To Julius von Haast 22 January 1863
Summary
Thanks JvH for his address [to the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury], his Geological Report [Topographical and geological exploration of the western districts of the Nelson province, New Zealand (1861)],
and for the "honourable" notice of Origin.
CD especially interested in JvH’s facts on the old glacial period.
Asks about fossil remains [of supposed living mammalia] which CD thinks may be like "the Solenhofen bird-creature" [Archaeopteryx].
Urges the recording of rate and manner of spreading of European weeds and plants and observation on which native plants "most fail".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Francis Julius (Julius) von Haast |
| Date: | 22 Jan 1863 |
| Classmark: | Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand (Haast family papers, MS-Papers-0037-051-3) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-3935 |
To Julius von Haast 18 July [1863]
Summary
Acknowledges receipt of JvH’s letters and report of his expedition. Congratulates him on its success.
Has sent Origin.
There is hardly a place in the world as interesting as New Zealand with respect to geographical distribution.
Will quote the case of the ducks that nest in trees.
Is working hard on Variation.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Francis Julius (Julius) von Haast |
| Date: | 18 July [1863] |
| Classmark: | Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand (Haast family papers, MS-Papers-0037-051-3) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4245 |
