73

as at present in new Ireland & continent since grown. — This will explain S. American case of Didelphis being mundine form., & the less development of Marsupials in S. America. from presence of Edentata — Edentata & Marsupials have been almost destroyed wherever other animals existed. —

Athenaeum 1838. p. 654 Reason given for supposing Tetrao Rakkelhan a hybrid produced commonly in Nature both in Sweden & anciently in Britain) between hen Capercailkie & cock Black-cock.18 — (Curious the readiness with which this genus becomes crossed. ?is red game an hybrid? —

17

74

When I show that islands would have no plants were it not for seeds being floated about, — I must state that the mechanism by which seeds are adapted for long transportation, seems to imply knowledge of whole world — if so doubtless part of system of great harmony.

The peculiar character of St. Helena. — contrast with Otaheiti in relation (See Gaudichauds Volume on the Botany of the Pacific.) to nearest continent. — with respect to ancient geography of Atlantic Tristan D'Acunha ditto. Juan Fernandez do

87

which is often the case, & why should organic affections always influence the sexual organs alone. —
It is singular pheasant & fowl being so totally infertile whereas animals further apart have bred inter se. —
These hybrids are very wild & take in disposition after their pheasant parents. —

17

There are some ¾ birds of which I think there must be some mistake in their origin) Saw cross between Penguin Duck from Bombay & Canada Goose. — Former strange mishaped bird & looks very artificial bred but M^r Muller says that breeds larger numbers, & rears an

88

unusual number out of any one nest, even more than common duck — Male Penguin was crossed with hen Canadian offspring, I should say in every respect most like Penguin duck. — which is strange anomaly in Yarrells Law.¹ — it probably is explained by the vigour of their propagating powers. (as if they were a good species or local variety & not effect of breeding in & in, like our pidgeons).
The male of every animal certainly seems chiefly to impress the young most with its form & disposition

¹ See "Darwin's Fourth Notebook on Transmutation of Species", Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Historical Series, vol. 2, 1960, p. 173, footnote 1.

89

17

Saw there young duck, like each other, — (& not very like either either … or Pintail ducks) from which they were descended they … from ½ pintail drake into pintail. — of them there were four two like each other & two dark coloured & different. — the former were the parents of the little ones

Keeper said in two crosses twice made between terrier & hairless dogs of Africa, — some puppies hairless, some in patches, & some hairy — the former preponderated which seems owing determined by the sex

Individual instances trouble Yarrels law. chief trust must be in general knowledge of breeders, where their interest is concerned.

16

90

Same man crossed Jackal & dog (offspring did not go to teat but parts swelled, though no fluid came from them. — showing how gradually every change is effected) — the one in the garden is from father dog & hence general appearance of face & tail somewhat like dog — though it has full share of Jackal shape of body — disposition wild, & fearful, though not so much as in Jackall. — In case where Jackall was father resemblance much nearer to Jackall. —