From Thomas Rivers 21 January 1863
Summary
Sends some trees to CD.
Would be pleased to receive the copy of Origin offered by CD as gift.
Will give CD any tree or shrub he may want.
Refers to curious strawberry hybrids noticed in Journal of Horticulture [I. Anderson-Henry, "Crossing strawberries", J. Hortic. n.s. 4 (1863): 45–6].
Author: | Thomas Rivers |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 21 Jan 1863 |
Classmark: | DAR 176: 160 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3933 |
From Thomas Rivers 26 January 1863
Summary
Thanks CD for Origin.
TR has often thought naturalists do not pay enough attention to the effect of site, soil, and climate on animals and plants and "hence has arisen the enormous number of so-called species".
His observations on people of different counties.
Author: | Thomas Rivers |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 26 Jan 1863 |
Classmark: | DAR 176: 161 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3946 |
From Thomas Rivers 30 January 1863
Summary
Asks CD’s views on TR’s observations that leaves breathe from their under-surfaces.
Peach-trees in hothouses cannot be kept in health unless fresh air is admitted so as to make its way under the leaves.
Continues his observations on the effect of environment on men – those migrating to America gradually assuming Indian-like features.
Author: | Thomas Rivers |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 30 Jan 1863 |
Classmark: | DAR 176: 162 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3955 |
From Thomas Rivers [3 February 1863]
Author: | Thomas Rivers |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [3 Feb 1863] |
Classmark: | DAR 46.1: 95 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3965 |
To Thomas Rivers 7 January [1863]
Summary
Thanks for parcel of shoots with several interesting cases of "bud-variation".
Asks for information about roses.
Strange that great changes in peaches are less rare than slight ones and no case seems recorded of new apples or pears or apricots by "bud-variation". "How ignorant we are!"
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | 7 Jan [1863] |
Classmark: | DAR 185: 81 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3906 |
To Thomas Rivers 11 January [1863]
Summary
Thanks for "rich and valuable" letter [missing].
Has read TR’s paper in Gardeners’ Chronicle ["Seedling fruits – plums", (1863): 27] – "a treasure to me".
Questions about seedling peaches that approach almonds.
Asks whether TR has ever observed varieties of plants growing close to other varieties for several generations without being affected by crossing.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | 11 Jan [1863] |
Classmark: | DAR 185: 82 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3910 |
To Thomas Rivers 15 January [1863]
Summary
Particularly interested in TR’s information about peaches. Accepts offer of double-flowering peach-trees.
Will build a small hothouse for experiments.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | 15 Jan [1863] |
Classmark: | DAR 185: 83 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3918 |
To Thomas Rivers 17 [January 1863]
Summary
Can TR distinguish generally, always, or never, a nectarine-tree from a peach-tree before it flowers or before it fruits? He wants to quote TR’s answer.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | 17 [Jan 1863] |
Classmark: | John Wilson (dealer) (Catalogue 61, 21 July 1989, item 50) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3922 |
To Thomas Rivers 25 January [1863]
Summary
Has received the two trees sent by TR. Is anxious to see the fruit of the double peach.
The Origin is being sent.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | 25 Jan [1863] |
Classmark: | Maggs Brothers (dealers) (catalogue 1086) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3942 |
To Thomas Rivers 1 February [1863]
Summary
Answers TR’s query about stomata.
CD will use "weeping trees" as an example of how inexplicable the laws of inheritance are, and asks for facts on character of seedlings.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | 1 Feb [1863] |
Classmark: | Sotheby’s (dealers) (23–4 July 1987) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3962 |
To Thomas Rivers [14 February 1863]
Summary
Delighted by curious case of inheritance in the weeping ash [cited in missing letter from TR] "which produced weeping seedlings and itself lost the weeping peculiarity!" Wishes he could get authentic information on the weeping elm.
What TR says of seedlings conquering each other well illustrates struggle for existence and natural selection.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | [14 Feb 1863] |
Classmark: | 19th Century Shop (dealers) (catalogue 5, 1988) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3982 |
To Thomas Rivers 5 March [1863]
Summary
Thanks for information on weeping trees; asks for a few weeping elm seeds.
The double peach is in flower; the almond has not flowered; will beg a specimen of fruit later.
Has been unwell.
Tells of Hooker’s admiration for TR’s articles.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | 5 Mar [1863] |
Classmark: | Sotheby’s (dealers) (23–4 July 1987) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4023 |
To Thomas Rivers [9 May 1863]
Summary
Doubts the fruit will stick on his Chinese double peach and asks TR to send him a couple when ripe.
Would like to grow seeds of the "curious monstrosity" of a wall-flower, to see whether the monstrosity is hereditary.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | [9 May 1863] |
Classmark: | DAR 185: 84 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4150 |
To Thomas Rivers 17 August [1863]
Summary
The almond-tree TR gave him produced no fruit, but the Chinese double peach has three. Asks for ripe almond fruits and any odd peaches, to compare the stones.
Asks about modification in fruit or foliage in any fruit-trees from being grafted,
and about seedlings of pears and wheat said to have been found in hedges and woods.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Thomas Rivers |
Date: | 17 Aug [1863] |
Classmark: | DAR 185: 85 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4270 |
letter | (14) |
Darwin, C. R. | (10) |
Rivers, Thomas | (4) |
Rivers, Thomas | (10) |
Darwin, C. R. | (4) |