From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
William Mitten
Date:
18 April 1858
Source of text:
WILLIAM MITTEN LETTERS MIT f.152, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:
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Contributor:
Hooker Project
Showing 61–80 of 82 items
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JDH characterises himself to Asa Gray as a full throated critic. He often disagrees with his Father [William Jackson Hooker], who can be stuck in old ways of thinking, JDH stops him from publishing outdated views. They clashed over the JOURNAL [OF BOTANY] work, JDH is glad it is discontinued. JDH offers Gray species of Rubiaceae, he might bring them himself if he goes to the USA this year. Has consulted Huxley re. Gray's notes on vitality & offers his comments. Discusses his thoughts on dedoublement, at length, he has discussed the theory with [George] Bentham[GB] & does not consider it logical. Mentions Gray's work on Balanophoreae. Discusses in detail Dicotyledonous exogens & the hierarchy of flowering plants, enumerating the characteristics which should define the highest type. He thinks that the 'vegetable ladder' should be arranged by physiology of the reproductive organs with organic complexity secondary: this would elevate gymnosperms above Phaenogams. [Arthur] Henfrey has found the corpuscula[?] in Gnetum, he suspects the seeds take 7 years to ripen. JDH describes the development of Gnetum ovule during fertilisation. JDH is working on East India Company Assistant Surgeon competitive examination papers & Royal Society Report for [David] Livingstone's expedition. Comments that Gray has correctly described Sambucus fruit. Describes his observations on ovules in different plant genera & families: Viburnum, Caprifol[iaceae]. Conv[olvulaceae]. Aral[iaceae]. Umbelli[ferae]. Rubiaceae, with particular reference to raphe in Lonicerae. He suspects ovule structure will lead to affinities. He discusses his study of Chimonanthus, which he places nearer Monimiaceae & Annonads than Rosaceae, calycifloral characteristics being key. JDH thinks Cumming's Morinda is new. He is sending a fruit of Ceylon [Sri Lanka] Eupyrena. GB recommends his notes on Rubiaceae. Gray could send his notes on Timonius to the Linnean journal, JDH has not received the proof of Gray's Magnolia paper.
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Darwin comments that Hooker's letter to ARW is perfect and that he has forwarded it to ARW along with one from himself. Darwin states he had resigned himself to giving up priority regarding evolution by natural selection to ARW but for influence from Lyell and Hooker.
Darwin thanks Hooker for reporting that all went well at the Linnean Society and supports Hooker's suggestion that he (Hooker) write to ARW to "exonerate" Darwin.
Darwin responding to Hooker's request for papers. Darwin seems resigned to not to ARW usurping him regarding the explanation of how and why species change over time, "I daresay all is too late. I hardly care about it.—".
Conveys news of the death of Darwin's baby son. References letters received from Hooker regarding the suggestion that they present ARW's paper and Darwin's writings as a joint paper to the Linnaean Society.
References Darwin's after notes about Darwin/Wallace publication on evolution by natural selection.
Darwin requests a clean proof (of his abstract?) for ARW.
Darwin tells Hooker he has sent ARW 8 copies of the offprints of Darwin & Wallace (1858).