The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1853.02. It certainly is very difficult to understand why so much variation in the Galapagos. CUL-DAR205.3.152. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 1.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR205.3 contains notes on distribution of animals.

The brown crayon number '18' indicates that this document was filed by Darwin in his portfolio for the subject of Migration.

[152]

Feb /53/ It certainly is very difficult to understand why so much variation in the Galapagos. Practically mountain Peaks such as Alp & Appenine quite distinct & very little crossing between plants as several Canary Isld — so again plants (how many) similar in N. America Europe & United States & yet not so different. The only conjecture which I can make is originally derived from some distant source & so placed in very different circumstances & being rendered plastic, wd. then by slight causes vary & be selected.

[in margin:] too theoretical

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)