The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1870. Draft leaf of Descent Chapter I, folio 10. PC-USA-DescentMS10. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Scans provided by the owner of the manuscript. Transcribed and edited by John van Wyhe 9.2020. RN2

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with the kind permission of a private collection, USA, and William Huxley Darwin. The same private collection holds:
[c. 1858]. Notes on Huber, Recherches sur les Moeurs des Fourmis Indigènes (1810). Text & image PC-USA-OriginAnts
1858. Draft leaf of Origin. Text & image PC-USA-OriginMS270
1858-59. Draft leaf of Origin. Text & image PC-USA-OriginMS324
1859.11.11. Letter to Adam Sedgwick on sending Origin. Text & image PC-USA-SedgwickOrigin
[1859].12.24. Letter to T. H. Huxley on a manuscript on the evolution of pigeons. Text & image PC-USA-HuxleyPigeons
[1861-62]. Draft of Orchids, folio 192. Text & image Sanders-3.2017Lot96.
1870. Draft leaf of Descent. Text & image PC-USA-DescentMS10
1871. Receipt for Murray's payment for Descent. Text & image PC-USA-DescentReceipt
1871. Draft leaf of Expression. Text & image CUL-DAR185.143
1871. Draft leaf of Expression. Text & image CUL-DAR185.144
1868.02.09. Letter to Asa Gray on Variation. Text & image PC-USA-GrayVariation

From the dealer's sale description: "Autograph manuscript signed and titled "Descent of Man" by Darwin, an original leaf from chapter I of The Descent of Man. c. 1870. One page comprising two sheets joined in the process of drafting the work. Blue paper. Headed "Chapt I" and numbered "10." Revisions and corrections in the author's hand. There are a few small differences between this text and the printed edition, for Darwin made additional changes to the work when it was in proofs." An ink finger or thumb print on the verso may be Darwin's.

[10]

(10

[later insertion in Darwin's hand:] Ch. Darwin.— Descent of Man.

Chapt I

ancient type of structure? It might, also, be naturally enquired whether man, like so many other animals, has given rise either to varieties sub-races, differing but slightly from each other, or to races differing so much, that they may be doubtfully classed as species? How are such races distributed over the world; how when crossed do they react on each other's characters? And so with many other points. The enquirer would next come to the important point, whether man tends to increase at so rapid a rate, as to lead to occasionally severe struggles for existence, consequently to any beneficial variations, whether in body or mind, being occasionally preserved, injurious ones eliminated.

[in faint pencil, possibly erased:] 183

[Section of Descent, pp. 9-10, with the corresponding text:]

[10v]

[in faint pencil and almost illegible:] 75 gtvh 59

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