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What is an experiment?

Summary

Darwin is not usually regarded as an experimenter, but rather as an astute observer and a grand theorist. His early career seems to confirm this. He began with detailed note-taking, collecting and cataloguing on the Beagle, and edited a descriptive zoology…

Matches: 22 hits

  • Darwin is not usually regarded as an experimenter, but rather as an astute
  • was of course kept secret and worked upon for decades, as Darwin collectedall kinds of facts’ …
  • and acquire specimens for his own use. A portrait of Darwin in 1849 shows him with a specimen
  • rather than experimentation. According to this view, Darwin was aphilosophical naturalistwhose
  • than morphological affinity. The two-fold division of Darwins science between observation
  • authorities who could do the more advanced work of theory. Darwin contributed to this movement, …
  • institutional heads like Joseph Dalton Hooker and Asa Gray. Darwin adopted a perspective of great
  • publications. The final picture that we then have of Darwin is that of a gentleman naturalist, able
  • a tradition on the wane, and it was gradually eclipsed in Darwins own lifetime by the more
  • is the sharp distinction between observation and theory. Darwin would be the first to defend the
  • men, with a curb on make far the best observers’ ( letter to C. H. L. Woodd , 4 March 1850 ). He
  • speculation there is no good & original observation’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 22 December
  • that were made to further substantiate evolutionary theory. Darwin was also greatly heartened by the
  • a highly controlled space with specialized equipment. In Darwins day this was by no means the case. …
  • sometimes to refer to naturally occurring phenomena. Darwin clearly regarded many of his domestic
  • miniature (small plots of land). Experimentation in Darwins day was not the monopoly of
  • and poultry fanciers, landowners, architects, and writers. Darwin sought the advice of an engineer
  • Scott). In his choice of correspondents and collaborators, Darwin valued patience, caution, and
  • and Michael Foster. A final feature to note about Darwins experimental life is the pleasure
  • … ‘I have become very fond of little experiments’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, [21 March 1857] ; …
  • … ‘all nature is perverse & will not do as I wish it’ ( letter to W. D. Fox, 7 May [1855] ). But
  • at Science … & am never happy except when at work’ ( letter to J. M. Herbert, 25 December [1880

Darwin’s reading notebooks

Summary

In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to read in Notebook C (Notebooks, pp. 319–28). In 1839, these lists were copied and continued in separate notebooks. The first of these reading notebooks (DAR 119…

Matches: 26 hits

  • In April 1838, Darwin began recording the titles of books he had read and the books he wished to
  • … (DAR 119) opens with five pages of text copied from Notebook C and carries on through 1851; the
  • used these notebooks extensively in dating and annotating Darwins letters; the full transcript
  • … *128). For clarity, the transcript does not record Darwins alterations. The spelling and
  • book had been consulted. Those cases where it appears that Darwin made a genuine deletion have been
  • a few instances, primarily in theBooks Readsections, Darwin recorded that a work had been
  • of the books listed in the other two notebooks. Sometimes Darwin recorded that an abstract of the
  • to be Read [DAR *119: Inside Front Cover] C. Darwin June 1 st . 1838
  • … [DAR *119: 2v.] Whites regular gradation in man [C. White 1799] Lindleys
  • 8 vo  p 181 [Latreille 1819]. see p. 17 Note Book C. for reference to authors about E. Indian
  • in brutes Blackwood June 1838 [J. F. Ferrie 1838]. H. C. Watson on Geog. distrib: of Brit: …
  • … [Reimarius 1760] The Highlands & Western Isl ds  letter to Sir W Scott [MacCulloch 1824
  • Generale. Iside. St Hilaire [I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1841]— Some wonderful facts on Hybrids read
  • … [Butler 1736] Life & corresp. of Beethoven [Schindler 1841] Locke on Education
  • … } Hist of India— [Elphinstone 1841 and ?Macpherson 1812] Macphersons
  • Lee Scots Narrative of Shipwreck in China [J. L. Scott 1841] Lockarts Life of Burns
  • French [Ségur 1825] Catlins Indians [Catlin 1841].— L d . Dudleys Correspondence
  • 183440]: In Portfolio ofabstracts34  —letter from Skuckard of books on Silk Worm
  • M rs  Frys Life [Fry 1847] Horace Walpoles letter to C t . of Ossory [Walpole 1848] …
  • … [Fellows 1839] Catherine 48 Life of Collins R.A. [Collins 1848] Phases of Faith
  • Asiatic Society ]—contains very little Macleays letter to D r  Fleming [Macleay 1830] …
  • … [Heer 1854].— Hooker has it.— Very important Hookers letter Jan. 1859 Yules Ava [Yule 1858] …
  • 1848Memoirs of the life of William   Collins, Esq., R.A.  2 vols. London.  *119: 23; 119: …
  • by Richard Owen.  Vol. 4 of  The works of John Hunter, F.R.S. with notes . Edited by James F. …
  • Robert. 1843Memoirs of the life of John   Constable, R.A., composed chiefly of his letters. …
  • Peacock, George. 1855Life of Thomas Young, M.D., F.R.S.  London.  *128: 172; 128: 21

