The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1848.12. I have been much struck in Anatifera. CUL-DAR205.5.127. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 1.2023. 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-DAR205.5 contains notes on the principle of divergence, transitional organs and instincts.

[127]

Dec. /48/ I have been much struck in Anatifera how the genus, (& I have no doubt universal, as evidenced by sub-genera) breaks up into little groups — hence those who use Diagnostic character have generally to refer to only ~~1 or~~ 2 or 3 species— So again species break up into groups of varieties

[127v]

Genera again in same family are united into little groups— so throughout animal Kingdom — so children even in same Family.— It is universal law.─

[Sketch of a branching tree]

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