long occupied. If I mistake not, the historian of + comparative anatomy and palaeontology will always assign to Owen a place + next to, and hardly lower than, that of Cuvier, who was practically the + creator of those sciences in their modern shape, and whose works must + always remain models of excellence in their kind." On the other hand, + Owen's contributions to philosophical anatomy are on a much lower plane; + hardly any of his speculations in this field have stood the test of + investigation: "...I am not sure that any one but the historian of + anatomical science is ever likely to recur to them, and considering Owen's + great capacity, extensive learning, and tireless industry, that seems a + singular result of years of strenuous labour." + -address at Leeds (British Association, 1858) by. + -admission of descent of species. + -articles by. + -on a badger of Pliocene age. + -on the brain. + -Mrs. Carlyle's impression of. + -and Hooker. + -conduct towards Huxley. + -Darwin abused by. + -on Darwin and Maillet. + -and Darwinism. + -on ephemeral influence of the "Origin." + -Falconer and. + -Huxley on. + -on Huxley's election to the Athenaeum. + -ignores Darwin's work. + -influence of. + -isolation among scientific men. + -lecture on birds by. + -letters to. + -letter to the "Athenaeum." + -"Life of." + -on lowness of animals. + -on Macacus. + -on mammals of Old World. + -on morphology of vertebrata. + -review in the "Quarterly" of the "Origin." + -"Palaeontology" by. + -on parthenogenesis. + -review in the "Edinburgh Review" by. + -on simple and multiple organs. + -on use and disuse. + -and Bishop Wilberforce's review. + -visits Down. + -attack on Darwin in his "Anatomy of Vertebrata." + -attitude towards Natural Selection. + -mentioned. + + Owls and hawks, as agents in seed-dispersal. + + Oxalis, bulbils of. + -cleistogamic flowers of. + -dimorphism of. + -pollen-tubes of. + -seeds of. + -trimorphism of. + -O. acetosella, sensitive leaves of. + -variation in length of pistil and stamens. + -O. sensitiva, Darwin's work on. + -O. corniculata, variation of. + + Oxford, meeting of the British Association at (1847). + -Tuckwell's reminiscences of. + + Oxlips, Darwin's experiment on cowslips, primroses, and. + -Darwin on hybrid character of. + -scarcity of. + + Oxyspora paniculata, Wallich on. + + Pachira, inequality of cotyledons. + -P. aquatica. + + Pacific Ocean, Darwin wishes Hooker to investigate floras of. + -islands of the. + -coral reefs of. + + Packard's "Lamarck the Founder of Evolution." + + Paget, Sir J., on regeneration. + -address on elemental pathology. + -illness of. + -on influence of mind on nutrition. + -"Lectures on Surgical Pathology." + -letters to. + -mentioned. + + Pairing, in birds. + -vigour of birds and effect on time of. + + Palaeolithic flints, in gravels near Southampton. + + Palaeontology, rapid progress of. + + Palaeozoic period. + + Paley, idea of interference of Creator in construction of each species + due to. + + "Pall Mall," article on "Dr. Hooker on Religion and Science" in. + -letter to editor of. + + Pallas, Darwin's conviction of truth of doctrine of. + -doctrine of. + -on hybrids and fertility. + + Palm, Malayan climbing. + + Palm, L.H., work on climbing plants by. + + Palma, crater of. + + Pampas, geology of the. + -formation of. + -Lyell on Mississippi beds and. + -D'Orbigny's theory of formation of. + -thistle of the. + + Pangenesis, adverse opinion on. + -Bentham on. + -Berkeley on. + -bud-propagation and. + -Darwin on. + -Darwin's suggestion as to term. + -difference between Galton's theory of heredity and. + -evidence from hybridisation in favour of. + -Hooker on. + -Huxley's views on. + -Jager on. + -Lyell on. + -and molecular hypothesis of Hackel. + -Ranyard on. + -Romanes on. + -self-fertilisation and. + -Wallace on. + -the idea a relief to Darwin as connecting facts. + -F. Muller and. + -bearing on regeneration. + -"will turn out true some day." + -mentioned. + + Panmixia. + + Panniculus carnosus in man. + + Papilio Memnon, Wallace on. + -P. nireus, Mrs. Barber on. + -P. pammon, Wallace on. + + Papilionaceaous flowers, absence in New Zealand. + -and hermaphroditism. + + Papilionidae, Wallace on Malayan. + + Paraheliotropism, Muller's observations on. + -in Phyllanthus. + + Parallel Roads of Glen Roy (see Glen Roy). + + Parana, Darwin finds Mastodon at. + + Pararge, breeding in confinement. + + Parasites, and degeneration. + -extermination of game by. + -bloom as protection against. + -and galls. + + Parietaria, explosive stamens of. + + Parrots, as agents in seed-dispersal. + + Parsimony, Hamilton's law of. + + Parthenogenesis, Darwin on. + -Owen's Hunterian lecture on. + -in Primula. + -J. Scott's work on. + + Partridges, as agents of seed-dispersal. + -rudimentary spurs on legs of. + + Parus caeruleus, protective colouring of. + + Passiflora, bloom experiments on. + -Lord Farrer's work on. + -position of flowers of. + -Muller assists Lord Farrer in work on. + -Scott's work on. + -self-sterility of. + -Sprengel on. + -visited by humming-birds. + -P. gracilis, dispersal of seeds. + -P. princeps, adapted to humming birds. + + Patagonia, L. Agassiz on elevation of. + -Darwin on geology of. + -gigantic land-sloth of. + -Admiral Sulivan on. + + Pathology, Paget's lectures on. + + Pattison, Mark. + + Pavo nigripennis. + + Payne, on effect of rain on plants. + -observations by. + + Peaches, bud-variation in. + -raised from seed. + + Peacock, evolution and Sexual Selection of. + -experiments on cutting tail of male. + -muscles of tail of. + + Pearson, H.H.W., on the botany of Ceylon patanas. + + Peas, course of vessels in ovary of sweet-. + -crossing in. + -fertilisation of. + -waxy secretion in. + + Pecten, P. latissimus. + + Pelargonium, peloric. + -Beaton on. + -Darwin's experiments on. + -flowers of. + -P. multiflora alba, Darwin's experiments on crossing. + + Pelobius, Darwin on. + + Peloria, effect of pollen on regular flowers. + -Darwin suggests experiments on. + -Masters on. + -in Pelargonium. + -inheritance of. + + Peneus, F. Muller on. + + Pentateuch, N. Lewy on. + + Periodicals, Darwin's opinion of scientific. + -foreign compared with English. + + Peripatus, Moseley's work on. + + Peristylus viridis, Lord Farrer's observations on. + + Permanence of ocean basins. + + Permian period, glacial action during. + -freshwater beds in India. + + "Personal Narrative," Humboldt's. + + Peru, anarchy in. + -Darwin on terraces in. + -D. Forbes on geology of. + + Peuquenes Pass, Darwin visits. + + Pfeffer, Prof., on chemotaxis. + -considers Wiesner wrong in some of his interpretations. + -on Drosera. + -"Periodische Bewegungen." + + Pfitzer, on classification of orchids. + + Pfluger. + + Phalaenopsis. + + Phanerogams, comparison with one class of animals rather than with one + kingdom. + + Phaseoli, crossing in. + + Phaseolus vulgaris, sleep-movements of. + + Pheasants, display of colour by golden. + -Hewitt on hybrids of. + -hybrids between fowls and. + -protective colouring. + + Phillips, J., defines species. + -evolutionary views. + -"Life on the Earth." + -mentioned. + + Phillips-Jodrell, T.T., founder of Jodrell Laboratory at Kew. + + Philosophical Club. + + Philosophical experiments, few naturalists care for. + + Philosophising, means and laws of. + + Phlox, Darwin's observations on flowers of. + -heterostylism of. + -P. Drummondii. + -P. subulata. + + Phyllanthus, F. Muller's paper in "Kosmos" on. + -sleep-movements of. + -P. Niruri, sleep-movements of. + + Phryma, de Candolle on. + -occurrence in N. America. + + Phyllotaxis, Darwin and Falconer on. + + Physical conditions, effect of. + + "Physical Geography," Herschel's. + + Physicists, disagree as to rate of cooling of earth's crust. + + "Physiological Aesthetics," Grant Allen's. + + Physiological germs. + + Physiological selection, Romanes'. + + Physiological species, Huxley's term. + + Physiological units, Herbert Spencer's. + + Physiological variations. + + "Physiology," Huxley's "Elementary Lessons in." + -Darwin on difficulty of. + -Darwin's want of knowledge of. + -Darwin's work on plant-. + -England behind in vegetable. + -small knowledge of ordinary doctors of. + -and vivisection. + + Phytophagic varieties, Walsh on. + + Phytophthora, potatoes and. + + "Pickwick," quotation from. + + Pictet, on the succession of forms. + -mentioned. + + Pictet and Humbert, on fossil fishes of Lebanon. + + Pieris, breeding in confinement. + -colour the result of mimicry. + -protective colouring. + -P. napi. + -Weismann on. + + Pigeons, breeding of. + -drawings of. + -experiments on crossing. + -experiments bearing on direct action. + -production of varieties. + -reduction of wings. + -and sterility. + -Tegetmeier's work on. + -Wallace on Malayan. + -Darwin's work on. + -experiments in painting. + -Flourens' experiments on. + -gay deceiver. + -pairing for whole life. + (Barbs.) + (Carriers.) + (Fantails.) + (Laugher.) + (Pouters.) + (Rock.) + (Runts.) + (Tumblers.) + + Pigs, crossing of. + + "Pikermi," Gaudry's "Animaux fossiles de." + + Pinguicula, Darwin's observations on. + + Pistyll Rhiadr. + + Pisum, cross-fertilisation of. + -P. sativum, visited by Bombus. + + Pithecoid man, Huxley's term. + + Pithecus, Owen on Homo and. + + Placentata. + + Plagiaulax, Falconer on. + + Planaria. + + Planorbis, Hyatt on genesis of species of. + -P. multiformis, graduated forms of. + + Plantago, Ludwig's observations