Darwin in letters, 1837–1843: The London years to 'natural selection'

Summary

The seven-year period following Darwin's return to England from the Beagle voyage was one of extraordinary activity and productivity in which he became recognised as a naturalist of outstanding ability, as an author and editor, and as a professional…

Matches: 25 hits

  • The seven-year period following Darwin's return to England from the Beagle  voyage was one
  • a family Busy as he was with scientific activities, Darwin found time to re-establish family
  • close contact. In November 1838, two years after his return, Darwin became engaged to his cousin, …
  • daughter, Anne Elizabeth, moved to Down House in Kent, where Darwin was to spend the rest of his
  • his greatest theoretical achievement, the most important of Darwins activities during the years
  • identifications of his bird and fossil mammal specimens, Darwin arrived at the daring and momentous
  • ideas on a wide range of topics. Then, in September 1838, T. R. Malthus’  An essay on the principle
  • in species. With this new theoretical point of departure Darwin continued to make notes and explore
  • present in the version of 1859. Young author Darwins investigation of the species
  • Fossil Mammalia , by Richard OwenMammalia , by G. R. WaterhouseBirds , by John Gould;  …
  • publications. The beetles were described by F. W. Hope, G. R. Waterhouse, and C. C. Babington; the
  • 1837a and 1838; W. J. Hooker and G. A. W. Arnott 1836, 1841; J. D. Hooker 18447, 1845, 1846, 18535
  • letters have suffered an even more severe loss. In a letter to Lyells sister-in-law, Katharine
  • of fact . . . on the origin & variation of species” ( Letter to J. S. Henslow, [November 1839] …
  • that he had a sound solution to what J. F. W. Herschel in a letter to Lyell had called themystery
  • about searching for evidence to support his hypothesis. In a letter to Lyell, [14] September [1838
  • sub-laws.' To his cousin, W. D. Fox, [25 January 1841] , he wrote: 'If you
  • all crosses between all domestic birds & animals dogs, cats &c &c very valuable—' …
  • on literature in this field and on friends like Henslow, T. C. Eyton, and W. D. Fox, who were
  • the practice of systematists. As the correspondence with G. R. Waterhouse during the 1840s shows, …
  • just the same, though I know what I am looking for' ( Letter to G. R. Waterhouse, [26 July
  • there were no doubts as to how one ought to act’ ( Letter from Emma Darwin, [  c.  February 1839] …
  • … [20 February 1840] , ‘as usual has been my enemybut D r . Holland tells me he thinks it is only
  • for several months (See  Correspondence  vol. 1, letter to Caroline Darwin, 13 October 1834 , …
  • his stays at Shrewsbury and Maer during the summers of 1841 and 1842 show that he was making

Darwin’s hothouse and lists of hothouse plants

Summary

Darwin became increasingly involved in botanical experiments in the years after the publication of Origin. The building of a small hothouse - a heated greenhouse - early in 1863  greatly increased the range of plants that he could keep for scientific…

