RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1863.05.22. naturally introduced species: Bentham, Lyell and Carpenter. CUL-DAR47.18. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 7.2022. 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-DAR47 contains notes for Natural selection chap. 7 'Laws of Variation'.
[18]
May 22/63/ Bentham feels argument of much force that certain n naturally introduced plants in Australia (like Lingula) have not been modified — Lyell that Bats have not been developed — Carpenter that Foraminifera have not been developed — Take case of Lythrum — what do we know justifying us to suppose that any change would profit it? On other hand it may be said with
[18v]
P. S. Take case of Lythrum; its existence in Australia shows that climate suits it: now it cannot be said that wi equal or greater force how do we know that such changes as other species have undergone have benefitted them— we do not— we can only infer it from general theory.—
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 28 August, 2023