on. + -Darwin on. + + Plants, change in animals compared with change in. + -comparison between high and low as regards resistance to injurious + conditions. + -contractility of. + -difference between animals and. + -distribution of. + -fossil. + -of Madeira. + -morphological characters. + -resemblance to animals. + -Saporta's work on fossil. + -small proportion preserved as fossils. + -splendid for helping belief in Natural Selection. + -thorns in. + -wide range as compared with animals. + -Darwin's interest in movements of. + -Darwin on physiology of. + -disease in. + -effect of stimuli on. + + Plas Edwards. + + Plasmodiophora, action on cruciferous roots. + + Platanthera, H. Muller on. + + Plato, comparison between plants and man in his "Timaeus." + + Platysma myoides, contraction during terror. + -Darwin's error concerning. + + Playfair, Lord. + + Pleistocene Antarctic land, plants derived from. + + Pliocene, Falconer on mammal from the. + + Plovers, protective colouring of. + + Plumage, immature and adult. + + Plumbago, Darwin's experiments on. + -said to be dimorphic. + + Podostemaceae, fertilisation of. + + Poisons, natives of Australia injured by vegetable. + -absorption by roots of. + -effect of injection into plants. + + Polar bear, modification of. + + Polar ice-cap, Darwin on the. + + Polarity, E. Forbes' theory of. + + Pollen, direct action of. + -experiments on. + -time of maturity in Eucalyptus and Mimosa. + -mechanism for distribution in Martha. + -Miyoshi's experiments on tubes of. + + Polyanthus, crossing in. + + Polyborus Novae Zelandiae, in Falkland Islands. + + Polydactylism, and inheritance. + + Polyembryony, in Coffea and Pachira. + + Polygala. + -P. vulgaris, variation of. + + Polygamy, in birds. + -in Machetes. + + Polygonum, germination of seeds found in sandpit. + + Polymorphism, Darwin and Hooker on. + -Wallace on. + + Polytypic genera, variation of. + + Pontederia, heterostylism of. + + Pontodrilus, Lankester on. + + Poplar, Heer on fossil species. + + Popper, J., letter to. + + Poppig, on civilisation and savagery. + + Poppy (corn-), indigenous in Sicily. + + Porpoises, Flower on. + -freshwater. + -Murray on. + + Portillo Pass. + + Porto-Santo, land-snails of. + -plants of. + + Positivism, Huxley's article in "Fortnightly Review" on. + + Posoqueria, F. Muller's paper on. + + Potatoes, crossing experiments. + -cultivated and wild. + -disease of. + -experiments suggested. + -graft-hybrids. + -sterility and variability in. + -Torbitt's experiments on. + -Traill's experiments. + -varieties of. + -Darwin's work on varieties of. + -Hildebrand's experiments on. + + Poulton, Prof., on Prichard as an evolutionist. + -"Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection." + + Poultry, skulls of. + -Tegetmeier's book on. + -experiments on colour and sexual selection. + + Powell, Prof. Baden. + + "Power of Movement in Plants," Darwin's account of capacity of revolving + in plants, in his book. + -Continental opinion of. + -Wiesner's criticism of. + + Prawns, F. Muller on metamorphosis of. + + Prayer, Galton's article on. + + Pre-Cambrian rocks, Hicks on. + + Predominant forms. + + "Prehistoric Europe," J. Geikie's. + + "Prehistoric Times," Lord Avebury's. + + Preordination, speculation as to. + + Prepotency of pollen. + + Prescott, reference to work by. + + Preservation, suggested as an alternative term for Natural Selection. + + Pressure, effect on liquefaction by heat. + + Preston, S. Tolver, letter to. + + Prestwich, Prof. J., letter to. + -on Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + -on superficial deposits of S. England. + -work on Tertiaries. + -mentioned. + + Prevost, C., as candidate for Royal Society Foreign List. + -mentioned. + + Price, J., extract from letter from Darwin to. + + Prichard, James Cowles (1786-1848): He came on both sides from Quaker + families, but, according to the "Encyclopaedia Britannica," he + ultimately joined the Church of England. He was a M.D. of Edinburgh, + and by diploma of Oxford. He was for a year at Trinity College, + Cambridge, and afterwards at St. John's and New College, Oxford, but did + not graduate at either University. He practised medicine, and was + Physician to the Infirmary at Bristol. Three years before his death he + was made a Commissioner in Lunacy. He not only wrote much on Ethnology, + but also made sound contributions to the science of language and on + medical subjects. His treatise on insanity was remarkable for his + advanced views on "moral insanity." + -on immutability. + -quotations from his "Physical History of Mankind." + + Priestley, "Green matter" of. + -Huxley's essay on. + + Primogeniture, antagonistic to Natural Selection. + + Primrose (see also Primula), Darwin's experiments on cowslip and. + -dimorphism of. + -J. Scott on. + + Primula, Darwin's work on. + -difficulty of experimenting with. + -dimorphism of. + -dimorphism lost by variation. + -entrance of pollen-tubes at chalaza. + -varying fertility of. + -fertilisation of. + -homomorphic unions and. + -ovules of. + -J. Scott's work on. + -stamens of. + -P. elatior. + -P. longiflora, non-dimorphism of. + -Treviranus on. + -P. mollis. + -P. scotica. + -P. sinensis. + -fertility of. + -legitimate and illegitimate unions. + -movement of cotyledons. + + Principle of divergence. + + "Principles of Biology," Spencer's. + + "Principles of Geology," Lyell's. + -Darwin on. + -Wallace's review of. + + Pringlea antiscorbutica (Kerguelen cabbage). + + Priority, Falconer and Owen on. + + Proboscidean group, extinction of. + + Progress, in forms of life and organisation. + + Progression, tendency in organisms towards. + + Progressive development. + + Pronuba, the Yucca moth, Riley on. + + Proteaceae, former extension of. + + Protean genera, list of N. American. + + Protection, colour in butterflies and. + -thorns as. + -Wallace on. + -colour and. + -colour of birds and. + -colour of caterpillars and. + -colour of shells and. + -Darwin's views on Sexual Selection and. + -evolution of colour and. + -mimicry and. + -monkeys' manes as. + -Wallace on colour and. + -Wallace on wings of lepidoptera and. + + Protective resemblance, Wallace on. + + Proterogyny, in Plantago. + + Prothero, G.W. + + Protococcus. + + Protozoa. + + Providential arrangement. + + Prunus laurocerasus, extra-floral nectaries visited by ants. + + Psithyrus. + + Psychology, Delboeuf on. + -Romanes' work on comparative. + + Ptarmigan, protective colouring of. + + Pterophorus periscelidactylus. + + Publishing, over-readiness of most men in. + + Pumilio argyrolepis, Darwin on seeds of. + + Purbeck, Plagiaulax from the. + + Purpose, Darwin on use of term. + + Pyrola, fertilisation mechanism in. + + Quagga, hybrid between horse and. + + Quails, seed-dispersal by migratory. + + "Quarterly Journal of Science," article on Darwin and his teaching in. + -review by Wallace of the Duke of Argyll's "Reign of Law." + + "Quarterly Review," Mivart's article. + -Bishop Wilberforce's review of "Origin" in. + -article on zebras, horses, and hybrids. + + Quartz, segregation in foliated rocks. + + Quatrefages, Jean Louis Armand de, de Breau (1810-92): was a scion of an + ancient family originally settled at Breau, in the Cevennes. His work was + largely anthropological, and in his writings and lectures he always + combated evolutionary ideas. Nevertheless he had a strong personal respect + for Darwin, and was active in obtaining his election at the Institut. For + details of his life and work see "A la Memoire de J.L.A. de Quatrefages de + Breau," 4o, Paris (privately printed); also "L'Anthropologie," III., 1892, + page 2. + -letters to. + -translation of paper by. + -on proportion of sexes in Bombyx. + + Quenstedt, work on the Lias by. + + Queries on expression. + + Rabbits, Angora, skeletons of. + -Darwin's work on. + + Race, nature's regard for. + + Racehorse, selection by man. + -Wallace on fleetness of. + -equality of sexes in. + + Races of man. + -causes of difference in. + -Wallace on. + + Rafflesia, parasites allied to. + + Rain, effect on leaves. + -movements of leaves as means of shooting off. + + Ramsay, Sir A.C., on origin of lakes. + -Geological Society hesitates to publish his paper on Lakes. + -on ice-action. + -on insects in tropics. + -memoir by Geikie of. + -on denudation and earth-movements. + -overestimates subaerial denudation. + -on Parallel Roads of Glen Roy. + -on Permian glaciers. + -proposal that he should investigate glacial deposits in S. America. + -mentioned. + + Range, De Candolle on large families and their. + -coleoptera and restricted. + -of genera. + -of shells. + -size of genera in relation to species and their. + -of species. + + Ranunculaceae, evidence of highness in. + + Ranunculus auricomus. + + Ranyard, A.C., letter to "Nature" on pangenesis. + + Raoul Island, Hooker on. + + Raphael's Madonna, referred to by Darwin. + + Raspberry, germination of seeds from a barrow. + -waxy secretion of. + + Rattlesnake, Wright on uses of rattle of. + + Raven, said to pair for whole life. + + Ray Society, work of. + + Raymond, Du Bois, work on plants. + + Reade, T.M., letters to. + -on age of the world. + + "Reader," sold to the Anthropological Society. + + Reading, Darwin complains of lack of time for. + -little time given by scientific workers to. + + Reciprocal crosses, half-sterility of. + + Rede Lecture, by Phillips (1860). + + Reduction, cessation of selection as cause of. + -organs of flight and. + -wings of ostrich and. + + References, Darwin on importance of giving. + -Wallace on. + + Regeneration, power of. + -reference in "Variation of Animals and Plants" to. + + "Reign of Law," the Duke of Argyll's. + -reviewed by Wallace. + + Reindeer, of Spitzbergen. + -horns of. + + Religion and science. + + Representative species. + -in floras of Japan and N. America. + -in Galapagos Islands. + + Reproduction, difference in amount of energy expended by male and female + in. + + Reproductive organs, St.