Showing 61–76 of 76 items
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.
CD and Frank think they have proved that function of plant sleep is to protect leaves from injury by chilling radiation. Requests plants for experiment to determine whether underside of leaf is hardier than upper.
Suggests movements of sensitive plants may protect against insects.
James Caird does not think Torbitt’s success justifies application to Government. Torbitt has four acres planted with seedlings. Has sent back CD’s £100. Shall CD insist that he keep it?
Describes hereditary defect in ear muscle.
Discusses influence of wet nurse on infant.
Describes talking starlings.
Sending the further codicil to CD’s will.
Thinks RM may like to see the enclosed [Fritz Müller letter].
Thanks FM for letter of 22 Feb [not found] on Lepidoptera. Will send it to Entomological Society to be read. FM’s earlier letters produced best discussions of the season.
Thanks for seeds of Viola.
He and Francis [Darwin] are at work on biology of seedling plants and wish to observe how the flowers penetrate the earth.
The Pontederia did not germinate, probably pressed too much [in post].
Pleased that WN wishes to dedicate his book [Oregon: there and back (1878)] to him.
WN’s move from Down irreparable loss to the village.
Studying geotropism.
Experiments using exposure to frost to study nyctitropism are difficult to perform because species vary in frost tolerance.
Does not believe that nature of milk can affect character of child.
Facts about starling very curious, but CD now absorbed by vegetable physiology. Not likely to attend to animal minds again.
Suggests Torbitt proceed with his work for this year; if he wishes to continue next year THF will try to arrange Government support.
JIR’s "theory" of sensitive plants published in an anonymous letter he sent to the Field 2½ years ago. Mechanisms for protection against insects in sensitive plants.
Wishes to contribute to the memorial for Claude Bernard, but first wants to be assured that, in his experiments, Bernard was not reckless with respect to the suffering of animals.
Thanks THF and James Caird for their assistance. Will send back the £100 to Torbitt.
Asks why pigeons fly in a circle.
Sends £100 to JT. T. H. Farrer and James Caird think they can get another £100 next year [for potato experiments].