From J. D. Hooker [2 December 1857]
Summary
News of Mrs Henslow’s death.
Studying Impatiens, which bears on CD’s problems. Though genus is endemic to India, with over 100 species, CD will be glad to know they do not run into one another.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [2 Dec 1857] |
| Classmark: | DAR 104: 178–9 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2178 |
From J. D. Hooker [6 December 1857]
Summary
Finds CD’s results [of his survey of well-marked varieties from A. P. and Alphonse de Candolle’s Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis (1824–73)] "very curious and suggestive". Thinks the Labiatae will present an obstacle to him as it is a very large and distinct order with well-defined species and genera. Would like to see him tackle more volumes of Candolle’s Prodromus, as his case can only be established by evidence from mundane plants. CD should beware of generalising from local species variability. A comparison of C. C. Babington’s and G. Bentham’s [British] Floras [Babington Manual of British botany (1843, 4th ed., 1856); Bentham Handbook of British flora (1858)] would be invaluable. Suggests CD write to Ferdinand Müller and Charles Moore in Australia. Moisture favouring extension of species is important for CD’s view.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [6 Dec 1857] |
| Classmark: | DAR 104: 195–6, DAR 47: 192 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2181 |
From J. D. Hooker [17–23 December 1857]
Summary
Sending more Candolle volumes for survey of species with well-marked varieties.
Has begun his introduction [to Flora Tasmaniae]; will not make generalisations.
J. D. Dana’s pamphlet too metaphysical for JDH.
| Author: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [17–23 Dec 1857] |
| Classmark: | DAR 104: 194 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2188 |