Matches: 23 hits

  • Towards the end of 1862, Darwin resolved to build a small hothouse at Down House, forexperimental
  • hothouse early in 1863 marked something of a milestone in Darwins botanical work, since it greatly
  • book (Down House MS) and  Correspondence  vol5, letter to JD. Hooker, 19 April [1855] ). …
  • Though his greenhouse was probably heated to some extent, Darwin found himself on several occasions
  • make observations and even experiments on his behalf. Darwins decision to build a hothouse
  • its sensitivity to touch (see  Correspondence  vol10, letter to JD. Hooker, 12 [December
  • his employers hothouses over the previous two years. In a letter of 24 December [1862] ( …
  • Encyclopedia of gardening  (Loudon 1835), a copy of which Darwin signed in 1841 (see the copy in
  • of heat’ (p1100). The latter was the sense in which Darwin used the word. The building of
  • accounts (Down House MS)). When it was completed, Darwin told Turnbull that without Horwoods aid he
  • he had had, he wouldprobably have made a mess of it’ (letter to GH. Turnbull, [16? February
  • addingI shall keep to curious & experimental plants’ (letter to JD. Hooker, 13 January
  • of Westerham, with whom he had dealt over many years. In his letter to Hooker, Darwin mentioned that
  • of the plants you want before going to Nurserymen’ (letter from JD. Hooker, [15 January 1863] ) …
  • I shall avoid[,] of course I must not have from Kew’ (letter to JD. Hooker, 30 January [1863] ) …
  • him: ‘I long to stock it, just like a school-boy’ (letter to JDHooker, 15 February [1863] ). …
  • which I wished for, but which I did not like to ask for’ (letter to JD. Hooker, [21 February
  • continuing: ‘Do you not think you ought to be sent with M r  Gower to the Police Court?’ (William
  • had4 houses of different temperatures’ (letter to WC. Tait, 12 and 16 March [1869] ,  …
  • which he received in mid-February (see letter from LC. Treviranus, 12 February 1863 ). …
  • …  The reference is to James Bateman, an orchid specialist (RDesmond 1994). 17.  Stylidium
  • …       Chæmatostigma.       …
  • Cyanophyllum magnificum M  r  Low 29 | of Melastomaceæ …

Darwin’s observations on his children

Summary

Charles Darwin’s observations on the development of his children, began the research that culminated in his book The Expression of the emotions in man and animals, published in 1872, and his article ‘A biographical sketch of an infant’, published in Mind…

Matches: 28 hits

  • Charles Darwins observations on the development of his children,[1began the
  • is available below . As with much of his other work, Darwin gathered additional information on the
  • lunatics, the blind, and animals. And as early as 1839 Darwin had begun to collect information on
  • the expression of emotions. As the following transcript of Darwins notes reveals, he closely
  • William Erasmus, the stages of his development suggesting to Darwin those expressions which are
  • The tone of the manuscript reflects an aspect of Darwins character clearly perceived by Emma during
  • … “What does that prove”.’[6For in these notes, Darwins deep scientific curiosity transcends his
  • that on occasion he refers to William asit’. Darwin possessed the ability to dissociate
  • memories.[8Yet, though the dissociation was essential for Darwins scientific goal, the notes here
  • Parallels in the development of Anne Elizabeth, born 2 March 1841, were also recorded during this
  • the record breaks off until January 1852, by which time the Darwin family had increased by five: …
  • the onset of frowning, smiling, etc., as was the focus of Darwins attention on William and Anne, …
  • of logical thought and language. On 20 May 1854, Darwin again took over the notebook and, …
  • all the notes until July 1856, when the observations ceased. Darwins later entries, like Emmas, …
  • Transcription: 1 [9W. Erasmus. Darwin born. Dec. 27 th . 1839.—[10During first week. …
  • of muscles, without a corresponding sensation. D r . Holland[12informs me children do not
  • box but not to scold at it—[36] 27  January. 1841. When eight months old, & for some
  • on page after next) [31v.] 30  Feb. 20 th . [1841]— Was amused & laughed out, at my
  • our door N o  12 and N o  11 is in the slit for the Letter box.— he decidedly ran past N o  11
  • has learned them from my sometimes changing the first letter in any word he is usingthus I say
  • trowsers. Emma one morning put on an unconspicuous bonnet of C. Langton,[52W. instantly observed
  • she added an s to the end of every wordEttis & Bettis &c afterwards all the ws were turned
  • goed dawn to the willage”. Fish for Smith. Kaw for cow. &c. Lenny[612 years old speaks
  • any thing with my egg. Miss Th. Shall I cut up y r  meat? L. I dont care whether you do or
  • … “But I could not help it”— I saidLenny you c d  help it, dont say that”. “I could not help it a
  • … , pp. 1312. [6Correspondence  vol. 2, letter from Emma Wedgwood, [23 January 1839] . …
  • written in pencil by CD and subsequently overwritten by Emma Darwin. The transcription throughout
  • were added considerably later; Anne Elizabeth was born in 1841 and Henrietta Emma in 1843. Mrs Locke

Bibliography of Darwin’s geological publications

Summary

This list includes papers read by Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the geology of the Beagle voyage, and other publications on geological topics.  Author-date citations refer to entries in the Darwin Correspondence Project’s…

