RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d [Worm notes]. Results to correct M.S. on Triangles of paper. CUL-DAR65.82. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 8.2021. 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-DAR65 contains materials for Earthworms, notes, observations, proofs etc. 1880-1881.


82

Results to correct M.S on Triangles of Paper - All relative to narrow triangles – for correcting the Press

I must add 4 arched ie with correcting upwards & so not counted: 2 pairs in same hole, one by apex & one by base. Eleven drawn in by apex with basal angles not bent but 2 of them with base directed that was I doubled case whether angles had been bent.

54 [+] 11 [=] 65

65 [+] 24 [=] 89

71 [+] 11 [=] 82

Proportion of narrow triangles to broad triangles drawn into burrow is as 183 to 120 better give them real figures 66 or as 100 to 65.6

183 [+] 120 [=] 303

I may now say thar out of 78+11 = 89 drawn in by apex

71+11 = 82 had not basal angles bent (though the bases of 14 were directed, & only 7 had basal angles bent, as if worm had first tried to draw them in by force.

Of all (narrow & broad together triangle -

62.4 percent (or 62) drawn in by apex

22.8 (or 23) percent [do] by base

14.9 (or 15) percent [do] by middle

So that those drawn in by apex far exceed those drawn in by base & middle together

59 [+] 25 [+] 16 

Of the narrow triangle alone -

65 percent drawn in by apex

21 percent [do] by Base

14 percent [do] by middle

Nearly twice as many drawn in by apex, as by base & middle together

21 [x] 3 [=] 63

21 [x] 3 [=] 63


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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 18 June, 2025