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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.
Acknowledges copy of Insectivorous plants; has observed Drosera filiformis leaves closing around prey.
When the tails of horned cattle are rubbed ‘just below the root,’ they invariably twist their bodies, stretch their necks, and begin to lick their lips.
Asks CD’s opinion on whether there is a fundamental difference between the "primitive forms" of animals and plants. Mentions and rejects various views of major distinguishing characteristics.
Has secured rights to Variation from Judd & Co.; had to pay $350 [dollars or pounds!?] for old plates and promise 50% discount on 150 copies of the new edition. Hopes Murray’s charge for plates of new edition will not exceed cost of doing the work in the U. S. Judd lost out considerably from small sale of his edition.
Wishes CD to present RLT’s paper on insectivorous plants to the Royal Society.
Sends an article for CD’s opinion.
Has finished an account of the globes for the Philosophical Magazine ["On maps of the world", 50 (1875): 431–44].
His poor health has interfered with his pitch experiments.
Sends CD his answers to W. D. Whitney’s articles. Sees man as separated from other animals by the possession of language. There is no scientific evidence for even the slightest attempt at language in the higher animals, which cannot, therefore, be reasonably regarded as "stunted man". [See "In self-defence", Chips from a German workshop 4 (1875): 473–549.]
JDH shares CD’s annoyance with R. L. Tait.
Has identified awned carpels for CD.
Sports of Paritium.
Suggests extending Francis’ experiments with glycerine on twisted seeds, to Mimosa.
PS concerning Imantophyllum.
Sent a copy of Orchis book to Gentry. Mentions Morley’s article on Diderot. Asks for another copy of the new edition of Descent.
Reports observations of T. C. Renshaw on how some flowers of the Tritoma catch bees and other insects. Thinks it may be a contrivance against unbidden visitors, as insects caught are not consumed.
Wants CD to contribute to a new magazine to promote theism.
Gives directions for growing plants he has sent and corrects CD’s taxonomy.
It has been empirically established at Kew that insular plants tend to be heteromorphic, plants with entire leaves tending to produce divided leaves.
Comments on Hermann Müller’s article on the structure of Gunnera flowers.
Thanks CD for consenting to present his paper.
Asks whether he may send two or three other tubes [of boiled infusions] to be placed in the open and observed for him.
Is glad CD is working on cross- and self-fertilisation; reports recent works of botanists, notably Thomas Meehan’s ["Are insects any material aid to plants in fertilisation?", Philadelphia Press 13 Aug 1875], in which the importance of cross-fertilisation is denied.
Has heard that 2d ed. of Variation is out. If CD will send it to him, he will complete the Italian translation in a short time.
His translation of Expression is nearly finished [published in 1878],
and the 2d ed. of Origin is almost entirely published.
About a Polish edition of Variation.