-Hilaire's view of affaiblissement and + development of. + -in relation to theoretical questions. + + Research, Huxley and. + -justification of. + + Reseda lutea, sterile with own pollen. + -R. odorata, experiment on cross-and self-fertilisation. + + Resemblance, mimetic. + + Resignation, expression in. + + Restiaceae, former extension of. + + Restricted distribution. + + Retardation, Cope on. + + Retrogression. + + Reversion, in ammonites. + -Darwin on. + -and degeneration of characters. + -factors causing. + -hybridism and. + -Lord Morton's mare and. + -stripes of mules due to. + -struggle between Natural Selection and. + -and crossing. + -peloria and. + + Review of the "Descent of Man," by J. Morley. + + Reviews, Darwin on an author writing his own. + -on the "Origin of Species," by Asa Gray. + -Haughton. + -Hopkins. + -Hutton. + -Huxley. + -F. Jenkin. + -Owen. + -Wilberforce. + + Rhamnus. + + Rhexia, flowers of. + -R. virginica, W.H. Leggett on anthers. + + Rhinoceros. + + Rhinochetus. + + Rhizocephala, retrograde development in. + + Rhododendron Boothii. + + Rhopalocera, breeding in confinement. + + Rhynchoea, colour of. + + Rich, Anthony (1804?-1891): Educated at Caius College, Cambridge, of + which he was afterwards an Honorary Fellow. Author of "Illustrated + Companion to the Latin Dictionary and Greek Lexicon," 1849, said to be a + useful book on classical antiquities. Mr. Darwin made his acquaintance + in a curious way—namely, by Mr. Rich writing to inform him that he + intended to leave him his fortune, in token of his admiration for his + work. Mr. Rich was the survivor, but left his property to Mr. Darwin's + children, with the exception of his house at Worthing, bequeathed to Mr. + Huxley. + -legacy to Huxley. + -letter to. + -leaves his fortune to Darwin. + + Rich, Mrs., mentioned. + + Richardson, R., on tablet to commemorate Darwin's lodgings at 11, + Lothian Street, Edinburgh. + + Richardson, Darwin on merits of. + + Rigaud, on formation of coal. + + Riley, Charles Valentine (1843-95): was born in England: at the age of + seventeen he ran away from home and settled in Illinois, where at first + he supported himself as a labourer; but he soon took to science, and his + first contributions to Entomology appeared in 1863. He became + entomological editor of the "Prairie Farmer" (Chicago), and came under + the influence of B.D. Walsh. In 1868 Riley became State Entomologist of + Missouri, and in 1878 Entomologist to the U.S. Department of + Agriculture, a post he resigned in 1894 owing to ill-health; his death + was the result of a bicycle accident. (Taken principally from the + "Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington," Volume III., + 1893-6, page 293.) + -letters to. + -mentioned. + + Rio Janeiro, absence of erratic boulders near. + -Agassiz on drift-formation near. + + Rio Negro. + + Rio Plata. + + Ritchie, Mrs., visit to Down. + + Rivers, The late Mr. Thomas: of Sawbridgeworth, was an eminent + horticulturist and writer on horticulture. + -letters to. + + Robin, attracted by colour of Triphaena (Triphoea). + + Robinia, insect visitors of. + + Rocks, bending when heated. + -condition in interior of earth. + -fluidity of. + -metamorphism of (see also Metamorphism). + + Rocky Mountains, wingless insects of the. + + Rogers, W.B. and H.D., on cleavage. + -on coalfields of N. America. + -on parallelism of axis-planes of elevation and cleavage. + + Rolleston, George (1829-81): obtained a first-class in Classics at + Oxford in 1850; he was elected Fellow of Pembroke College in 1851, and + in the same year he entered St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Towards the + close of the Crimean War, Rolleston was appointed one of the Physicians + to the British civil hospital at Smyrna. In 1860 he was elected the + first Linacre Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, a post which he held + until his death. "He was perhaps the last of a school of English + natural historians or biologists in the widest sense of the term." In + 1862 he gave the results of his work on the classification of brains in + a lecture delivered at the Royal Institution, and in 1870 published his + best known book, "Forms of Animal Life (Dict. Nat. Biography). + -address in "Nature" by. + -on the orang-utang. + -adhesion to Darwin's views. + -letter to. + -letter to Darwin from. + -mentioned. + + Rollisson. + + Roman villa at Abinger. + + Romanes, G.J. (1848-94): was one of Mr. Darwin's most devoted disciples. + The letters published in Mrs. Romanes' interesting "Life and Letters" of + her husband (1896) make clear the warm feelings of regard and respect + which Darwin entertained for his correspondent. + -Darwin on controversy between Duke of Argyll and. + -on graft-hybrids. + -letters to. + -letter to Darwin from. + -letter to "Nature" in reply to the Duke of Argyll. + -on physiological selection. + -review of Roux's book. + -on heliotropism. + -lecture on animal intelligence by. + -lecture on evolution of nerves. + -letter to "Times" from. + -"Life and Letters" of. + -on minds of animals. + + Roots, heliotropism of. + -sensitive tip of. + + Roses, N. American species. + -bud-variation. + -raising from seed. + -resemblance of seedling moss-rose to Scotch. + -varieties of. + + Ross, Sir J. + + Rosse, Lord. + + Round Island, fauna and flora of. + + Roux's "Struggle of Parts in the Organism." + + Royal Commission on Vivisection. + + Royal Institution, lectures at. + + Royal medals. + + Royal Society, council meeting of. + + Royer, Mdlle., translatress of the "Origin." + + Royle, John Forbes (1800-58): was originally a surgeon in the H.E.I.C. + Medical Service, and was for some years Curator at Saharunpur. From 1837- + 56 he was Professor of Materia Medica at King's College, London. He wrote + principally on economic and Indian botany. One of his chief works was + "Illustrations of the Botany and other branches of the Natural History of + the Himalayan Mountains and of the Flora of Cashmere." (London, 1839.) + -letters to. + -mentioned. + + Rubiaceae, dimorphism in. + -fertilisation in. + + Rubus, N. American species. + -variation in. + -F. Darwin on roots of. + + Rubus and Hieracium, comparison of variability of N. American and + European species. + + Rucker. + + Rudimentary organs. + -in frogs. + -nascent and. + -variation of. + -in man. + -use in classification. + + Rudinger, Dr., on regeneration. + + Rue, flowers of. + + Ruffs, polygamy of. + + Rumex, germination of old seeds. + + Russia, forms of wheat cultivated in. + + Rutaceae, A. St.-Hilaire on difference in ovary of same plants of. + + Sabine, General Sir E. Sabine (1788-1883): President of the Royal + Society 1861-71. (See "Life and Letters," III., page 28.) + -address to Royal Society. + -award of Copley medal to Darwin during presidency of. + -recognition by Government. + -mentioned. + + Sabrina, elevation of. + + Sagitta. + + St. Dabeoc's heath, in Azores. + + St. Helena, Darwin suggests possibility of finding lost plants in earth + from. + -extinction in. + -Hooker on flora of. + -land-birds of. + -plants of. + -trees of. + -Darwin on craters of. + -geology of. + -subsidence in. + -White on hemiptera of. + + St.-Hilaire, A.F.C.P. de, on affaiblissement. + -erect and suspended ovules in same ovary. + -"Lecons de Botanique." + -Life of. + + St.-Hilaire, J.G., on monstrosities. + -author of "Life of A.F.C.P. de St.-Hilaire." + + St. Jago, Darwin on craters of. + -elevation of. + + St. Paul's rocks, plants of. + -geological structure. + + Saintpaulia, dimorphic flowers. + + St. Ventanao, conglomerates of. + + Salicaceae. + + Salicornia, bloom on. + + Salix, varieties of. + + Salsola Kali, bloom on. + + Salt water, effect on plants. + + Salter, on vitality of seeds after immersion in the sea. + + Saltus, Darwin's views on. + + Salvages, flora of the. + + Salvia, Hildebrand's paper on. + + Samara, Russian wheat sent to Darwin from. + + Samoyedes, power of finding their way in fog. + + Sandberger, controversy with Hilgendorf. + + Sanderson, Sir J.B., electrical experiments on plants. + -letters to. + -on vivisection. + + Sandwich Islands, absence of Alpine floras. + -flora of. + -Geranium of. + -Dana on valleys and craters. + -Galapagos and. + + Sanicula, occurrence of species in Azores. + -range of. + + Santa Cruz. + + Santorin, crater of. + -linear vent in. + -Lyell's account of. + + Saporta, Marquis de, (1823-95): devoted himself to the study of fossil + plants, and by his untiring energy and broad scientific treatment of the + subject he will always rank as one of the pioneers of Vegetable + Palaeontology. In addition to many important monographs on Tertiary and + Jurassic floras, he published several books and papers in which Darwin's + views are applied to the investigation of the records of plant-life + furnished by rocks of all ages. ("Le Marquis G. de Saporta, sa Vie et + ses Travaux," by R. Zeiller. "Bull. Soc. Geol. France," Volume XXIV., + page 197, 1896.) + -letters to. + -on rapid development of higher plants. + + Sargassum, Forbes on. + + Sarracenia. + + Savages, civilisation of. + -comparison between animals and. + -decrease of. + -Selection among. + + Saxifrages, destruction in Ireland of Spanish. + -formation of hairs in. + + Saxonika, form of Russian wheat. + + Scaevola, fertilisation mechanism of. + -S. microcarpa, fertilisation mechanism of. + + Scalesia. + + Scandinavia, Hooker on potency of flora. + -Blytt on distribution of plants of. + -elevation of. + + Scarlet fever, Darwin's dread of. + + "Scenery of Scotland," Sir A. Geikie's. + + Scepticism, Darwin on. + + Schimper, review by Hooker of "Paleontologie Vegetale" by. + + Schlagintweit. + + Schleiden, convert to Darwin's views. + + Schmankewitsch, experiments on Artemia by. + + Schobl, J., on ears of mice. + + Schoenherr, C.J. + + Schomburgk, Sir R., on Catasetum, Monacanthus, and Myanthus. + + School, Darwin at Mr. Case's. + -of Mines. + + Schrankia, a sensitive species of. + + Schultze, Max. + + Science, and superstition. + -progresses at railroad speed. + + Science Defence Association, Darwin asked to be president of. + + Scientific men, attributes of. + -domestic ties and work of. + -article in "Reader" on. + + Scientific periodicals, Darwin's opinion of. + + Scotland, forest trees of. + -comparison between flora of T. del Fuego and that of. + -elevation of. + -frequency of earthquakes in. + -land-glaciation of. + -tails of diluvium in. + + "Scotsman," Forbes' lecture published in. + -Darwin's letter on the Parallel Roads of Glen Roy in the. + + Scott, D.H., obituary notice of Nageli by. + + Scott, John (1838-80): Short obituary notices of Scott appeared in the + "Journal of Botany," 1880, page 224, and in the "Transactions of the Bot. + Soc. of Edinburgh" Volume XIV., November 11th, 1880, page 160; but the + materials for a biographical sketch are unfortunately scanty. He was the + son of a farmer, and was born at Denholm (the birthplace the poet Leiden, + to whom a monument has been erected in the public square of the village), + in Roxburghshire. At four years of age he was left an orphan, and was + brought up in his aunt's household. + He early showed a love of plants, and this was encouraged by his cousin, + the Rev. James Duncan. Scott told Darwin that he chose a gardening life as + the best way of following science; and this is the more remarkable inasmuch + as he was apprenticed at fourteen years of age. He afterwards (apparently + in 1859) entered the Royal Botanic Garden at Edinburgh, and became head of + the propagating department under Mr. McNab. His earliest publication, as + far as we are aware, is a paper on Fern-spores, read before the Bot. Soc., + Edinburgh, on June 12th, 1862. In the same year he was at work on orchids, + and this led to his connection with Darwin, to whom he wrote in November + 1862. In 1864 he got an appointment at the Calcutta Botanic Garden, a + position he owed to Sir J.D. Hooker, who was doubtless influenced by + Darwin's high opinion of Scott. It was on his way to India that Scott had, + we believe, his only personal interview with Darwin. + We are indebted to Sir George King for the interesting notes given below, + which enable us to form an estimate of Scott's personality. He was + evidently of a proud and sensitive nature, and that his manner was pleasing + and dignified appears from Darwin's brief mention of the interview. He + must have been almost morbidly modest, for Darwin wrote to Hooker (January + 24th, 1864): "Remember my URGENT wish to be able to send the poor fellow a + word of praise from any one. I have had hard work to get him to allow me + to send the {Primula} paper to the Linn. Soc., even after it was written + out!" And this was after the obviously genuine appreciation of the paper + given in Darwin's letters. Sir George King writes:— + "He had taught himself a little Latin and a good deal of French, and he had + read a good deal of English literature. He was certainly one of the most + remarkable self-taught men I ever met, and I often regret that I did not + see more of him...Scott's manner was shy and modest almost to being + apologetic; and the condition of nervous tension in which he seemed to live + was indicated by frequent nervous gestures with his hands and by the + restless twisting of his long beard in which he continuously indulged. He + was grave and reserved; but when he became interested in any matter he + talked freely, although always deliberately, and he was always ready to + deafen his opinions with much spirit. He had, moreover, a considerable + sense of humour. What struck me most about Scott was the great acuteness + of his powers of observing natural phenomena, and especially of such as had + any bearing on variation, natural selection or hybridity. While most + attentive to the ordinary duties of the chief of a large garden, Scott + always continued to find leisure for private study, and especially for the + conduct of experiments in hybridization. For the latter his position in + the Calcutta garden afforded him many facilities. + After obtaining a post in the Calcutta Botanic Gardens, Scott continued to + work and to correspond with Darwin, but his work was hardly on a level with + the promise of his earlier years. According to the "Journal of Botany," he + was attacked by an affection of the spleen at Darjeeling, where he had been + sent to report on the coffee disease. He returned to Edinburgh in the + spring of 1880, and died in the June of that year. + At the time of his death many experiments were in hand, but his records of + these were too imperfect to admit of their being taken up and continued + after his death. In temper Scott was most gentle and loveable, and to his + friends he was loyal almost to a fault. He was quite without ambition to + 'get on' in the world; he had no low or mean motives; and than John Scott, + Natural Science probably had no more earnest and single-minded devotee." + -correspondence with. + -criticism on the "Origin" by. + -letters to. + -on Natural Selection. + -on a red cowslip. + -confirms Darwin's work, also points out error. + -Darwin assists financially. + -Darwin's opinion of. + -Darwin offers to present books to. + -Darwin writes to Hooker about Indian appointment for. + -Darwin's proposal that he should work at Down as his assistant. + -Darwin suggests that he should work at Kew. + -on dispersal of seed of Adenanthera by parrots. + -on fertilisation of Acropera. + -a good observer and experimentalist. + -a lover of Natural History. + -observations on acclimatisation of seeds. + -on Oncidium flexuosum. + -letter to Darwin from. + -offered associateship of Linnean Society. + -on Imatophyllum. + -on self-sterility in Passiflora. + -on Primula. + -on sexes in Zea. + -mentioned. + + Scrope, P., on volcanic rocks. + + Scrophularineae. + + Scudder, on fossil insects. + + Sea, Dana underestimates power of. + -changes in level of land due to those of. + -marks left on land by action of. + + Seakale, bloom on. + + Seashore plants, use of bloom on. + + Sea-sickness, Darwin suffers from. + + "Seasons with the Sea Horses," Lamont's. + + Secondary period, abundance of Araucarias and Marsupials during. + -equality of elevation in British rocks of. + -insects prior to. + + Sections of earth's crust, need for accurate. + + Sedgwick, Prof. A., extract from letter to Owen from. + -letter to Darwin from. + -on the "Vestiges of Creation." + -and the Philosophical Society's meeting at Cambridge. + -and the "Spectator." + -Darwin's visit to. + -Feelings towards Darwin. + -on the structure of large mineral masses. + -proposes Forbes for Royal medal. + -quotation from letter to Darwin from. + -suggested as candidate for Royal medal. + -mentioned. + + Sedgwick, A., address at the British Association (1899). + + Sedimentary strata, conversion into schists. + + Sedimentation, connection with elevation and subsidence. + -near coast-lines. + + Seedlings, sensitiveness to light. + + Seeds, collected by girls in Prof. Henslow's parish. + -dispersal of. + -effect of immersion on. + -of furze. + -Asa Gray on Darwin's salt-water experiments. + -germination after 21 1/2 hours in owl's stomach. + -moss-roses raised from. + -peaches from. + -variation in. + -bright colours of fruits and. + -difficulty of finding in samples of earth. + -dormant state of. + -germination from pond mud. + -Hildebrand on dispersal of. + -mucus emitted by. + -stored by ants. + -supposed vivification of fossil. + -vitality of. + + Seeley, Prof. + + Seemann, on commingling of temperate and tropical plants in mountains of + Panama. + -on the "Origin" in Germany. + -mentioned. + + Segregation of minerals in foliated rocks. + + Selaginella, foot of, compared with organ in Welwitschia seedling. + + Selection, a misleading term. + -artificial. + -as means of improving breeds. + -importance of. + -influence of speedy. + -utilised by pigeon-fanciers. + -Sexual (see Sexual Selection). + -sterility and. + -unconscious. + -and variation. + -voluntary. + -and inheritance. + + Self-fertilisation, abundance of seeds from. + -Darwin's experiments on cross- and. + -evil results of. + -comparison between seeds from cross- and. + -in Goodeniaceae. + -in Orchids. + + Self-interest, Preston on. + + Self-sterility, in Eschscholtzia. + -in