To J. D. Hooker 26 [March 1862]
Summary
Both JDH’s and Bates’s letters are excellent. JDH has said all that can be said against direct effect of conditions, but CD still sticks to his own and Bates’s side. CD should have done what JDH suggests (since naturally he is pleased to attribute little to conditions) – viz., started on the fundamental principle that variation is innate and stated that afterwards, perhaps, this principle would be made explicable. Variation will show that "use and disuse" have some effect. Does not believe in perfect reversion. Demurs at JDH’s "centrifugal variation"; the doctrine of the good of diversification amply accounts for variation being centrifugal.
The wonderful mechanism of Mormodes ignea.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Date: | 26 [Mar 1862] |
Classmark: | DAR 115: 147 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3484 |
From Henry Holland 26 March [1862]
Summary
Gives CD advice on the illness of one of his sons [presumably Horace].
Author: | Henry Holland, 1st baronet |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 26 Mar [1862] |
Classmark: | DAR 166.2: 241 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3485 |
From J. D. Hooker [after 26 March 1862?]
Summary
Variations are centrifugal because the chances are a million to one that identity of form once lost will return.
In the human race, we find no reversion "that would lead us to confound a man with his ancestors".
Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [after 26 Mar 1862?] |
Classmark: | DAR 47: 214 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3486 |
letter | (3) |
Darwin, C. R. | (1) |
Holland, Henry | (1) |
Hooker, J. D. | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (2) |
Hooker, J. D. | (1) |