To F. S. Arnold 31 December [1878]1
Dec. 31st.
Dear Sir
I do not think that the two passages essentially contradict each other, but if I had to write them again I would owing to your criticism slightly modify them.2 The forms which most jostle each other I believe to be generally “varieties of the same species, & species of the same genus or of related genera”.— I would now insert “closely related genera”. In the other passage (p. 89) the forms which are able to live when exposed to severe competition are not varieties of the same species or sub-species but “belong to what we call distinct genera and orders”.— I would now add “quite distinct genera” or something to the same effect. But I know well that I often fail to think clearly & to express myself clearly.
Footnotes
Bibliography
Origin 6th ed.: The origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. 6th edition, with additions and corrections. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.
Summary
Responds to criticism concerning varieties, species, and genera.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-11813
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Francis Sorell Arnold
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 143: 21
- Physical description
- C 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 11813,” accessed on 29 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-11813.xml