Comments on his examination of slides [of milk casein?] sent by CD.
Surprised by CD’s finding that a drop of one per cent hydrochloric acid stops digestion of albumen by Drosera.
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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.
Comments on his examination of slides [of milk casein?] sent by CD.
Surprised by CD’s finding that a drop of one per cent hydrochloric acid stops digestion of albumen by Drosera.
Regrets he has not given Zoonomia the attention it deserves. Informs CD that Erasmus Darwin may have anticipated a discovery about paralysis of vessels by exposure to heat [see Erasmus Darwin, p. 109].
Has tried in vain to find out about the influence of Erasmus Darwin on the administration of stimulants in fever.
Thanks for copy of Erasmus Darwin.
Offers to experiment on the digestibility of chondrin and chlorophyll by Dionaea for CD.
Has noticed that painters depicting complex expressions give different expressions to the two sides of the face.
Reports negative results of his experiments on digestion of chlorophyll by Drosera and by animals. [See Insectivorous plants, p. 126.]
Sends references for chondrin.
Writes on the possible origin of serpent-worship.
Is glad CD does not think his view regarding the two sides of the face is erroneous.
Encloses a tracing of a portrait of John Bunyan showing the differences of the two sides of the face.
Observations of effect of pepsin and hydrochloric acid on urea indicate that it is not digested [by Drosera].
Forwards a photograph he thought had been lost. Has noticed that the two sides of the face are often asymmetric in portrait busts and statues.
CD may keep the photograph of "the holy Mary of Egypt". TLB may have been led away by his imagination in thinking that one side of the face expressed repentance and the other devout joy.
Comments on David Ferrier’s observations on electrical stimulation of the brain. Extent of response relates to intensity of stimulus.
Crichton-Browne’s observations on the asymmetry of convolutions on the two sides of the brains of maniacs.
CD asks if he may call next day for talk.
Asks for information about his grandfather’s influence on medical practice, to be used in his preface to Erasmus Darwin [1879, p. 107].
Thanks for information about Erasmus Darwin and for lending journal.
Sir Robert Christison says Dr Darwin not the first to recommend alcohol for fever.
Thanks for Indian [Medical] Gazette. Comments on article.
Is interested in comparative nutritive values of chondrin and gelatin. The former seems to excite Drosera more, though albumen does so to a higher degree than either. Also asks if chlorophyll is digested by animals; Drosera digests it hardly at all.
On digestive powers of Drosera and those of higher animals.
Comments on expression on two halves of human face.
Responds to TLB’s views of serpent- and fire-worship.
Poison of venomous snakes.
Encloses, for examination, residue from skim-milk which has been on the glands of Drosera. Asks TLB to confirm his views on action of Drosera secretion on milk. Asks about effects of pepsin and hydrochloric acid in digestive juice.
CD responds to information about residue of milk digested by Drosera. Is obliged for information on strength of acids and albumen and now has little doubt acid had impaired the leaves. Awaits word on pepsin and papaw juice.