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Darwin Correspondence Project

From J. F. Simpson   18 March 1882

59 Norfolk Terrace | Bayswater W.

Mar 18. 1882

Dear Sir

I ought perhaps to apologise for my present intrusion especially remembering your remarks in your last kind communication.1 The reference however I hope may be made, even if there ended finally. It is in relation to worms. In recently clearing out my little garden I reserved two (as I imagine) unique “castings”. The larger one however is falling to pieces notwithstdg having steeped it in gum solution. Its height I make still = 2 inches (some having—naturally crumbled away) with diam: = 212 ins about. In your work, I find the extraordinary ones of Figs 2. 3 & 4 to measure respectively in heights 258ths, 312, & 2 inches.2 The one I have by me therefore seems very large. Excuse my naming this little fact to you & with respectful Compts

Believe me yours faithfully J. F. Simpson

To Dr Darwin F.R.S.

Footnotes

CD’s letter has not been found. The most recent extant letter from Simpson was that of 15 January 1882, but his earlier letter of 7 January 1882 was about his observations of worm-castings in his garden.
For the figures of worm-castings, see Earthworms, pp. 107, 124, and 127.

Bibliography

Earthworms: The formation of vegetable mould through the action of worms: with observations on their habits. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1881.

Summary

Sends his measurement of an unusually large worm-casting.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-13728
From
James Frederick Simpson
To
Charles Robert Darwin
Sent from
London, Norfolk Terrace, 59
Source of text
DAR 64.2: 103
Physical description
ALS 1p

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 13728,” accessed on 25 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-13728.xml

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