Search: letter in document-type 
Darwin, C. R. in correspondent 
Airy, Hubert in correspondent 
Sorted by:

Showing 120 of 27 items

From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 Apr 1871
Source of text:
DAR 87: 37–8
Summary:

Comments on discussion of residual organs in Descent [ch. 1].

Describes his ability to contract the platysma myoides at will.

Suggests reason for loss of voluntary movement of ears in men and monkeys.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Hubert Airy
Date:
5 Apr [1871]
Source of text:
DAR 143: 15
Summary:

Discusses loss of voluntary movement of ears in man and monkey.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
9 Dec 1871
Source of text:
DAR 159: 13
Summary:

Reply to CD’s letter of 5 Apr 1871 [7659], in which he asked HA for further details on when and how platysma myoides contracts.

Replies to CD’s questions about sources on leaf arrangement.

Gives news of speech and paper about CD.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Hubert Airy
Date:
10 [Dec] 1871
Source of text:
DAR 143: 16
Summary:

Discusses movement of ears and contraction of the platysma.

Discusses phyllotaxy, citing work of Carl Nägeli and Chauncey Wright.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
12 Dec 1871
Source of text:
DAR 159: 14
Summary:

Thanks for letter and reference to Nägeli’s observations on leaf arrangement in the bud.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
31 May 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 15
Summary:

A review and criticism of Chauncey Wright’s paper on phyllotaxy [Mem. Am. Acad. Arts & Sci. n.s. 9 (1867–73): 379–415]. Does not believe that the "distributive" and "cyclical" properties, which CW claims characterise the existing spiral orders of leaf arrangement, can be shown to be advantageous to plants. CW’s speculations on the origins of the spiral arrangement of leaves are purely hypothetical.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 June 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 15a
Summary:

On leaf arrangement. [Badly damaged and almost illegible.]

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Hubert Airy
Date:
9 June [1872?]
Source of text:
American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.408)
Summary:

Agrees to read paper; warns he lacks mathematical knowledge.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[before 15] July 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 16
Summary:

Outlines his theory on the origin of existing orders of leaf arrangement. Believes spiral and whorled orders have evolved from a primitive distichous arrangement. These arrangements permit a compact bud form of small surface area that can withstand external changes in temperature, and in particular can tolerate frost.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
16 July 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 17
Summary:

Thanks CD for reading his MS [8412] and for his suggestions.

Clarifies his statement on the contraction of the bud-axis: did not mean to imply that this contraction occurred in an individual’s life-time, rather that it was the effect, after the course of ages, of successive favourable modifications.

Believes the true theory of phyllotaxy will give a convincing illustration and proof of the theory of evolution.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
20 July 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 18
Summary:

Discusses the significance of the node. Believes, with CD, that it has no independent importance but is merely the consequence of the presence of a leaf. Does not believe a distinction can be made between whorled and alternate leaf arrangements on the basis of the number of leaves springing from a node. The node, as the starting point of a leaf, is subject to any disarrangement which takes place among the leaves.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
21 July 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 19
Summary:

Corrects a factual error in his previous letter [8418].

Sends specimens illustrative of the "nodal" question.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 July 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 20
Summary:

Responds to CD’s comments on his MS on phyllotaxy.

The initial variation required by his theory would be a slight twist of the bud-axis; believes the frequent twisting of stems and branches renders such a variation possible.

Admits he placed too much emphasis on the importance of frost. He should have spoken more generally of "vicissitudes of climate".

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Hubert Airy
Date:
24 Aug 1872
Source of text:
CUL: Royal Greenwich Observatory archives 6/273 (section 3–4: 348–9)
Summary:

CD’s son Leonard of the Royal Engineers has applied to Sir George Biddell Airy to be an observer on the Venus Expedition. Leonard failed to mention his qualifications, which CD now relates with the request that HA draw them to his father’s attention.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
20 Sept 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 21
Summary:

Disputes Thomas Meehan’s observations on the hardiness of exposed buds, and believes bud-scales are for the protection of the bud-leaves. Reiterates his opinion that the phyllotaxy of a plant is determined by causes acting when the leaves are crowded into close contact. Attempts to explain how a different phyllotaxy on the upper and lower parts of the same shoot could have arisen.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
24 Sept 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 22
Summary:

Thanks for letter, in which CD cited [Anton] Kerner’s alpine observations.

Describes with diagrams the curious disposition of leaves on some Acacia twigs, and points out that his theory should account for these anomalies as well as normal cases.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 Dec 1872
Source of text:
DAR 159: 23
Summary:

Discusses works lent him by CD: Candolle, Kerner, Braun, Sachs, and CD’s own notes on relative positions of leaves. Plans paper on subject for Royal Society.

Just appointed medical inspector under local government board.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
3 Jan 1873
Source of text:
DAR 159: 24
Summary:

HA’s paper on leaf arrangement is almost ready; asks CD to communicate it to the Royal Society. Seeks permission to quote from CD’s notes.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Hubert Airy
Date:
[before 21 Jan 1873]
Source of text:
Cambridge University Library (MS. Add. 7656: RS899)
Summary:

Sends HA’s paper ["On leaf arrangement"] with a supporting note [from CD] to Royal Society.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Hubert Airy
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
21 Jan 1873
Source of text:
DAR 159: 25
Summary:

Has sent phyllotaxy paper to G. G. Stokes with the letter from CD to show credentials.

Will not have time to read new Sachs edition CD offered.

Thanks for CD’s sponsorship of paper [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 21 (1873): 176–9].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
thumbnail