To F. M. Wedgwood 5 March [1860–9]1
Down Bromley Kent
March 5th
My dear Fanny
I do not know the shell in question, but I have very little doubt that it is a Pholas, for I was assured in S. America that they were excellent eating.2 The shell lives in holes in rock. It is very delicate & fragile, of a whitish colour; & the animal’s body protrudes at the two ends.—
I am extremely much obliged for the very interesting specimens of the blind cave animals: after I have examined them (& I am in no hurry, though particularly glad to see them) I will present them in your name to the British Museum, for they are too good for a private collection. The fish in itself, besides its blindness, is a very remarkable animal.—3
Emma tells me she has already written to say how glad we shall be to see you here, & with my best thanks, I am yours affectionately | Ch. Darwin
Footnotes
Bibliography
Origin 3d ed.: On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. 3d edition, with additions and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1861.
Origin: On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1859.
Wedgwood, Barbara and Wedgwood, Hensleigh. 1980. The Wedgwood circle, 1730–1897: four generations of a family and their friends. London: Studio Vista.
Summary
Thanks for a shell of an edible mollusc and also specimens of blind cave animals, which he will present in FW’s name to the British Museum.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-5984F
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Frances Mosley (Fanny Frank) Mosley/Frances Mosley (Fanny Frank) Wedgwood
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- Alan Wedgwood (private collection)
- Physical description
- ALS
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 5984F,” accessed on 28 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-5984F.xml