plants. + -connection with unnatural conditions. + + Selliera, Hamilton on fertilisation-mechanism. + + Semper, Karl (1832-93): Professor of Zoology at Wurzburg. He is known + for his book of travels in the Philippine and Pelew Islands, for his + work in comparative embryology, and for the work mentioned in the above + letter. See an obituary notice in "Nature," July 20th, 1893, page 271. + -letter to. + + Senecio. + -S. vulgaris, profits by cross-fertilisation. + + Sensitive plants, Darwin's work on. + + Sensitiveness, diversified kinds in allied plants. + + Separate creations, Darwin on. + + Sequoia. + + Seringe, on Aconitum flowers. + + Sertularia. + + Sethia, dimorphism of. + + Settegast, H., letter to. + + Severn, Darwin on floods of. + + Seward, A.C., "Fossil Plants as Tests of Climate." + + Sexes, colour, and difference in. + -proportion at birth. + -proportion in animals. + + Sexual likeness, secondary. + + Sexual organs, as collectors of generative elements. + -appendages in insects complemental to. + + Sexual reproduction, Galton on. + -bearing of F. Muller's work on essence of. + + Sexual Selection, Bates on. + -Darwin on. + -article in "Kosmos" on. + -colour and. + -man and. + -in moths and butterflies. + -subordinate to Natural Selection. + -Wallace on colour and. + -Wallace on difficulties of. + + Sexuality, Bentham on. + -in lower forms. + -origin of. + + Shanghai, tooth of Mastodon from. + + Sharp, David, on Bombus. + -on Volucella. + -"Insects." + + Sharpe, Daniel (1806-56): left school at the age of sixteen, and became + a clerk in the service of a Portuguese merchant. At the age of + twenty-four he went for a year to Portugal, and afterwards spent a + considerable amount of time in that country. The results of his + geological work, carried out in the intervals of business, were + published in the Journal of the Geological Society of London ("Quart. + Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume V., page 142; Volume VI., page 135). Although + actively engaged in business all his life, Sharpe communicated several + papers to the Geological Society, his researches into the origin of + slaty cleavage being among the ablest and most important of his + contributions to geology ("Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume III., page + 74; Volume V., page 111). A full account of Sharpe's work is given in + an abituary notice published in the "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." Volume + XIII., page xlv. + -on elevation. + -Darwin meets. + -letters to. + -on cleavage and foliation. + + Sharpey, W., letter from Falconer to. + -Honorary member of Physiological Society. + + Shaw, J., letter to. + + Sheep, varieties of. + + Sheldrake, dancing on sand to make sea-worms come out. + + Shells, Forbes and Hancock on British. + -distorted by cleavage. + -means of dispersal. + -protective colour of. + + Sherborn, C.D., "Catalogue of Mammalia" by A.S. Woodward and. + + Shetland, comparison between flora of T. del Fuego and that of. + + Shrewsbury, school. + + Siberia, Rhinoceros and steppes of central. + + Sicily, elephants of. + -flora of. + + Sidgwick, Prof. H. + + Siebold, von. + + Sigillaria, an aquatic plant. + + Silene, Gartner's crossing-experiments on. + + Silurian, comparison between recent organisms and. + -life of. + -Lingula from the. + -corals. + -volcanic strata. + + Simon, Sir John: he was for many years medical officer of the Privy + Council, and in that capacity issued a well-known series of Reports. + -reports by. + + Simple forms, existence of. + -survival of. + + Simpson, Sir J., on regeneration in womb. + + Siphocampylus. + + Sitaris, Lord Avebury on Meloe and. + + Siwalik hills. + + Skertchley, S.B.J., on palaeolithic flints in boulder-clay of E. Anglia. + -letter to. + + Skin, influence of mind on eruptions of. + + Slate, cleavage of schists and. + + Slave-ants, account in the "Origin" of. + + Sleep, plants' so-called. + + Sleep-movements, in plants. + -of cotyledons. + + Slime of seeds. + + Sloths. + + Smell, Ogle's work on sense of. + + Smerinthus populi-ocellatus, Weir on hybrid. + + Smilaceae, reference to genera of. + + Smilax, De Candolle on flower of. + + Smith, Goldwin. + + Smith, J., note on. + + Snails of Porto Santo. + + Snipe, protective colour of. + + Snow, red. + -geological action of frozen. + + Snowdon, elevation in recent times. + + Social instincts, actions as result of. + + Social plants, De Candolle on. + -in the U.S.A. + + "Sociology," H. Spencer's. + + Soda, nitrate beds. + + Soil, in relation to plant distribution. + + Solanaceae. + + Solanum rostratum, Todd on stamens of. + + Solenhofen, bird-creature from. + + Sollas, Prof., director of the Funafuti boring expedition. + -account of the boring operations by. + + Sonchus, introduced into New Zealand. + + Song, importance in animal kingdom. + + Sophocles, Prof., on expression of affirmation by Turks. + + Sorby, on metamorphism. + + Sound, and music. + + Southampton, British Association meeting (1846). + -Darwin on gravel deposits at. + -Darwin's visits to. + + Spanish chesnut, variation in leaf divergence. + + Spanish plants in Ireland. + -in La Plata. + + Spawn, dispersal of frogs'. + + Spean, terraces in valley of. + + Special ordination. + + Specialisation. + + Species, antiquity of plant-. + -belief in evolution of. + -changing into one another. + -creation of. + -Darwin recognises difficulties in and objections to his views on. + -definition of. + -descriptive work influenced by Darwin's views on. + -facts from Hooker bearing on. + -food as important factor in keeping up number of. + -frequency of. + -Asa Gray on. + -Hooker on. + -intermediate forms absent in close. + -little tendency during migration to form new. + -modification of. + -and monstrosities. + -mutability of. + -Nageli's views on. + -origin of (see Origin of Species). + -permanence of. + -Prichard on meaning of term. + -range of. + -representative. + -separate creation of. + -spreading of. + -sterility between allied. + -and sterility. + -time necessary to change. + -time of creation of new. + -variation of. + -Wallace on origin of. + -Walsh on modification of. + -Weismann on. + -Gaudry on affiliation of. + -Hackel on change of. + -isolation of. + -value of careful discrimination of. + + "Species not transmutable," Bree's book on. + + Specific character, Falconer on persistence of. + + Speculation, Darwin on. + + Spencer, H., Darwin on the advantage of his expression "survival of the + fittest." + -letter to. + -on electric organs. + -on genesis of nervous system. + -on survival of the fittest. + -Romanes on his theory of nerve-genesis. + -Wallace's admiration for. + -Darwin on his work. + -extract from letter to. + -mentioned. + + Spermacoce. + + Spey, terraces of. + + Sphagnum, parasitism of orchids on. + + Spiders, mental powers of. + -Moggridge on. + + Spiranthes, fertilisation of. + + Spiritualism, Darwin on. + + Sptizbergen, Lamont's book on. + -reindeer of. + + Sponges, Clark on classification of. + -Hackel's work on. + -F. Muller on. + + Spontaneous generation. + -Darwin's disbelief in. + -Huxley's disbelief in. + + Sports. + + Sprengel, (C.C.) Christian Konrad (1750-1816): was for a time Rector of + Spandau, near Berlin; but his enthusiasm for Botany led to neglect of + parochial duties, and to dismissal from his living. His well-known + work, "Das Entdeckte Geheimniss der Natur," was published in 1793. An + account of Sprengel was published in "Flora," 1819, by one of his old + pupils. See also "Life and Letters," I., page 90, and an article in + "Natural Science," Volume II., 1893, by J.C. Willis. + -on Passion-flowers. + + Stag-beetle, forms of. + + Stahl, Prof., on Desmodium. + -on transpiration. + + Stainton. + + Stanhope, Lord. + + Stanhopea, fertilisation of. + + Stapelia, fertilisation of. + + Starling, paired three times in one day. + + State-entomologist, appointment of in America, not likely to occur in + England. + + Statistics, of births and deaths. + -Asa Gray's N. American plant-. + + Steinheim, Lias rocks of. + + Stellaria media, cross-fertilisation of. + + Stephens, Miss Catherine: was born in 1794, and died, as the Countess of + Essex, in 1882. + + Sterile, use of term. + + Sterility, accumulation through Natural Selection. + -arguments relating to. + -artificial production of. + -between allied species aided by Natural Selection. + -connection with sexual differentiation. + -and crossing. + -domestication and loss of. + -experiments on. + -of hybrids. + -in human beings. + -Huxley on. + -increase of races and. + -laws governing. + -Natural Selection and. + -in pigeons. + -in plants (see also self-sterility). + -reciprocal crosses and unequal. + -selection and. + -variations in amount of. + -varieties and. + + Stirling, and Huxley. + + Stokes, Sir G. + + Strasburger, on fertilisation of grasses. + + Stratification, and cleavage. + + Strephium, vertical position of leaves. + + Strezlecki. + + Strickland, H., letters to. + -on zoological nomenclature. + + Stripes, loss and significance of. + + Structural dissimilarity, and sterility. + + Structure, external conditions in relation to. + + Struggle for existence. + -and crossing. + -factors concerned in. + -and hybrids. + -J. Scott on. + + Strychnos, F. Muller on. + + Student, Darwin as an Edinburgh. + + Studer, Bernhard: Several of Studer's papers were translated and published + in the "Edinburgh New Phil. Journ." See