RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of d'Orbigny and Cuming on shells. CUL-DAR39.108. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 8.2022. 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-DAR39 contains Geological notes on South America.
Hugh Cuming and John Russell Hind are mentioned.
[108]
d'Orbigny (p 92) says 4 following genera are found in no part of West coast. (how far does he include?) Mr Cuming found, however, these as follows.
Bulla Callao & Payta
Cardium Payta Tunberg 3˚40' St Elena 2˚10' S
Perna (Xixappa) West Columbia 1˚23' S.
Mya ─ (nowhere)
do (p. 90) says following 6 genera, not found in
[108v]
(which in south Tunberg or Payta?)
Hence in tertiary period many genera elevated further southward there now.─
{Cuming quite bears out with Mr Hind statement about difference of shells on two coasts.
(Tasillaria at Arica)
[108a]
Mr Cuming thinks that the Mytilus (striated) magellanicus is different on Valparaiso coast, from what it is in Chile.
The mesodesma donaciforma is same as Erycina donaciforma; former correct name: it lives just at level at lowest tides; so is just to be uncovered
[108av]
Compared my Patagonian & Chonos & Chiloe shells & not one in common = The voluta ancilla from S. Crus rounded & therefore perhaps drifted)
The Mytilus from Lima & Chile is very different from the M. Magellanicus of T. del Fuego ─ Patagonia
Coquimbo Pecten (recent) thought by Cuming wrong locality. H Compare fossils H ─ (not identical & probably quite wrong locality)
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 7 February, 2026