To A. R. Wallace 28 [May 1864]
Summary
Response to ARW’s papers on Papilionidae ["On the phenomena of variation and geographical distribution", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 25 (1866): 1–71; abstract in Reader 3 (1864): 491–3],
and man ["The origin of human races", J. Anthropol. Soc. Lond. 2 (1864): clviii–clxxxvi].
The former is "really admirable" and will be influential.
The idea of the man paper is striking and new. Minor points of difference. Conjectures regarding racial differences; the possible correlation between complexion and constitution. His Query to Army surgeons to determine this point. Offers ARW his notes on man, which CD doubts he will be able to use.
On sexual selection in "our aristocracy"; primogeniture is a scheme for destroying natural selection.
[Letter incorrectly dated March by CD.]
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Date: | 28 [May 1864] |
Classmark: | The British Library (Add. MS 46434: 39) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4510 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … to Joseph Dalton Hooker (see letter to J. D. Hooker, 22 [May 1864] and n. 12). See …
- … Lythrum salicaria ’ (see letter to J. D. Hooker, 22 [May 1864] and n. 16). Wallace sent …
- … islands of the Malayan Archipelago. See letter from J. D. Hooker, 14 May 1864 and n. …
- … 3, and letter to J. D. Hooker, 22 [May 1864] and n. 12. …
To A. R. Wallace [c. 10 April 1864]
Summary
Has seen that ARW has read a paper to the Linnean Society.
Thinks that Herbert Spencer’s Social Statics (Spencer 1851) would be too deep for him.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Date: | [c. 10 Apr 1864] |
Classmark: | The Argyll Papers, Inveraray Castle (NRAS 1209/856) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4378F |
From A. R. Wallace 2 January 1864
Summary
Remarks on ARW’s review of Samuel Haughton’s paper on bees’ cells
and Origin.
Agassiz’s strength as geologist and weakness in natural history theory.
Work problems.
His butterfly collection.
Problems with book on Malay journey.
Recommends Herbert Spencer and his Social statics.
Spencer’s "masterly" nebular hypothesis.
Author: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 2 Jan 1864 |
Classmark: | DAR 106: B8–11 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4378 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … D. Hooker, [10 and 12 January 1864] , and 3 November [1864] ; letters to J. D. Hooker, …
- … CUL. See also letter from J. D. Hooker, 6 April 1864 and n. 5. See Correspondence …
- … 1: 770). See also letter from J. D. Hooker, 24 January 1864 and n. 8, Spencer 1864–7 , …
- … see, for example, letter to J. D. Hooker, 3 November [1864] , and n. 20, above). At …
From A. R. Wallace 10 May 1864
Summary
On the Borneo cave exploration.
ARW will send his contribution to theory of origin of man. The vast mental and cranial differences between man and apes, whereas structural differences in other parts of body are small. The problem of explaining diversity of human races along with the stability of man’s form during all historical epochs. Discussion with "Anthropologicals" [following reading of ARW’s paper, "The origin of human races", before the Anthropological Society, 1 Mar 1864].
Author: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 10 May 1864 |
Classmark: | DAR 106: B12–13 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4490 |
From A. R. Wallace 29 May [1864]
Summary
Argues the antiquity of the human species because natural selection acts differently with respect to men. Changes in man are largely confined to head and brain. Warfare and sex are very uncertain as means of selection.
Gives CD complete credit for theory of natural selection.
Is beginning his narrative of his travels.
Lyell argues against tracing man as far back as Miocene times. R. I. Murchison’s argument that Africa is the oldest existing land implies that Africa is the place to look for early man.
Author: | Alfred Russel Wallace |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 29 May [1864] |
Classmark: | DAR 106: B14–19 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4514 |
letter | (5) |
Wallace, A. R. | (3) |
Darwin, C. R. | (2) |
Darwin, C. R. | (3) |
Wallace, A. R. | (2) |