Sends specimens from Indian Ocean atolls.
Showing 1–20 of 28 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.
Sends specimens from Indian Ocean atolls.
Describes an orange tree with curious "horned" fruit; sends specimen. Asks if the horns represent "metamorphoses of some organ into the fruit orange".
Would like further experimentation to confirm report about germination of wheat from Egyptian tombs. Sir G. Wilkinson may have been deceived by the Arabs.
Reports on abortive anthers in flowers of thyme sent by CD.
Reports observations on the behaviour of captive harvest mouse and dormouse. When descending sticks mouse uses its tail like a prehensile-tailed monkey.
CD relates that Robert Brown is anxious to have [C. M.] Leman[n] elected librarian of the Linnean Society and urges JSH to come to vote for him. CD joins in the request.
CD gives JSH Fuegian paints and spears and a Pacific dolphin hook for his museum.
Comments on JSH’s botanical work with his parishioners. Lyell will be pleased that he has done some fossil botanical work.
Describes a Geological Society meeting about Edward Charlesworth’s complaints.
Calls CD’s attention to an article about William Herbert’s hybrid Narcissus.
Tells how W. Kemp found the seeds of Atriplex, which Lindley sent to JSH for identification.
Asks about monstrous plant mentioned by Lindley [see 690].
Has seen fields of clover near Down affected with clover dodder.
Thinks W. Kemp’s specimens are all common varieties of living species of Atriplex.
CD has written to W. Kemp to ascertain what precautions he took in sowing his seeds. "It will be rather flat if you … pronounce the Atriplex to be merely a variety". Suggests sending plants to C. C. Babington.
Regards [W. Kemp’s] plant as clearly only Atriplex patula, though with "an unusual habit".
Adds report on success of his Roman tomb exhibit.
Babington has reared a facsimile [of W. Kemp’s Atriplex] by sowing seeds of A. angustifolia. CD has advised Kemp not to publish since anyone would say it was more probable that the seeds of his specimens were in the soil, than that the ones he found had retained vitality. CD regrets this, as he has no doubt of the antiquity of the seeds.
Sends a specimen of rusty wheat from the banks of the Plata.
Asks for bits of peat he collected
and a bit of the paint used by Fuegians to colour themselves.
He will send these to C. G. Ehrenberg for analysis.
Is at work on second edition of Journal of researches.
Hopes to finish geology of the Beagle by autumn.
Hooker gives "a wonderful account" of Galapagos plants.
CD has bought a farm in Lincolnshire. Criticises primogeniture and stamp laws on land purchase.
Announces birth of G. H. Darwin.
Comments on potato disease and its effects on the poor.
Describes visit to his Lincolnshire farm,
to York where he discussed hybrids with the Dean of Manchester [William Herbert],
his meeting with Charles Waterton, and his delight with Chatsworth.
Disappointed at Hooker’s failure to receive the Edinburgh chair; believes JDH will make a great botanist.
The third and last part of the Geology [South America] will be published in a few days. Apologises for not sending JSH the other volumes.
Has attended Southampton [BAAS] meeting.