Matches: 13 hits

  • This list includes papers read by Darwin to the Geological Society of London, his books on the
  • topicsAuthor-date citations refer to entries in the Darwin Correspondence Projects cumulative
  • given to reprints available in John van Wyhe ed.,  Charles Darwins shorter publications, 1829-1883
  • numbers refer to R. B. Freemans standard bibliography of Darwins works. —Extracts from
  • of His Majestys Ship Beagle, commanded by Capt. FitzRoy, R.NProceedings of the Geological
  • on the Coast of BrazilPhilosophical Magazine  19 (1841): 257-60.  [ Shorter publications , pp
  • FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836 . By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1842. …
  • F1660.] —Remarks on the preceding paper, in a letter from Charles Darwin, Esq., to Mr. …
  • FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836.  By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1844. …
  • FitzRoy RN, during the years 1832 to 1836By Charles Darwin. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1846. …
  • The structure and distribution of coral reefs . By Charles Darwin. Revised edition. London: Smith, …
  • History of Science  24: 13357. Stoddart, David R. 1976. Darwin, Lyell, and the geological
  • On the history of geology: Greene, Mott C. 1982Geology in the nineteenth century . …

Darwin in letters, 1864: Failing health

Summary

On receiving a photograph from Charles Darwin, the American botanist Asa Gray wrote on 11 July 1864: ‘the venerable beard gives the look of your having suffered, and … of having grown older’.  Because of poor health, Because of poor health, Darwin…

Matches: 23 hits

  • On receiving a photograph from Charles Darwin, the American botanist Asa Gray wrote on 11 July
  • … … of having grown older’. This portrait, the first of Darwin with his now famous beard, had been
  • 52 hours without vomiting!! In the same month, Darwin began to consult William Jenner, …
  • prescribed a variety of antacids and purgatives, and limited Darwins fluid intake; this treatment
  • the dimorphic aquatic cut-grass  Leersia . In May, Darwin finished his paper on  Lythrum
  • he had set aside the previous summer. In October, Darwin let his friends know that on his
  • and he received more letters of advice from Jenner. In a letter of 15 December [1864] to the
  • November and December were also marked by the award to Darwin of the Royal Societys Copley Medal; …
  • been unsuccessfully nominated the two previous years. As Darwin explained to his cousin William
  • observations indoors ( Correspondence  vol. 11). In a letter of [27 January 1864] , Darwin
  • gradation by which  leaves  produce tendrils’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, [8 February 1864] ). …
  • fearfully for it is a leaf climber & therefore sacred’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, 2 June [1864] …
  • matters which routinists regard in the light of axioms’ ( letter from Daniel Oliver, [17 March 1864
  • long series of changes . . .’ When he told Asa Gray in a letter of 29 October [1864] that he was
  • …  paper was published, Darwin remarked to Hooker in a letter of 26 November [1864] that nothing
  • of the two species with the common oxlip. In a letter of 22 October [1864] , Darwin triumphantly
  • thesplendid case of Dimorphismin  Menyanthes  ( letter from Emma and Charles Darwin to W. E. …
  • this interest. At the start of the year, he received a letter, insect specimens, and an article on
  • that it wasthe best medicine for my stomach’ ( letter to Daniel Oliver, 17 February [1864] ). …
  • at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, in 1862 with a letter regarding the fertilisation of the
  • 5 September 1864 ). Fritz Müeller sent his bookFür Darwin , and Darwin had it translated by a
  • but Lyell says when I read his discussion in the Elements [C. Lyell 1865] I shall recant for fifth
  • on intellectual &ampmoral  qualities’ ( letter to A. R. Wallace, 28 [May 1864] ). …

Darwin in letters, 1844–1846: Building a scientific network

Summary

The scientific results of the Beagle voyage still dominated Darwin's working life, but he broadened his continuing investigations into the nature and origin of species. Far from being a recluse, Darwin was at the heart of British scientific society,…

