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Darwin and Hill.

BY FRANK CUNDALL.

Dr. G. F. A. Da Costa has in his possession an unpublished letter by Charles Darwin addressed I Richard Hill, and has kindly consented to its publication in the West India Committee Circular. Richard Hill, one of the most remarkable men that Jamaica has produced, is best known for his collaboration with Gosse, the naturalist, and for his efforts on behalf of the abolition of slavery. He contributed to several scientific publications both in England and America, and by this means became connected with some of the leading learned societies of the world. He was a corresponding member of the Zoological Society of London, of the Leeds Institute, and of the Smithsonian Institution, and he numbered amongst his correspondents Darwin and Poey. Darwin had written in September, 1856, to Gosse for further information with respect to the habits of pigeons and rabbits

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referred to in his " Sojourn," and it was at Gosse's suggestion that Darwin wrote direct to Hill; and in a later letter, written in April, 1857, he says, "I owe to using your name a most kind and valuable correspondent in Mr. Hill, of Spanish Town."

The "little book" Darwin alludes to was "The  Origin of Species," published when he had just completed fifty years. On the nth of September he wrote that he had finished the last proof-sheet, adding "Oh, good heavens! the relief to my head and body to banish the whole subject from my mind!" The book was published on the 24th November, 1859, and the whole edition of 1,250 copies sold on the day of publication. On the 25th of January, 1859, in writing to A . R. Wallace on the question of "Origin of Species," Darwin had said "I am delighted to hear that you have collected bees' combs. ... This is an especial hobby of mine, and I think I can throw a light on the subject. If you can collect duplicates, at no very great expense, I should be glad of some specimens for myself with some bees of each kind. Young, growing, and irregular combs, and those which have not had pupae, are most valuable for measurements and examination. Their edges should be well protected against abrasion." The following is a copy of Darwin's letter to Hill: —

Down, Bromley, Kent.

Aug. 8th, [1859].

My dear sir,

I have delayed answering your last kind note, until I got the hive (after some delay owing to mercantile forms) from Mr. Bishop. Mr. B. has been very obliging and when you see Mr. Wilkie pray give him my best thanks. The quality of honey was astonishing and so excellent that honey for him then repaid the cost of the hive. The combs were rather too crowded and old (till all fully formed) to be very good for measurement; yet I can clearly see that the cells are larger (in about proportion of 60 to 51) than the cells of British combs. This is a curious fact (and shows that Latraille was correct): the size of the cells of European cells are so uniform that I think that I remember that some wild [?] man proposed them as a standard unit of measurement! The walls of the cells are, I am almost sure, considerably thicker than in our cells; but I have as yet made no precise measurements. Now these facts made me anxious to obtain 12 dozen dead Bees and perhaps 2 or 3 drones: until you oblige me by trying to get them from Mr. Wilkie's Stock, and send them in box in letter, as they could not weigh one 12 oz. It is possible that the species may be different, or that our species may have grown larger under your magnificent climate. I have lately returned from spending a week at a Hydropathic establishment for my health-sake, and then I had the great pleasure of meeting Mr… . and charming Mrs. Wilkinson of Jamaica. Your letters have excited in me much interest about you, and I was quite delighted (if you will not think it impertinent in me to say so) to hear of all your varied accomplishments and knowledge, and of your higher attributes in the sacred cause of humanity. I am sure I feel grateful to you for all your kind assistance, and I beg leave to remain with sincere respects,

My dear Sir, Yours very faithfully,

(Sgd.) CHARLES DARWIN.

My little Book will not be ready till the autumn, when a copy shall be sent you. I fear you will not at all approve of the results arrived at, but I hope and believe that you will give me credit for an honest zeal for truth.

For a bare chance of you proposing any information on two following heads, I will append two questions.

Do the cattle or horses or sheep or pigs which have long been bred in Jamaica (without crosses) tend to assume any particular colour, or other character? Several years ago poor Sir H. Delabeche told me he believed that they did.

Secondly is there any current belief in the W. Indies that there is any difference in the liability of pure Europeans of a light complexion and hair, or of a dark complexion and hair, to take the Yellow Fever or other Tropical complaints?