Showing 21–40 of 49 items
On Nepenthes.
Asks JDH, if he publishes, to mention CD’s work on digestive powers of Drosera so that charges of plagiarism will not be made against CD later when he publishes.
Describes at length his observations on the movements of Desmodium.
Returned from visit.
Thinks several species of Eucalyptus would be worth experimenting on. Sends list.Mimosa albida would be worth its weight in diamonds. Neptunia worth more than diamonds.
Has been working hard on Mimosa albida. Could JDH ever make its opposite leaflets shut up close, as in sleep, when he irritated them? CD doubts they do, except in sleep. Thinks movement a protection against water.
Has examined only one specimen of Eucalyptus.
Cannot believe JDH’s results from cutting a hole in pitcher in his Nepenthes experiment.
His indignation at the malignant, odious, hypocrite Owen’s attack on JDH. History of Secretaryship [of Royal Society in Nature 9 (1873): 129–30] was best answer to Owen.
Is hard at work on new edition of Descent – a truly awful job.
No use going on with experiments on effects of water on bloom-divested leaves. May have erred. Or it may be that water is only injurious when there is a good supply of actinic rays. Will wait until spring.
Fascinated by Greg’s Enigmas, though its matter is weak.
Is vexed at being drawn into hostility toward British Museum through William Carruthers’ insolence and presumption.
Recounts visit with Edward Cardwell [Secretary for War].
Has sent Candolle’s book to Gladstone.
JDH indignant at Gladstone’s speech putting English science below French and German.
Thinks it is an accepted dogma that glandular hairs are excreting only. Will ask others to confirm.
Drosophyllum is coming from Dublin. Will ship it to Down when it arrives.
The awful honour of Presidency of Royal Society; his aversion to dignities and honours.
R. Strachey [Proc. R. Geogr. Soc. (1873): 450] has paid him and CD a compliment.
Letter from Gladstone.
The Drosophyllum goes to Orpington by train this evening.
Hopes Drosophyllum was all right.
Opinion of Council of Royal Society [on Presidency] is twelve for JDH, five for Duke of Devonshire, and G. B. Airy for William Spottiswoode.
Delighted with John Traherne Moggridge’s book [Harvesting ants (1873)].
Has suggested he plant seeds in various receptacles. Only two explanations for failure of seeds to germinate [in ants’ nests]: lack of circulating air or formic acid.
Has undertaken a botany primer for Macmillan.
Thinks the Huxley fund should be done. Difficulty will be getting him to accept it.
George Henslow is worse. All plans to go abroad have been given up. James Paget’s diagnoses enclosed.
Charmed by Huxley’s letter of appreciation [8873].
Lady Lyell’s sudden death.
Leaves Wednesday with Huxley for holiday.
Family news.
He too thinks well of Bentham’s address.
Asa Gray elected Foreign F.R.S.
G. J. Allman is being proposed for Royal Medal by JDH and Huxley.
Returned last night. Huxley, left at Baden Baden, remarkably well.
Would like to come to Down with Strachey.
Has observed CD’s points. Except for leaves of Nelumbium, would have supposed both wax and hairs were connected with absorption or respiratory functions. May subserve some function connected with rays of sun. Watering most prejudicial in the hot sun: a splendid subject for experiments.
Adam is a good man.
He and Strachey will arrive on Saturday.
Is aghast at thought of being questioned on injury to plants by watering. Fears he will be considered an ignorant Director of Kew.
Will arrive at Orpington by usual train.
Identifies three plants sent by CD.
Is sending specimens of Eucalyptus;
goes tomorrow to receive LL.D. [Glasgow].
Mimosa too far gone to send now.
CD’s marjoram is the common [Origanum] vulgare, not the pot herb.
On the water injury, Thiselton-Dyer and he may have used too fine a spray, but plant is insensitive.
Horribly angry at P. G. Tait’s letter in Nature [8 (1873): 381–2].
Tyndall writes that he is strong – the next number of Nature will prove it.
G. Henslow is much better.
JDH leaves for Bradford [BAAS meeting] tomorrow.
Rejoices at CD’s success with Drosera; longs to be at Nepenthes.
