From:
Robert Lawson (Lawson) Tait
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
16 Nov [1875]
Source of text:
DAR 178: 22
Summary:
Has CD ever come across Dischidia rafflesiana?
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
Showing 21–33 of 33 items
Has CD ever come across Dischidia rafflesiana?
Has extracted a highly deliquescent substance from digestive secretion of insectivorous plants.
His paper [for Royal Society] is completed; would CD like to read it?
RLT’s paper will be sent to CD. Will CD notify him of any serious defects?
RLT’s paper on insectivorous plants is being copied.
Because CD has been unwell, he has not read RLT’s paper carefully, but it seems an important contribution to science. Hopes RLT’s chemical observations will be confirmed. It seems a great anomaly that two substances with an acid should be requisite for digestion.
RLT’s insectivorous plants paper.
The success of a recent lecture.
Purpose of bushy tails; their usefulness to their owners as a means of keeping warm.
Uses of tails of mice. Functions of tails generally.
Sends a short essay [The pathology and treatment of diseases of the ovaries (1874)] on which he would welcome CD’s opinion. Believes problems of pathology can be attacked by regarding them from "Darwinian" point of view.
Is preparing a paper on the umbilical cord ["On the anatomy of the umbilical cord", Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 23 (1875): 498–501; 24 (1876): 417–40] of which he sends a preliminary note [missing]. Believes spiral growth of the umbilical cord is important evidence of the descent of man; speculates on spiral growth in general.
Arrangements for a visit to Down.
Abstract sent to the Royal Society. It seems to CD "uncommonly clear and well-done".