Darwin's hits

From Dr Jeremy J. D.

Greenwood

Sir: Alexei Sayle's humour contains serious messages. It is therefore unfortunate that he should refer to Charles Darwin as a "one-hit wonder" (5 September). Although the theory of evolution by natural selection was an idea of outstanding importance, Darwin made many other significant contributions to zoology, botany and geology. In addition to The Origins of the Species, he wrote books on sexual selection, animal behaviour, genetics, pollination biology (two books), the role of earthworms in the soil, and the formation of coral reefs (as well as producing a huge monograph on barnacles). Scarcely "remixes of his earlier triumphs".

Yours faithfully,

Jeremy J. D. Greenwood

Director

British Trust for Ornithology

Thetford, Norfolk

11 September