RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1844.04.20. Saw a Mastodon tooth at Strzelecki. CUL-DAR205.5.99. 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.


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April 20 /44/ Saw a Mastodon tooth at Strzelecki. — Fal Falconer says Owen has got traces of Australian marsupial Mastodon! How my theory settles genealogically, that marsupials equal Placental series!—

Falconer says Goodsir in Brit. Assoc. has written capital paper on teeth. In very early stage (it is case always) upper incisors of Rudiments discoverable.= These rudimentary organs resolve themselves into similarity of fœtal states = Insisted on importance in Botany of rudimentary or abortive organs.— This does not agree with Edentata

Waterhouse remarked (on Benthams law of variability of abortive parts) that or made some remark that in Edentata, the teeth in species vary, though not in individuals. — study this.— feet very irregular.—

W. was discussing with Strickland case of

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W. law of affinity & made out that owls & Hawks meet at Athene & the Harriers— but in each of these cases is the point in which, say Athene, approaches Hawks. it does not particularly approach the Harriers.—

W. says seemed baffled by Lepidosiren. Says he wrote chiefly for Mammals— a broken series, so that Macleay says genera of Mammals now correspond to families in Plants.= W. seemed to admit after Hooker that typical relates to number developed in any form.—

W. complained of Owen's manner of comparing part of animal to Reptile & part to Bird, without summing up importance of their relations.

W. It seems that Stonesfield Didelphys has not angle of jaw turned in & ∴ wants most important Marsupial character — intermediate between Marsups & Insectivora=

Falconer says some Coal-Plants of India cannot be put by Brown in any class.—


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

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