Volume XLII., 1847; Volume XLIV., + 1848, etc. + -on cleavage and foliation. + + "Studien zur Descendenz-Theorie," Weismann's. + + "Studies in the Theory of Descent," Meldola's translation of Weismann's + book. + + "Study of Sociology," H. Spencer's. + + Stur, Dionys (1827-93): Director of the Austrian Geological Survey from + 1885 to 1892; author of many important memoirs on palaeobotanical subjects. + + Style, Darwin on. + -Darwin on Huxley's. + -effect of controversy on. + + Suaeda, bloom on. + + Submergence. + + Subsidence, evidence of. + -coral reefs and. + -and elevation. + -equable nature of. + -large areas simultaneously affected by. + -in oceans. + -and sedimentation. + -volcanic action. + + Subterranean animal, existence in Patagonia of supposed. + + Subularia, fertilisation of. + + Succession of types. + + Sudden appearance of organisms, due to absence of fossils in pre- + Cambrian rocks. + + Sudden jumps, modification by. + -Darwin's disbelief in. + + Suess, "Antlitz der Erde." + + Suffolk Crag, comparison with recent strata. + + Sugar-cane, Barber on hybrids of. + -new varieties of. + + Sulivan, Admiral, on Patagonia. + + Superficial deposits, geological nature of. + + Supernumerary members. + -amputation followed by regeneration of. + + "Survival of the fittest," Darwin on use of the expression. + -Wallace on the expression. + -sharpness of thorns the result of. + -colour of birds and. + + Swainson, on wide range of genera. + + Switzerland, Tyndall on valleys of. + + Sydney. + + Symonds, William Samuel (1818-87): a member of an old West-country + family, was an undergraduate of Christ's College, Cambridge, and in 1845 + became Rector of Pendock, Worcestershire. He published in 1858 a book + entitled "Stones of the Valley;" in 1859 "Old Bones, or Notes for Young + Naturalists;" and in 1872 his best-known work, "Records of the Rocks." + Mr. Symonds passed the later years of his life at Sunningdale, the house + of his son-in-law, Sir Joseph Hooker. (See "Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc." + Volume XLIV., page xliii.) + -on imperfection of geological record. + + Tacsonia, Darwin on flowers of. + -fertilisation by humming-birds. + -Scott's work on. + + Tahiti, coral reefs of. + -Darwin on. + + Tails of diluvium, in Scotland. + + Tait, Prof. P.G., article in "North British Review." + -on age of world. + + Tait, L., letters to. + + Tait, W.C., letter to. + -on rudimentary tails in dogs and Manx cats. + -sends Drosophyllum to Darwin. + + Talbot, Mrs. E., letter to. + + Tandon, Moquin, "Elements de Teratologie Vegetale." + + Tankerville, Lord. + + Tasmania, comparison between floras of New Zealand and. + -Hooker's Flora of. + -trees of. + + Taylor, W., "Life and Correspondence" of. + + Tears, and muscular contraction. + + Tees, Hooker on glacial moraines in valley of. + + Tegetmeier, W.B., assistance rendered to Darwin by. + -letters to. + + Telegraph-plant (see also Desmodium). + + "Telliamed" (de Maillet), evolutionary views of. + + Tendrils, morphology of. + + Teneriffe, flora of. + -violet of Peak of. + -Webb and Humboldt on zones of. + + Tennent, Sir J.E., on elephants' tears. + -on Utricularia. + + Tentacles, aggregation of protoplasm in cells of plant-. + + Teodoresco, on effect of excess of CO2 on vegetation. + + Teratology, Masters on vegetable. + -Moquin Tandon on. + + Terebratula. + + Termites compared with cleistogamic flowers. + -F. Muller's paper on. + + Terraces, Darwin on Patagonian. + + Tertiary, Antarctic continent, Darwin on existence of. + -Mastodon from Shanghai. + -flora in Madeira. + + Tertiary period, action of sea and earth-movement. + -island floras of the. + -Saporta's work on plants. + -succession of types during the. + -Prestwich's work on. + + Testimonials, Darwin on. + + Tetrabranchiata, Hyatt on the. + + Thayer's "Letters of Chauncey Wright." + + Theologians, Huxley on. + + Theological articles, by Asa Gray. + + Theology, Darwin's opinion on. + + Theorising, observing and. + + Theory, Darwin's advice to Scott to be sparing in use of. + + Thibet, Hooker prohibited crossing into. + + Thierzucht, Settegast's. + + Thiselton-Dyer, Lady. + + Thiselton-Dyer, Sir W., assists Darwin in bloom-experiments. + -Darwin signs his certificate for Royal Society. + -lecture on plant distribution as field for geographical research. + -letter to "Nature" from. + -notes on letter from Darwin to Bentham. + -on partial submergence of Australia. + -letters to. + -extract from letter to. + -on Darwin. + + Thiselton-Dyer, Sir W., and Prof. Dewar, on immersion of seeds in liquid + hydrogen. + + Thlaspi alpestre, range of. + + Thompson, Prof. D'Arcy, prefatory note by Darwin to his translation of + H. Muller's book. + + Thompson, W., natural-historian of Ireland. + + Thomson, Sir W., see Kelvin, Lord. + + Thomson, Sir Wyville, on Natural Selection. + -mentioned. + + Thomson, review of Jordan's "Diagnoses d'especes" by. + + Thorns, forms of. + + "Three Barriers," theological hash of old abuse of Darwin. + + Thury on sex. + + Thwaites, Dr. G.H.K. (1811-82): held for some years the post of Director of + the Botanic Gardens at Peradenyia, Ceylon; and in 1864 published an + important work on the flora of the island, entitled "Enumeratio Plantarum + Zeylaniae." + -on Ceylon plants. + -letters to. + -on the "Origin." + + Thymus. + + Tieghem, Prof. van, on course of vessels in orchid flowers. + -on effect of flashing light on plants. + + Tierra del Fuego, flora of. + -comparison with Glen Roy. + -evidence of glaciers in. + -micaschists of. + + Time, and evolutionary changes. + -geological. + -meaning of millions of years. + -Niagara as measure of geological. + -rate of deposition as measure of. + -Wallace on geological. + + "Times," article by Huxley in. + -letter by Fitz-Roy in. + + Timiriazeff, Prof. + + Timor, Mastodon from. + + Toad, power of Indian species to resist sea-water. + + Tobacco, Kolreuter on varieties of. + + Todd, on Solanum rostratum. + + "Toledoth Adam," title of book on evolution by N. Lewy. + + Torbitt, J., experiments on potatoes, and letter to. + + Torquay, Darwin's visit to. + + Tortoises, conversion of turtles into land-. + + Tortugas, A. Agassiz on reefs of. + + Toryism, defence of. + + Toucans, colour of beaks in breeding season. + + Trachyte, separation of basalt and. + + Tragopan. + + Traill, experiments on grafting. + + Transfusion experiments, by Galton. + + Translations of Darwin's books. + + Transplanting, effect on Alpine plants. + + Transport, occasional means of. + + Travels, Bates' book of. + -Humboldt's. + -Wallace's. + + Travers, H.H., on Chatham Islands. + + Trecul, on Drosera. + + Trees, herbaceous orders and. + -occurrence in islands. + -older forms more likely to develop into. + -Asa Gray on. + -conditions in New Zealand favourable to development of. + -crossing in. + -separate sexes in. + + Treub, M., on Chalazogamy. + + Treviranus, Prof., on Primula longiflora. + + Trifolium resupinatum, Darwin's observations on bloom on leaflets. + + Trigonecephalus. + + Trilobites, change of genera and species of. + + Trimen, on painting butterflies. + + Trimorphism, in plants. + + Trinidad, Catasetum of. + -Cruger on caprification in. + + Triphaena (Triphoea) pronuba, robin attracted by colour of. + + Tristan d'Acunha, Carmichael on. + -vegetation of. + + Triticum repens var. littorum, bloom-experiments on. + + Trollope, A., quotation by Darwin from. + + Tropaeolum, Darwin's experiments on. + -peloric variety of. + -waxy secretion on leaves. + + Tropical climate, in relation to colouring of insects. + + Tropical plants, possible existence during cooler period. + -retreat of. + + Tropics, climatic changes in. + -description of forests in. + -similarity of orders in. + + Tubocytisus, Kerner on. + + Tuckwell, on the Oxford British Association meeting (1860). + + Tucotuco. + + Tuke, D.H., on influence of mind on body. + -letter to. + + Tulips. + + Turkey, colour of wings, and courtship. + -muscles of tail of. + + Turner, Sir W., Darwin receives assistance from. + -on Darwin's methods of correspondence. + -letters to. + + Turratella. + + Turtles, conversion into land-tortoises. + + Tussilago, Darwin on seeds of groundsel and. + + Twins, Galton's article on. + + Tylor, article in "Journal of the Royal Institution" by. + -on "Early History of Mankind." + + Tyndall, lack of caution. + -lecture by. + -on the Alps. + -review in the "Athenaeum" of. + -on valleys due to glaciers. + -work of. + -dogmatism of. + -on glaciers. + -on Sorby's work on cleavage. + -mentioned. + + Typhlops. + + Typical forms, difficult to select. + -vagueness of phrase. + + Typotherium, Falconer on. + + Tyrol, Mojsisovics on the Dolomites of the. + + Umbelliferae, morphological characters of. + -difference in seeds from the same flower. + + Undulation of light, comparison between Darwin's views and the theory + of. + + Ungulates, development in N. America during Tertiary period. + + United States, flora of. + -spread of Darwin's views in. + + Unity of coloration, Walsh on. + + Uredo, on Haematoxylon. + + Ursus arctos, Lamont on. + -U. maritimus, Lamont on. + + Urticaceae. + + Uruguay. + + D'Urville, on Canary Islands. + + Use and disuse. + -in plants. + + Uses, Natural Selection and. + + Uspallata. + + Utilitarianism, Darwin on. + + Utility and inheritance. + + Utopian "Flora," Darwin's idea of. + + Utricularia, Darwin's work on. + -U. stellaris, Sir E. Tennent