To Charles Lyell 13 April [1857]1
Down Bromley Kent
Ap. 13th
My dear Lyell
I have been particularly glad to see Wollaston’s letter.2 The news did not require any breaking to me; for though as a general rule I am much opposed to the Forbesian continental extensions, I have no objection whatever to its being proved in some cases. Not that I can admit that W. has by any means proved it; nor, I think, can anyone else, till we know something of the means of distribution of insects.—3 But the close similarity or identity of the two Faunas is certainly very interesting.— I am extremely glad to hear that your Madeira paper is making progress; & I shall be most curious to see. I shd. be infinitely obliged for a separate copy, whenever printed.—4
My health has been very poor of late, & I am going in a week’s time for a fortnight of hydropathy & rest.—5 My everlasting species-Book quite overwhelms me with work— It is beyond my powers, but I hope to live to finish it.—
Farewell | My dear Lyell | Ever yours | C. Darwin
Footnotes
Bibliography
Wollaston, Thomas Vernon. 1857. Catalogue of the coleopterous insects of Madeira in the collection of the British Museum. London: By order of the Trustees.
Summary
CD returns a letter from Wollaston.
Although opposed to the Forbesian doctrine [of continental extension] as a general rule, CD would have no objection to its being proved in some cases. Does not think Wollaston has proved it; nor can anyone until more is known about the means of distribution of insects – but the identity of the two faunas is certainly interesting.
His health is very poor and his "everlasting species-Book" quite overwhelms him with work. It is beyond his powers, but he hopes to live to finish it.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-2077
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Charles Lyell, 1st baronet
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections (Gen.109/702)
- Physical description
- ALS 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 2077,” accessed on 1 September 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-2077.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 6