From T. V. Wollaston1 [c. 27 June 1856]2
sure that practically the greater number of them would be at once allowed. Thus, for instance, if a particular island (e.g. the Dezerta Grande) is found to be for the most part more productive of large states than islands alongside it (as may be proved by the fact of intermediate links in each of the various islands,—the tendency of the mass being merely, in that especial locality, to assume a gigantic bulk), it would seem unreasonable to regard a form on that rock as specifically distinct from its European analogue simply because it is a trifle larger than the latter.—3 And so, in other cases.—
As regards the smallness of size as in some measure accounted for by the unnatural in-breeding which a minute area must of necessity entail,—I can conceive it possible that the power of production may continue unchecked, (so as to cause the existence of large nos. of individuals), & yet the race deteriorate. Will not this stand the test of analysis?
Loss of flight v. Increase of Bulk. The conclusion seems to me rather the other way. If either of the above are unequal (on the compensation theory), I should imagine that the loss of so essential an organ as the wings was greater than the gain in stature. This indeed I rather assumed throughout, & therefore expressed my belief that it was only a “partial compensation” [wh. ] the
CD annotations
Footnotes
Bibliography
Wollaston, Thomas Vernon. 1856. On the variation of species with especial reference to the Insecta; followed by an inquiry into the nature of genera. London: John van Voorst.
Summary
On the relationship of the loss of the powers of flight [in Coleoptera] to increase of bulk.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-1912A
- From
- Thomas Vernon Wollaston
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Source of text
- DAR 205.3: 300
- Physical description
- inc 2pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 1912A,” accessed on 25 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-1912A.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 6