RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1871. Mr Wood. CUL-DAR53.2.100. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 1.2022. 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.

"Wood, Thomas W., 1839-1910. Zoological illustrator. Introduced to CD by Wallace. W had prepared illustrations for Wallace's Malay archipelago. 1870 W drew figures 9, 10 and 14, of cats and a snarling dog for Expression and 2d edn of Descent. 1870 CD to Abraham Dee Bartlett, CD knew W personally in London and asks Bartlett to give him facilities at Zoological Gardens." (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021, p. 458.)

See also CUL-DAR53.2.99.


[100]

(June 10 1871. Mr Wood)

(1) A dog approaching another dog in a hostile spirit. p. 1. Ch. I. ... . The lips slight tucked up, but not exposing the canines when he grapples with his enemy his expression quite changes.

(2) The same dog, that marked in same manner, when pleased at meeting his master. Every attitude & gesture is complete opposites to those under No I. Instead of walking stiff & upright, the body sink down, & is thrown into flexuous curves; the head is lowered, the tail is completely lowered & wagged from side to side. -  Hair smooth - The ears ar much depressed & hang loosely, as do his lips - From the falling & drag down of the ears; the eyelids become somewhat elongated & the eye no longer appear round & staring.

(3) Head alone of dog actually & begging to fight, the lips drawn back from teeth & are much tucked up over canines teeth - ears much drawn back & pressed close to head This makes the eyelids appear elongated. (I do not care so much abt this in the drawing

(4) Cat terrified & angry, as when attacked by a dog - Back ridiculously arched, base of tail quite erect, with the whole terminal part, gently bent abruptly on one side.

[100v]

Hair erect on whole body & erect base of tail. Head lowered, much opened, showing teeth, as when spitting:

(5) Cat savage but not frightened, This is very rarely seen, except 2 cats fighting together; & I have seen it in savage cat plague by Boys. Attitude crouching, body extended, very like that of tiger growling over its food. - Hair not erect - tail extended, with lower tip curling from side to side - fore feet utterly protruded as if to strike - teeth just characteristic visible & ears drawn back & closely [illeg], which elongate eyelids a little

(6) Cat when caressing mistress & rubbing her legs. Attitude & appearance is alms exact opposite to 1st or No 5. Stands up, & legs appear tall - with back slightly arched, which slightly roughens Hair, though this is not at all erect - Tail quite upright & stiff, at right angle to back - Ears pricked & eyes round

(7) Head alone of savage Horse, but I do not care so much for this when going to bite, Head protruded, lips rotated & mouth slight open, Ears (& there) always drawn back & pressed the Head, which cause eyelid to be elongated Eyes seem rather protruding.


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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 26 October, 2022