From J. D. Dana 8 September 1856
Summary
Responds to CD’s query about the blind fauna of Mammoth Cave.
Gives information from L. Agassiz. Distribution of Crustacea, especially along southern coastlines.
| Author: | James Dwight Dana |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 8 Sept 1856 |
| Classmark: | DAR 205.3: 269 (Letters), DAR 162: 38 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1951 |
To J. D. Dana 29 September [1856]
Summary
Thanks JDD for replies to queries [in 1925]; would like to know whether teeth of cave rat are of New or Old World type.
Wishes Louis Agassiz would publish his theory of parallels of geological and embryological development. "I wish to believe but have not seen nearly enough as yet to make me a disciple."
Is working hard on variations and origin of species, but fears it will be a couple of years before he publishes.
Describes his recent work on rabbits and pigeons.
The dispersal of land Mollusca is a most difficult problem.
Confesses he is sceptical of immutability of species; discusses difficulty of proving it.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | James Dwight Dana |
| Date: | 29 Sept [1856] |
| Classmark: | Yale University Library: Manuscripts and Archives (Dana Family Papers (MS 164) Series 1, Box 2, folder 44) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1964 |
| letter | (2) |
| Dana, J. D. | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (1) |
| Dana, J. D. | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (1) |
| Dana, J. D. | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (2) |
