Hi Darwin did write a wonderful book on worms (and books on many other topics) that should be required reading for all people wanting to emulate his great mind. He even describes some tests of worm's perceptual abilities based on research conducted in his study. The essential question was whether worms pull the narrowest part of leaves into their holes on cold nights by trial and error or by first feeling out the narrowest point.
Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected] >>> <[email protected]> 18-Oct-09 6:30:59 PM >>> "Make it a manual on pigeon-breeding! Forget the rest. Everyone loves pigeons--it'd be reviewed by every journal in the land". Unnamed publisher's reader on the MS for _ On the Origin of Species_. >From the poem, "A Pigeon Fancier's Manual" by Ruth Padel (Darwin's great-great-grandaughter), reprinted in _Science_, 326, October 2, 2009, p. 49. See also http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/18/books/18pade.html I tried to verify this quote and came up with another version of the claim which seems authoritative (which means I believe it). The misguided reader was the Reverend Whitwell Elwin who "was appalled by what he read and in a letter to Murray [Darwin's publisher] poured out his pain and hostility to Darwin*s theories, advising Murray not to publish this controversial work. He described it as `wild and foolish* and instead suggested that Darwin should write a book on pigeons. "Everybody is interested in pigeons. The book would be received in every journal in the kingdom and would soon be on every table." http://darwinspigeons.com/#/john-murray/4535045590 Imagine if Darwin had taken his advice. Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: [email protected] 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
