To G. R. Waterhouse 8 July 1843
Summary
Testimonial letter for GRW for position at British Museum.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Date: | 8 July 1843 |
| Classmark: | Natural History Museum, Library and Archives (General Library MSS WAT) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-681 |
To G. R. Waterhouse [26 July 1843]
Summary
Classification consists of grouping beings according to descent from common stocks. Analogies are resemblances between forms not inherited from common stocks. Neither number of species nor grade of organisation should be considered in classification. Admits that caution is necessary in admitting a few species to form a group of rank equal to one containing many species.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Date: | [26 July 1843] |
| Classmark: | DAR 185: 68 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-684 |
To G. R. Waterhouse [31 July 1843]
Summary
Has no objection to uniting Monotremata and other marsupials but would object to doing so solely on ground that Monotremata consists of only two species. Members of a natural group need not share common character so long as they are linked with those which do. Believes that if every organism that ever lived were collected, a perfect series would be presented. What are reasons that unite Aptera and Diptera?
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Date: | [31 July 1843] |
| Classmark: | DAR 185: 69 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-685 |
To G. R. Waterhouse [November 1843]
Summary
Congratulates GRW on appointment to position at British Museum.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Date: | [Nov 1843] |
| Classmark: | Natural History Museum, Library and Archives (General Library MSS WAT) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-710 |
To G. R. Waterhouse [3 or 17 December 1843]
Summary
Comments on GRW’s paper [Rep. BAAS (1843): 65–7; Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 12 (1843): 399–412]. CD says by "link" between any two groups he never understood a half-way link, merely one in a long series. Observes that one cannot have a simple species intermediate between two great families. Criticises GRW’s use of circles to represent groups, which leads to thinking that groups are of equal value.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | George Robert Waterhouse |
| Date: | [3 or 17] Dec 1843 |
| Classmark: | Natural History Museum, Library and Archives (General Special Collections MSS DAR A 3) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-718 |
