JDH discusses his and others’ experiments on survival of seeds. Impressed with resistance of some seeds and rapid decomposition of others. He wonders about "vitality" in the abstract.
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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.
JDH discusses his and others’ experiments on survival of seeds. Impressed with resistance of some seeds and rapid decomposition of others. He wonders about "vitality" in the abstract.
CD notes growth of Royal Society may force it to hire officers.
Speculates on cold resistance of bacterial germs.
Will communicate to Royal Society Frank’s paper on the ingestion of solid particles by the protoplasmic protrusions of Dipsacus glands.
CD working on plant dimorphism.
JDH recounts discussion at Royal Society over Günther’s paper on distribution and affinities of gigantic tortoises ["Description of the living and extinct races of gigantic land-tortoises, Parts III and IV", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 25 (1876–7): 506–7]. Huxley suggests they are Miocene relics.
Royal Society will publish Frank’s Dipsacus paper [but see 10971 and 11073].
Thiselton-Dyer will review Cross and self-fertilisation.
CD thinks A. Günther’s tortoises are relics of closely allied forms, once widely distributed. Expressed this view to AG a few months ago. Cannot explain their restriction to volcanic islands.
JDH reports on Frank’s reading of his Dipsacus paper at the Royal Society. Huxley slept through much of it, but JDH is well pleased with it.
CD counters Thiselton-Dyer’s objection to protoplasmic filaments of Dipsacus protruding beyond cell-wall, as Frank’s paper claims, by citing white "blood cells passing through vessels".
Has received Moseley’s collection of photographs.
Oliver cannot, as CD has requested, hunt for trimorphic flowers in the Herbarium’s collection of Oxalis specimens. He would help Frank if he comes.
CD apologises for his burdensome request of Oliver.
Criticises JDH’s notice on Forsythia, which JDH said was dioecious. Forsythia sent to CD from Kew was heterostylous.
CD regrets not being able to see JDH.
CD has again become interested in "bloom" on plants; requests JDH’s help with seeds and plants.
JDH’s view of Thiselton-Dyer’s engagement to his daughter, Harriet.
JDH is pleased to help with "bloom" questions.
Responding to CD’s request for assistance with his study of "bloom", JDH sends seeds, a list of available plants, and a list of English wild plants with "bloom".
CD thanks JDH for assistance with "bloom" study.
JDH has to entertain the Emperor of Brazil [Pedro II], who wants to meet CD.
CD cannot see the Emperor of Brazil because he is in Southampton, but he sends sincere respects for the Emperor’s role in assisting science.
JDH finds the Emperor, once an energetic man, all used up.
JDH recounts circumstances of his receiving Star of India (K.C.S.I.).
Emperor of Brazil continues to press JDH for a meeting with CD.
JDH’s daughter, Harriet, marries W. T. Thiselton-Dyer.
JDH has just returned from U. S., where he worked on N. American geographical distribution with Asa Gray.
Welcomes JDH home from American expedition.