From J. H. Kidder 5 June 1876
Smithsonian Institution | Washington, D.C.
June 5th. 1876
Dear Sir:
In sending you herewith copies of Bulletins No. 2 & 3, National Museum, containing some notes upon the Natural History of Kerguelen Island, I beg leave to invite your attention particularly to the Study of chionis minor (pp. 85–86 & 114).1
The study is based upon, or rather was suggested by, a passing remark of yours in the “Voyage of a Naturalist”, the accuracy and prevision of which have been fully borne out by this investigation.2 We think that there is good ground for the opinion that this bird represents an ancestral form, intermediate between the plover-snipe and gull-petrel groups, and from which both have descended.
Certainly, whether or not it be true that Kerguelen Island is one of the few surviving peaks of a great Antarctic continent, it would be difficult to devise conditions more fitted for the permanence of ancient forms, undisturbed by variation, than are there to be found. Dr. Hooker long ago (184Σ) commented upon its surprising richness in new floral genera & species (many of them peculiar to the island), and the close resemblance of its Flora to that of S. America, although Africa is so much nearer at hand.3 The recent Transit of Venus expeditions have shown peculiarities and anomalies as remarkable pertaining to its Fauna, and especially in the class of Insects, tied down by their structure to the soil.
The field has by no means yet been thoroughly explored, as is plainly shown by the number of different forms obtained by the various collectors of the different parties, and it is very much to be hoped that this spot, so peculiarly isolated & set apart, as if for the purpose of illustrating the Origin of Species, may soon be thoroughly examined with a view solely to the knowledge of its Natural History.
I am, sir, with great respect, | very sincerely yours | J. H. Kidder | Surgeon U.S. Navy
Footnotes
Bibliography
Hooker, Joseph Dalton. 1844–7. Flora Antarctica. 1 vol. and 1 vol. of plates. Pt 1 of The botany of the Antarctic voyage of HM discovery ships Erebus and Terror in the years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. London: Reeve Brothers.
Journal of researches 2d ed.: Journal of researches into the natural history and geology of the countries visited during the voyage of HMS Beagle round the world, under the command of Capt. FitzRoy RN. 2d edition, corrected, with additions. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1845.
Journal of researches: Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by HMS Beagle, under the command of Captain FitzRoy, RN, from 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Henry Colburn. 1839.
Kidder, Jerome Henry. 1875–6. Contributions to the natural history of Kerguelen Island, made in connection with the American transit-of-Venus expedition, 1874–5. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 1 (1877) nos. 2 and 3: 1–51, 1–122.
Newton, Alfred. 1893–6. A dictionary of birds. Assisted by Hans Gadow, with contributions from Richard Lydekker, Charles S. Roy, and Robert W. Shufeldt. 4 parts. London: Adam and Charles Black.
Ross, James Clark. 1847. A voyage of discovery and research in the southern and Antarctic regions, during the years 1839–43. 2 vols. London: John Murray.
Summary
Sends his papers ["Contributions to the natural history of Kerguelen Island", U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 1, nos. 2, 3 (1876)], which are inspired by Journal of researches.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-10533
- From
- Jerome Henry Kidder
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Smithsonian Institution
- Source of text
- DAR 169: 10
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 10533,” accessed on 29 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-10533.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 24