To W. D. Fox 20 October [1856]
Summary
Has taken birds with seeds in crops to Zoological Society and fed them to eagles and owls. Pellets with seeds in perfect condition were "thrown up" in 18 and 16 hours, showing an effective means of distribution.
Asks WDF to write to his nephew in Jamaica to try experiments with floating lizards’ and snakes’ eggs in sea-water, to see if they survive.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 20 Oct [1856] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 99) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1978 |
To W. D. Fox 3 October [1856]
Summary
Finds his grief over his daughter Anne’s death still strong.
Is following Lyell’s advice about publishing his species doctrine. It is not to be a sketch, however, but as perfect as his 19 years of work will allow. His work on pigeons has been invaluable on many points. "No subject gives me so much trouble as means of dispersal of terrestrial production in the oceanic islands."
Finds "most remarkable differences" in skeletons of rabbits.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 3 Oct [1856] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 100) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1967 |
To W. D. Fox 8 [June 1856]
Summary
The responses to his queries on domestic variations are coming in from all over; believes he will make an interesting collection. At present concerned with rabbits and ducks.
Has told Lyell of his views on species and CL urges CD to publish a preliminary essay. Has begun to work on it, with fear and trembling at its inadequacies.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 8 [June 1856] |
| Classmark: | University of British Columbia Library, Rare Books and Special Collections (Pearce/Darwin Fox collection RBSC-ARC-1721-1-10) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1895 |
