From F. T. Buckland 27 February 1868
37 Albany St
Feb 27 | 1868
My Dear Sir—
It affords me great pleasure to think that my humble writings are of use to such a ‘Commanding officer’ as yourself1
Mr Lee took the score of the fish. I send you another copy.2 There are always more Cocks than hens with Salmon & Trout caught in the net in the winter—but more Lady than gentlemen Salmon caught with Fly in the Summer— Please also recollect that the Smolts that stay in the upper water have something to do in the way of reproduction All the male smolts have ripe milt the female smolts never any eggs. & yet each drop of the sperm fluid contains thousands of spermatozoa. I always give my eggs lots of milt because I fancy nature would not have made more cocks than hens if they were not wanted—
Then again—after spawning many cocks die—few hens. this looks as though nature said now you have done your work— “die & make room—for younger males”. The old kelts are the fellows that die not many grilse kelts—
I send you a paper that may be of use.3 I took no notice of it & I forget the date
Do you know a French book “L’Act de procrier un fils ou une (daughter) a voluntier” or words to that effect.4 I think I have a copy somewhere. I shall take the liberty of sendin you my official report on “Close seasons” & shall be grateful for any remarks.5
Yours obed |F Buckland
I will set this matter going in Land & Water6
C Darwin Esq
There are generally more Boar than Sow Rats. I used to breed hundreds.7 Write J Bush Esq Clapham Retreat Union Road Clapham a first class fellow I gave him my stock & he goes on breeding He is Treasurer to Acclimatisation Society8
CD annotations
Footnotes
Bibliography
Descent: The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871.
Summary
On the proportion of sexes in salmon, trout, and rats. [see Descent 1: 305, 308.]
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-5946
- From
- Francis Trevelyan (Frank) Buckland
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- salmon Fisheries Office, Westminster
- Source of text
- DAR 86: A46–8b
- Physical description
- ALS 8pp †
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 5946,” accessed on 28 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-5946.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 16