on. + + Vaginulus, Darwin finds new species of. + + Valeriana, two forms of. + + Valleys, action of ice in formation of. + -Dana on Australian. + -Darwin on origin of. + + Valparaiso. + + Van Diemen's Land, flora of, in relation to New Zealand. + + Vanda. + + Vandeae, structure of ovary. + + Vanessa, two sexual forms of. + -breeding in confinement. + -colour of. + + Vanilla. + + Variability, backward tendency of. + -Bentham on. + -causes of. + -De Candolle on. + -dependent more on nature of organism than on environment. + -Huxley and Scott on. + -importance of subject of cause of. + -Natural Selection and. + -in oaks. + -greater in bisexual than in unisexual plants. + -of ferns "passes all bounds." + -greater in male than female. + -in ovaries of flowers. + -tendency of genera at different periods towards. + + Variation. + -an innate principle. + -Bates on. + -in blackbirds. + -causes of. + -centrifugal nature of. + -checked by Natural Selection. + -climate and. + -Darwin attaches importance to useless. + -Darwin on favourable. + -divergence of. + -and external conditions. + -in elephants. + -in Fucus. + -of large genera. + -laws of. + -of monotypic and polytypic genera. + -and monstrosities. + -and Natural Selection. + -ordination and. + -in peaches. + -in plants. + -produced by crossing. + -rate of action of. + -of small genera. + -sterility advantageous to. + -Weismann on. + -galls as cause of. + -and loss of dimorphism in Primula and Auricula. + -Sexual Selection and minute. + -transmission to sexes. + -Verlot on. + -Wallace on. + + "Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication," completion of. + -delay in publication. + -Lyell on. + -translation of. + -Wallace's opinion of. + -Darwin at work on. + + Varieties, accumulation of. + -distinction between species and. + -fertility of. + -in insects. + -in large genera. + -of molluscs. + -production of. + -species the product of long series of. + -use of. + -Wallace on. + -elimination by crossing. + -zoologists neglect study of. + + Vaucher, "Plantes d'Europe." + + "Vegetable Teratology," Masters'. + + Vegetative reproduction, Darwin on. + + Veitch, J. + + Velleia, fertilisation mechanism of. + + Verbascum, crossing and varieties in. + -Scott's work on. + + Verbenaceae. + + Verlot, on variation in flowers. + + Veronica, Antarctic species of. + + Vessels, course of, as guide to morphology of flowers. + + "Vestiges of Creation," Huxley's review of. + -the "Origin of Species" and. + -Vetch, extra-floral nectaries of. + + Vetter, editor of "Kosmos." + + Viburnum lantanoides, in Japan and east U.S.A. + + Victoria Street Society for Protection of Animals against Vivisection, + charge brought against Dr. Ferrier by. + + Villa Franca, Baron de, on varieties of sugar-cane. + + Villarsia. + + Vine, graft-hybrids of. + -varieties of. + -morphology of tendrils. + + Viola, ancestral form of. + -cleistogamic flowers of. + -pollen-tubes of. + -Madagascan. + -Pyrenean. + -on Peak of Teneriffe. + -V. canina, fertilisation of. + -V. nana. + -V. odorata, floral biology of. + + Virchow, Huxley's criticism of. + -publication by Hackel of Darwin's criticism of. + + Viscum. + + Vitality of seeds, in salt-water experiments. + + Viti group of islands, effect of subsidence. + + Vivisection. + + Vochting, H., "Bewegung der Bluthen und Fruchte." + -letter to. + -"Organbildung im Pflanzenreich." + + "Volcanic Geology," Dana's. + + Volcanic islands, polymorphic species in. + -Darwin's geological observations on. + -Darwin's opinion of his book on. + -Lyell and Herschel on. + -relation to continents. + + Volcanic phenomena, cause of. + -Darwin on. + -and elevation. + -as mere accidents in swelling up of dome of plutonic rocks. + -and subsidence. + + Volcanic rocks. + + Volcano, in interior of Asia. + + Volcanoes, in S. America. + -compared with boilers. + -maritime position of. + -of St. Jago, Mauritius, and St. Helena. + -simultaneous activity of. + -and subsidence. + + Volucella, as example of mimicry. + + Vries, H. de, on plant-movements. + + Vulcanicity. + + Wagner, M., attacks Darwin. + -essay by. + -mentioned. + + "Wahl der Lebens-Weise." + + Wahlenberg, on variation of species in U.S.A. + + Wales, Darwin's visit to. + -comparison of valleys of Lochaber and. + -Darwin on glaciers of. + -elevation of land in Scotland and. + -Murchison sees no trace of glaciers in. + -Ramsay on denudation of S. + + Wallace, A.R., on beauty. + -criticises the expression, "Natural Selection." + -Darwin on cleverness of. + -letters to. + -letters to Darwin from. + -on Mastodon from Timor. + -notes by. + -on pangenesis. + -review of Bastian's "Beginnings of Life." + -on sterility. + -on success of Natural Selection. + -attributes Natural Selection to Darwin. + -on colour and birds' nests. + -Darwin's criticism of his "Geographical Distribution of Animals." + -differs from Darwin. + -on evolution of man. + -"Island Life." + -on wings of lepidoptera. + -review of Darwin's book on Expression. + -review of Lyell's "Principles of Geology." + -on Round Island. + -same ideas hit on by Darwin and. + -supplies information to Darwin on Sexual Selection. + -on variation. + -at work on narrative of travels. + + Wallace, Dr., on sexes in Bombyx. + -on caterpillars. + + Wallich, on Oxyspora paniculata. + + Wallis, H.M., on ears. + -letters to. + + Walpole. + + Walsh, Benjamin Dann: was born at Frome, in England, in 1808, and died in + America in 1869, from the result of a railway accident. He entered at + Trinity College, Cambridge, and obtained a fellowship there after being + fifth classic in 1831. He was therefore a contemporary of Darwin's at the + University, though not a "schoolmate," as the "American Entomologist" puts + it. He was the author of "A Historical Account of the University of + Cambridge and its Colleges," London, 2nd edition, 1837; also of a + translation of part of "Aristophanes," 1837: from the dedication of this + book it seems that he was at St. Paul's School, London. He settled in + America in 1838, but only began serious Entomology about 1858. He never + returned to England. + In a letter to Mr. Darwin, November 7th, 1864, he gives a curious account + of the solitary laborious life he led for many years. "When I left England + in 1838," he writes, "I was possessed with an absurd notion that I would + live a perfectly natural life, independent of the whole world—in me ipso + totus teres atque rotundus. So I bought several hundred acres of wild land + in the wilderness, twenty miles from any settlement that you would call + even a village, and with only a single neighbor. There I gradually opened + a farm, working myself like a horse, raising great quantities of hogs and + bullocks...I did all kinds of jobs for myself, from mending a pair of boots + to hooping a barrel." After nearly dying of malaria, he sold his land at a + great loss, and found that after twelve years' work he was just 1000 + dollars poorer than when he began. He then went into the lumber business + at Rock Island, Illinois. After seven years he invested most of his + savings in building "ten two-storey brick houses for rent." He states that + the repairs of the houses occupied about one-fourth of his time, and the + remainder he was able to devote to entomology. He afterwards edited the + "Practical Entomologist." In regard to this work he wrote (February 25th, + 1867):—"Editing the 'Practical Entomologist' does undoubtedly take up a + good deal of my time, but I also pick up a good deal of information of real + scientific value from its correspondents. Besides, this great American + nation has hitherto had a supreme contempt for Natural History, because + they have hitherto believed that it has nothing to do with the dollars and + cents. After hammering away at them for a year or two, I have at last + succeeded in touching the 'pocket nerve' in Uncle Sam's body, and he is + gradually being galvanised into the conviction that science has the power + to make him richer." It is difficult to realise that even forty years ago + the position of science in Illinois was what Mr. Walsh describes it to be: + "You cannot have the remotest conception of the ideas of even our best- + educated Americans as to the pursuit of science. I never yet met with a + single one who could be brought to understand how or why a man should + pursue science for its own pure and holy sake." + Mr. L.O. Howard ("Insect Life," Volume VII., 1895, page 59) says that + Harris received from the State of Massachusetts only 175 dollars for his + classical report on injurious insects which appeared in 1841 and was + reprinted in 1842 and 1852. It would seem that in these times + Massachusetts was in much the same state of darkness as Illinois. In the + winter of 1868-9 Walsh was, however, appointed State Entomologist of + Illinois. He made but one report before his death. He was a man of + liberal ideas, hating oppression and wrong in all its forms. On one + occasion his life was threatened for an attempt to purify the town council. + As an instance of "hereditary genius" it may be mentioned that his brother + was a well-known writer on natural history and sporting subjects, under the + pseudonym "Stonehenge." The facts here given are chiefly taken from the + "American Entomologist" (St. Louis, Mo.), Volume II., page 65. + -as entomologist. + -letters to. + -letter to Darwin from. + -death of. + -and C.V. Riley. + + Warming, E., "Lehrbuch