RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [1877?].12.17-.12.18. Solanum [palinacanthum] / Draft of Descent, vol. 1. CUL-DAR209.4.372-373. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 9.2022. 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.

Draft of Descent in the hand of Ebenezer Norman with corrections by Darwin.

"Norman, Ebenezer, 1835/6-1923. 1854- Schoolmaster at Down and from 1856 and many years thereafter copyist for CD. 1856 Aug. 17 First payment for copying in CD's Account book (Down House MS). Many thereafter. CCD6:444. 1857 CD to Hooker, "I am employing a laboriously careful Schoolmaster". CCD6:443. 1858 CD to Hooker, "I can get the Down schoolmaster to do it [i.e. transcribe] on my return". CCD7:130. 1871 Banker's clerk in Deptford." (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021)

[372]

17th Dec Solanum tied

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[372v]

difference between the races, we must make some allowance for our nice powers of discrimination gained by the long habit of observing ourselves. In India, as Elphinstone remarks 1*(1), although the various native races cannot be distinguished by a newly [text excised] yet they soon appear to him ex=

[Descent 1: 215: "In regard to the amount of difference between the races, we must make some allowance for our nice powers of discrimination gained by the long habit of observing ourselves. In India, as Elphinstone remarks,1 although a newly-arrived European cannot at first distinguish the various native races, yet they soon appear to him extremely dissimilar; and the Hindoo cannot at first perceive any difference between the several European nations."]

[373]

Solanum Dec 18th

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[373v]

slaves in Brazil, who have been imported from all parts of Africa. The same remark holds good with the Polynesians, & with many other races. It may be doubted whether any one character can be named which is constant & is distinctive of [text excised] savages even

[Descent 1: 225: "This strikes every one when he first beholds the negro-slaves in Brazil, who have been imported from all parts of Africa. The same remark holds good with the Polynesians, and with many other races. It may be doubted whether any character can be named which is distinctive of a race and is constant. Savages, even within the limits of the same tribe, are not nearly so uniform in character, as has often been said."]

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

File last updated 7 December, 2022