From Henry Holland 15 January [1862]1
Brook Street
Jany 15
My dear Charles.
I have read with very great interest your Paper on the sexual relations of the two Forms of the Primula.2 You are right in speaking of the result of these observations as a most surprising fact;3 for such in truth it is, in every sense & sort— A fact, moreover, tending to expound various anomalies, which surround this great problem of the propagation of life.
The essential mystery of generation,—(whether of the like or unlike)—may never be solved. I can myself see no road to it. But researches of this kind carry us closer to the point; & better define, that which our faculties may be unable to reach
I am sorry to hear from Erasmus4 of the subjugation of yourself & all your family, by this Epidemic, which we call Influenza. It continues to be very rife both in London & the country. My theory of it, is the same I have more fully propounded for Asiatic Cholera.5
I have still no letter from Lord Tankerville.6 But that I think he will be in Town for the meeting of Parliament, when I can see him personally, I would take the chance of sending another letter.
Ever your’s very truly | H Holland
Footnotes
Bibliography
Collected papers: The collected papers of Charles Darwin. Edited by Paul H. Barrett. 2 vols. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press. 1977.
Correspondence: The correspondence of Charles Darwin. Edited by Frederick Burkhardt et al. 29 vols to date. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985–.
‘Dimorphic condition in Primula’: On the two forms, or dimorphic condition, in the species of Primula, and on their remarkable sexual relations. By Charles Darwin. [Read 21 November 1861.] Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society (Botany) 6 (1862): 77–96. [Collected papers 2: 45–63.]
Summary
Has read CD’s Primula paper.
Regrets to hear that CD and family are victims to the influenza epidemic.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-3390
- From
- Henry Holland, 1st baronet
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- London, Brook St
- Source of text
- DAR 166.2: 239
- Physical description
- ALS 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 3390,” accessed on 18 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-3390.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 10