der okologischen Pflanzengeographie." + + Washingtonia. + + Wasps, power of building cells. + + Water, effect on leaves (see also Rain). + + Water-weed, Marshall on. + + Waterhouse, George Robert (1810-88): held the post of Keeper of the + Department of Geology in the British Museum from 1851 to 1880. + -review by Darwin of his book on Mammalia. + -on skeletons of rabbits. + -on wide range of genera. + -mentioned. + + Waterloo, Darwin's recollections of. + + Waterton. + + Watson, H.C., alluded to. + -on the Azores. + -on British agrarian plants. + -on northward range of plants common to Britain and America. + -objection to Darwin's views. + -on Natural Selection. + -mentioned. + + Waves, depth of action of. + + Wax, secretion on leaves (see also Bloom). + + Wealden period. + + Weale, J.P.M., sends locust dung from Natal to Darwin. + + Webb, on flora of Teneriffe. + + Wedgwood, Elizabeth. + + Wedgwood, Emma (Mrs. Darwin), letter to. + + Wedgwood, Hensleigh: brother-in-law to Charles Darwin. + -Darwin visits. + -influenced by Lyell's book on America. + -on Tyndall. + + Wedgwood, Josiah, letter to. + + Weeds, adaptation to cultivated ground. + -English versus American. + -Asa Gray on pertinacity of. + + Weeping, physiology of. + + Weir, H.W., on Cytisus. + + Weir, Mr. John Jenner (1822-94): came of a family of Scotch descent; in + 1839 he entered the service of the Custom House, and during the final + eleven years of his service, i.e. from 1874 to 1885, held the position + of Accountant and Controller-General. He was a born naturalist, and his + "aptitude for exact observation was of the highest order" (Mr. M'Lachlan + in the "Entomologist's Monthly Magazine," May 1894). He is chiefly + known as an entomologist, but he had also extensive knowledge of + Ornithology, Horticulture, and of the breeds of various domestic animals + and cage-birds. His personal qualities made him many friends, and he + was especially kind to beginners in the numerous subjects on which he + was an authority ("Science Gossip," May 1894). + -experiments on caterpillars. + -letters to. + -extract from letter to Darwin from. + -on birds. + -invited to Down. + -value of his letters to Darwin. + -mentioned. + + Weismann, A., Darwin asked to point out how far his work follows same + lines as that of. + -on dimorphism. + -"Einfluss der Isolirung." + -letters to. + -Meldola's translation of "Studies in Descent." + -"Studies in Theory of Descent." + -faith in Sexual Selection. + + Wellingtonia. + + Wells, Dr., essay on dew. + -quoted by Darwin as having enunciated principle of Natural Selection + before publication of "Origin." + + Welwitschia, Hooker's work on. + -Darwin on. + -a "vegetable Ornithorhynchus." + + Welwitschia mirabilis, seedlings of. + + Wenlock, coral limestone of. + + West Indies, plants of. + -coral reefs. + -elevation and subsidence of. + -orchids of. + + Westminster Abbey, memorial to Lyell. + + "Westminster Review," Huxley's review of the "Origin" in. + -Wallace's article. + + Westwood, J.O. (1805-93): Professor of Entomology at Oxford. The Royal + medal was awarded to him in 1855. He was educated at a Friends' School + at Sheffield, and subsequently articled to a solicitor in London; he was + for a short time a partner in the firm, but he never really practised, + and devoted himself to science. He is the author of between 350 and 400 + papers, chiefly on entomological and archaeological subjects, besides + some twenty books. To naturalists he is known by his writings on + insects, but he was also "one of the greatest living authorities on + Anglo-Saxon and mediaeval manuscripts" ("Dictionary of National + Biography"). + -on range of genera. + -and Royal medal. + -mentioned. + + Whales, Flower on. + + Wheat, mummy. + -fertilisation of. + -forms of Russian. + + Whewell, W. + + Whiston. + + Whitaker, W., on escarpments. + + White, F.B., letter to. + -on hemiptera of St. Helena. + + White, Gilbert, Darwin writes an account of Down in the manner of. + + White, on regeneration. + + Whiteman, R.G., letter to. + + Whitney, on origin of language. + + Wichura, Max, on hybrid willows. + -on hybridisation. + + Widow-bird, experiments on. + + Wiegmann. + + Wiesner, Prof. J., disagrees with Darwin's views on plant movement. + "Das Bewegungsvermogen der Pflanzen." + -on heliotropism. + -letter to. + + Wigand, A., "Der Darwinismus..." + -Jager's work contra. + + Wight, Dr., on Cucurbitaceae. + + Wilberforce, Bishop, review in the "Quarterly." + + Wildness of game. + + Wilkes' exploring expedition, Dana's volume in reports of. + + Williamson, Prof. W.C. + + Willis, J.C., reference to his "Flowering Plants and Ferns." + + Willows, Walsh on galls of. + -Wichura on hybrid. + + Wilson, A.S., letters to. + -on Russian wheat. + + Wind-fertilised trees and plants, abundant in humid and temperate + regions. + + Wingless birds, transport of. + + Wings of ostrich. + + Wire-bird, of St. Helena. + + Witches' brooms. + + Wives, resemblance to husbands. + + Wollaston, Thomas Vernon (1821-78): Wollaston was an under-graduate at + Jesus College, Cambridge, and in late life published several books on + the coleopterous insects of Madeira, the Canaries, the Cape Verde + Islands, and other regions. He is referred to in the "Origin of + Species" (Edition VI page 109) as having discovered "the remarkable fact + that 200 beetles, out of the 550 species (but more are now known) + inhabiting Madeira, are so far deficient in wings that they cannot fly; + and that, of the twenty-nine endemic genera, no less than twenty-three + have all their species in this condition!" See Obituary Notice in + "Nature," Volume XVII., page 210, 1878, and "Trans. Entom. Soc." 1877, + page xxxviii.) "Catalogue" (Probably the "Catalogue of the Coleopterous + Insects of the Canaries in the British Museum," 1864.) + -catalogue of insects of Canary Islands. + -Darwin and Royal medal. + -in agreement with Falconer in opposition to Darwin's views on species. + -"Insecta Maderensia." + -on rarity of intermediate varieties in insects. + -review on the "Origin" by. + -on varieties. + -mentioned. + + Wolverhampton, abrupt termination of boulders near. + + Wood, fossil. + + Wood, T.W., drawings by. + + Woodcock, germination of seeds carried by. + -protective colouring of. + + Woodd, C.H.L., letter to. + + Woodpecker, adaptation in. + -and direct action. + -form of tail of. + + Woodward, A.S., on Neomylodon. + -and C.D. Sherborn, "Catalogue of British Fossil Vertebrata." + + Woodward, Samuel Pickworth (1821-65): held an appointment in the British + Museum Library for a short time, and then became Sub-Curator to the + Geological Society (1839). In 1845 he was appointed Professor of Geology + and Natural History in the recently founded Royal Agricultural College, + Cirencester; he afterwards obtained a post as first-class assistant in the + Department of Geology and Mineralogy in the British Museum. Woodward's + chief work, "The Manual of Mollusca," was published in 1851-56. ("A Memoir + of Dr. S.P. Woodward," "Trans. Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society," + Volume III., page 279, 1882. By H.B. Woodward.) + -letters to. + + World, age of the. + + Worms, Darwin's work on. + -destruction by rain of. + -intelligence of. + + Wrangel's "Travels in Siberia." + + "Wreck of the 'Favourite'," Clarke's. + + Wright, C., on bees' cells. + -letters to. + -review by. + + Wright, G.F., extract from letter from Asa Gray, to. + + Wydler, on morphology of cruciferous flower. + + Wyman, Jeffries (1814-74): graduated at Harvard in 1833, and afterwards + entered the Medical College at Boston, receiving the M.D. degree in + 1837. In 1847 Wyman was appointed Hervey Professor of Anatomy at + Harvard, which position he held up to the time of his death. His + contributions to zoological science numbered over a hundred papers. + (See "Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts and Sciences," Volume II., 1874-75, pages + 496-505.) + -letter from. + -on spontaneous generation. + -mentioned. + + Xenogamy, term suggested by Kerner. + + Xenoneura antiquorum, Devonian insect. + + Xerophytic characters, not confined to dry-climate plants. + + Yangma Valley, Hooker's account of dam in. + + Yeo, Prof. Gerald. + + Yew, origin of Irish. + + York, British Association meeting (1881), (1844). + -Dallas in charge of museum. + + Yorkshire, Hooker on glaciers in. + + Yucca, fertilisation by moths. + + Zacharias, Otto, letter to. + + Zante, colour of Polygala flowers in. + + Zea, Gartner's work on. + -hermaphrodite and female flowers on a male panicle. + -varieties received from Asa Gray. + + Zeiller, R., "Le Marquis G. de Saporta, sa Vie..." + + Zinziberaceae. + + Zittel, Karl A. von, "Handbuch der Palaeontologie." + + Zoea stage, in life-history of decapods. + + Zoological Gardens, dangerous to suggest subsidising. + + Zoological nomenclature. + + Zoologist, Darwin as. + + "Zoonomia," Erasmus Darwin's. + + Zygaena (Burnet-moth), mentioned by Darwin in his early recollections. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume +II, by Charles Darwin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MORE LETTERS OF CHARLES DARWIN *** + +***** This file should be named 2740-h.htm or 2740-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/4/2740/ + +Produced by Sue Asscher, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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