To G. H. Darwin 23 November [1880]1
[Down.]
My dear George—
I am extremely glad about the ripples; but you do not explain how they form long, continuous lines. Do they start on any little projection, & do your eddies, acting laterally carry them on transversely to the stream.2
I cannot remember having seen drift snow rippled. I think that rippled sand has been seen at 20 fathoms depth, where the water was very clear near the Channel Islds— I daresay your visualising is correct—anyhow my memory now-a-days is worth nothing & I ought not to have trusted to it— If I have hr. to spare I will look to photographs.—3 I heard from old Anthony Rich the other day & he says that “my friend, George, if he will permit me to call him so”, ought to spend the winter in Rome, as he found it did his health such wonderful good.—4
I am delighted to hear that light is dawning on the Planetary system in your eyes.—
How goes on the Pendulum.—5
Good night my dear George | C. D.—
Nov 23d.
Footnotes
Bibliography
Darwin, George Howard. 1907–16. Scientific papers. 5 vols. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Summary
Discusses GHD’s ripple theory. Asks him how they are formed.
Delighted to hear that light is dawning in GHD’s eyes on the planetary system.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-12844
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- George Howard Darwin
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 210.1: 99
- Physical description
- ALS 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 12844,” accessed on 28 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-12844.xml