Thanks JSBS for his work. CD concludes the ferment of Drosera must differ from pepsin.
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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.
Thanks JSBS for his work. CD concludes the ferment of Drosera must differ from pepsin.
JSBS’s article in Nature ["Venus’s fly-trap", 10 (1874): 105–7, 127–8] could not have been better done.
Has found another plant, Pinguicula, which can catch and digest flies.
Thanks for fibrin. Drosera and Pinguicula dissolve it thoroughly.
Reports difficulties in experiments on digestion of fibro-cartilage. Asks about JSBS’s experiments with artificial digestive fluids.
JSBS must read Hooker’s address at Belfast [Rep. BAAS 44 (1874): 103–16] to see what a magnificent digester Nepenthes is.
Has been testing the digestive powers of Drosera; wants to know whether a group of substances that elicit similar responses are related.
Discusses the powers of digestion of Drosera and why certain substances produce less excitement in the plant than others.
Suggests experiments on artificial digestion.
Has been experimenting with phosphates on Drosera and wonders whether animals digest a particular one.
Asks whether Huxley has approached him regarding the introduction of a vivisection act.
"We have not a day to lose if our [Vivisection] Bill or our petition is to do any good". Reports on the activities of the opposition and the attitude of politicians on the subject. Believes a meeting with a minister should be arranged and thinks Lord Derby would be a good man. "All will depend on some half-dozen or 9 or 12 men agreeing on the bill."
Has written to Lord Derby about the vivisection issue and urged him to speak to the proper members of the Cabinet to prevent "hasty legislation versus science". CD offered to send the sketch of the bill that has been drafted or a small deputation to wait on any member of the Cabinet. Lubbock does not think the petition should be presented as he feels sure that nothing will be done this session.
Encloses a copy of Lord Derby's note of 17 April 1875 (DCP-LETT-9938).
Sir John Lubbock has agreed to meet CD, but no arrangement has been made.
Maybe they should drop the petition, since Lord Derby has agreed to help.
Encloses letter from Thomas Henry Huxley (DCP-LETT-9942); CD thinks copies of their bill should be sent to Lyon Playfair and Edward Cardwell.
Richard Buckley Litchfield reports the intentions of the Humanitarians.
CD has seen Sir John [Lubbock] who suggests that L. Playfair would be the best man to present the [vivisection] petition, but thinks the proposed bill much more important and useful. JL also suggests that the bill be given a more humanitarian aspect and that it be presented to both Houses of Parliament.
Richard Buckley Litchfield will soon be able to send CD revised copies of the bill.
Will write to Sir John Lubbock to ask if he will present the bill.
CD is delighted to hear that JSBS’s exertions and labour will probably be rewarded by success. He has had a note from Playfair who, like Lubbock, thinks the title and preamble [of the proposed bill] "had better wear a more humanitarian aspect".
Encloses the bill with its corrected preamble. How many copies would he like?
Hopes JSBS can attend the meeting of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on 5 May 1875.