Matches: 23 hits

  • results of the  Beagle  voyage still dominated Darwin's working life, but throughout these
  • species and varieties. In contrast to the received image of Darwin as a recluse in Down, the letters
  • Down House was altered and extended to accommodate Darwins growing family and the many relatives
  • The geological publications In these years, Darwin published two books on geologyVolcanic
  • papers for all these organisations. Between 1844 and 1846 Darwin himself wrote ten papers, six of
  • Government grant was exhausted ( Correspondence  vol. 2, letter to A. Y. Spearman, 9 October 1843, …
  • not (it is like confessing a murder) immutable Darwins earlier scientific friendships
  • friends, with the addition of Hooker, were important to Darwin foramong other thingsthey were the
  • scientific issues that arose out of his work on species. Darwin discussed his ideas on species
  • Only two months after their first exchange, early in 1844, Darwin told Hooker that he was engaged in
  • are not (it is like confessing a murder) immutable’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, [11 January 1844] ). …
  • correspondence that his close friends were not outraged by Darwins heterodox opinions and later in
  • But although eager for the views of informed colleagues, Darwin was naturally protective of his
  • the essay of 1844 to read (see  Correspondence  vol. 4, letter to J. D. Hooker, 8 [February 1847]) …
  • candidate, known to be working on species and varieties, was Darwin himself: as he told his cousin
  • the book to him. But, as his letters to Hooker show, Darwin carefully considered and then rejected
  • Natural selection Perhaps the most interesting letter relating to Darwins species theory, …
  • to his wife Emma, dated 5 July 1844 , just after Darwin had completed the final draft of his
  • who would undertake to see the work through the press. Darwin also listed possible editors: at first
  • this end should be denied him. After prolonged illnesses in 1841 and 1842, years poorly represented
  • Darwin not only used his personal notes and records but, by letter, marshalled the resources of
  • of the laws of creation, Geographical Distribution’ ( letter to J. D. Hooker, [10 February 1845] ) …
  • with drawings of his first dissection. The barnacle—‘M r  Arthrobalanusin Hookers and Darwins

Satire of FitzRoy's Narrative of the Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle, by John Clunies Ross. Transcription by Katharine Anderson

Summary

[f.146r Title page] Voyages of the Adventure and Beagle Supplement / to the 2nd 3rd and Appendix Volumes of the First / Edition Written / for and in the name of the Author of those / Volumes By J.C. Ross. / Sometime Master of a…

Matches: 28 hits

  • N o II of the foresaid works. By Captain Robert Fitzroy R.N. In the first Edition Mr
  • he is ready to admitthat althomany Captains R.N. do not hesitate to (unofficially) give the
  • obtain such a one I was (in a manner) compelled to take Mr Darwin on a far too independent footing. …
  • of this Supplement exhibit evidence to that effectin Mr Darwins instanceespecially in respect
  • to be noticed. Being of course ambitious to rival Mr Darwin in the line of Theory-invention – …
  • … – with the exception of one of the classwhich Mr Darwin bribed the Aborigines to performwe
  • of the Chainthis result has in fact occurred in 1841 to the British shipJohn Orton of
  • I therefore hit upon the expedient of giving it to Mr Darwin to put into his Volume. Heresaid
  • to the soils of the coral formation. Nevertheless Mr Darwin (doubtless from his not looking
  • and very pretty view.” Now bearing in mind that Mr Darwin is exceedinglyfondof dry bones
  • my fairness of statement that I have thus recapitulated Mr Darwins sentimentsalbeitso adverse
  • to which I allude are the following. J.C.R. [column continues across
  • calledthe Hippomanesand gave the command to R.C. Ross (brother to Mr J.C. Ross) the same who
  • rice could be obtainedwhen being aware from Captain R.C. Ross of his brother (Mr Ross') …
  • he had the honour of having made whilst commanding the H.C.C. Mary Ann under his Government of Java
  • a moment longer to come home as he deserved to do.” That letter they shewed to Mr Ross and requested
  • establishing another Harem at Batavia.” IX Mr Darwin's volume of the Adventure and
  • to somewhere else” – so now readyour brother's letter and then we may have something sure to
  • wrote to him immediately before leaving for Sumatraa letter calculated to elicit something
  • … – not all exaggeratedand Mr R sent him back with a letter [ f.183r p.73 ] as he proposed. …
  • was not of any profitable description but of what Mr H in letter to Mr R denominatedfiddle faddle” …
  • to a note from Mr H concerning the last mentioned fugitive a letter whichMr H sent to Mr R – …
  • … ] The three or four runaways mentioned in the forgoing letter had run to apply to Mr Rossand on
  • sole reference to Malaysseeing, that he (an M.A. & F.R.S. – who isor has been, Secretary
  • to addmy brother Knight) Sir Edward BelcherCaptain R.N. ^to wit^ To his performances in that
  • marked in pencil233ff. Mar, 1908 E.W.J. / Examined by C.J.G.”] *[1] The Sage
  • Isles. They accordingly selected Mr R. M. WicheloPurser R.N. – but who had after the peace
  • otherwise than fromLeisks representations. (Signed J.C.R. …