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Show moreDarwin thanks to Dr. Reuben Vance for valuable letter [11232]. Darwin says he is "too ignorant of anatomy to form a decided opinion", but is inclined to attribute the spiral folds to reversion and the valves to partial abortion of the fold. Darwin asks Dr. Vance to verify his claim by examining lower intestine of an opossum for the structure. If Dr. Vance can prove the nature of these remnants, then it would be a conclusion of much interest. Transcription: "Dec 4 1877 Beckenham Dear Sir, I am obliged for your long and valuable letter. I am too ignorant of anatomy to form any decided opinion of the subject; but if I had met with your statements I should have been inclined to attribute the spiral folds to reversion and the valves to the partial [absolution] of the fold. I should have formed their opinion from the analogous structure in fishes of the non-generalized kind, and to the great variability of the parts in question, Could you not procure an opossum and examine the lower intestine; for if it presents no trace of the structure in question I should hesitate if I were in your place to allude to reversion. If marsupials do exhibit any [veolige] I would examine one [filter] lower placeutal mammals a rabbit for instance and afterwards a monkey. If you could [satir] factorily prove the nature of these remnants it would be a conclusion of much interest. As I have already referred to my ignorance of anatomy you will of course not refer to the remarks which I have hazarded. Dear Sir Yours faithfully Ch. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England. Envelope included.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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