Details
DARWIN, Charles (1809-1882). Autograph letter signed to Francis Buckland, Down, 26 January n.y., recalling that they were introduced 'by your late honoured Father' many years ago, writing as a fellow-naturalist to ask Buckland's help in identifying an article in The Field about the fins of fishes growing again after being cut off, and enquiring whether he has heard of the re-growth of organs 'such as tail or finger or toe' in the mammalia or birds, 'I am privately informed that regrowth occurs with monstrous additional fingers with men', 4 pages, 8° (annotation in pencil in a different hand in blank lower portion of last page, slightly dust-stained at centre fold).
An intriguing letter, showing Darwin's keen interest in the strange and abnormal. This interest was shared to the full by Francis Buckland (1826-1880), son of William Buckland, the Oxford Professor of Geology and later Dean of Westminster (d.1856). 'Frank' was himself a surgeon and naturalist, and became an expert on fish. His published works include Curiosities of Natural History. Darwin in a postscript refers also to Buckland's letter in The Field about a 'Dog-Lion' and a reported sighting in Russia.
An intriguing letter, showing Darwin's keen interest in the strange and abnormal. This interest was shared to the full by Francis Buckland (1826-1880), son of William Buckland, the Oxford Professor of Geology and later Dean of Westminster (d.1856). 'Frank' was himself a surgeon and naturalist, and became an expert on fish. His published works include Curiosities of Natural History. Darwin in a postscript refers also to Buckland's letter in The Field about a 'Dog-Lion' and a reported sighting in Russia.