From Charles Lyell 5 May 1869
Summary
Recalls Cuvier’s reaction to Principles of geology.
Comments on Wallace’s article in the Quarterly Review [see 6684].
Not opposed to ARW’s idea that Supreme Will might direct variation.
Quotes passage in letter from ARW arguing for causes other than selection in determining human abilities.
Discusses excavation of lakes by glaciers.
J. P. Lesley does not believe ice-sheets involved in eroding Appalachians.
Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 5 May 1869 |
Classmark: | Lyell 1881, 2: 441; DAR 85: A100–1 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6728 |
From Charles Lyell 2 November 1869
Summary
Comments on Huxley’s address ["Geological reform", Q. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 25 (1869): xxxviii–liii].
Physicists have ignored variation in sea-level in calculating effects.
Doubts if sun only source of heat.
Notes average depth of sea is 15 times height of land.
Criticises CD’s concept of permanent continents.
Sedimentary strata of Alleghenies must have derived from continent located where Atlantic is. Thinks enormous amount of denudation, submergence, and elevation may have accompanied relatively insignificant organic changes.
Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 2 Nov 1869 |
Classmark: | The University of Edinburgh Centre for Research Collections (Gen.113.ff.3734–3737) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-6967 |
letter | (2) |
Lyell, Charles | (2) |