Showing 61–80 of 133 items
The Charles Darwin Collection
The Darwin Correspondence Project is publishing letters written by and to the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Complete transcripts of letters are being made available through the Project’s website (www.darwinproject.ac.uk) after publication in the ongoing print edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin (Cambridge University Press 1985–). Metadata and summaries of all known letters (c. 15,000) appear in Ɛpsilon, and the full texts of available letters can also be searched, with links to the full texts.
Asks THF to obtain sample of chalk immediately below vegetable mould at Abinger.
On William Graham’s book [The creed of science (1881)].
Darwinism, chance, and the existence of evil.
More on W. Graham’s book, The creed of science. Chance and design. Happiness.
E. A. Darwin’s death [26 Aug 1881].
Has received Earthworms.
Requests that THF forward an enclosure if he thinks it proper. James Torbitt’s blunder in using the pollen of a diseased variety accounts for the bad varieties raised last year.
Potatoes [from Torbitt experiment] sent him for eating were very poor. Those for seed produced abundantly, but have not resisted disease better than other kinds that Payne [his gardener] has grown.
Raises a question about a statement in Orchids; his observations differ.
Is confirmed about the bending of the fly orchid pollinia. [See "Fertilisation of orchids", Collected papers 2: 141.]
Thanks THF for correcting the error in Orchids.
Asks him to find out what insects visit the fly orchid and for what purpose.
Describes work with pollinia of another Orchis species.
"I have seen the action on Ophrys exactly as you describe and am thoroughly ashamed of my inaccuracy."
Sends a paper he has written [on scarlet runner].
Comments on THF’s MS [on fertilisation of scarlet runners]. Suggests publication, though CD anticipated main features ten years before. Is amused at the caution with which THF put his case that the final end [of the contrivances] was crossing distinct individuals.
Encouraged by CD’s reply. Sends another paper, on blue Lobelia.
Asks advice on books.
Will send THF’s paper [on scarlet runners] to Annals and Magazine of Natural History with a note recommending publication [see 6384].
Suggests books on Lobelia.
Sends an addition to Lobelia paper; admires adaptations for fertilisation.
Informs THF that Annals and Magazine of Natural History will publish his paper [see 6384].
Wonderful how every flower one looks at is explained by, and throws light on, the fertilising process.
Delighted with mechanisms of Salvia and Viola. How can anyone who compares structure of Viola cornuta and common violet still suppose them to be separate creations?
Suggests THF write a paper on violets. Asa Gray, once a sceptic, now declares he is convinced whole structure of a flower is adapted for a cross with another individual.
Urges THF not to give up Pangenesis lightly. "It has thrown light on my mind in regard [to] a great series of complex phenomena."