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DCP-LETT-3692

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
21 Aug [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (67)
Summary:

Emma and Leonard have scarlet fever.

Houstonia seems "a grand case"; J. T. Rothrock should publish his observations on the two pollens and the reciprocal action of two hermaphrodites.

Rhexia glandulosa offers nothing odd, but Heterocentron will turn out something marvellous like Lythrum.

Would like to know what AG thinks of last chapter of Orchids.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-3710

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
[3–]4 Sept [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (68)
Summary:

Glad AG will publish some separate notes on orchids ["Fertilization of orchids through the agency of insects", Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 34 (1862): 420–9].

Trimorphism in Lythrum.

Bee behaviour.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-3766

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
16 Oct [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (81)
Summary:

Lythrum salicaria is coming out clear.

Would be glad of Nesaea seed.

Is disappointed with Melastoma, but is sure there is something curious to be made out.

His experiments with poisons on Drosera lead him to conclude that it possesses something analogous to nervous matter.

Comments on natural hybrids of Verbascum.

Deplores the Civil War and the feelings it has fostered in Britain.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

JHC143

From:
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
28 October 1862
Source of text:
JDH/2/22/1/1 f.17-18, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary:

JDH hopes to send Asa Gray copies of GENERA PLANTARUM with the autumn box of 'distributa'. JDH discusses Sir John William Dawson's criticisms of one of his essays concerning plant distribution [possibly JDH's introductory essay from FLORA ANTARCTICA], addressing each point in detail. Dawson's objections centre on the flora of Scandinavia & supposed geological inaccuracies, many concerning Greenland. In the past JDH & Sir Charles Bunbury have quashed some of Dawson's palaeobotany papers sent to the Geological Society. JDH is convinced his own conclusions are sound, they have the support of James Hector & Sir Charles Lyell. Dawson is against Darwinism & the theory of evolution by natural selection. JDH notes that there is currently a lot of changes in geological theory & hypotheses in the discipline are difficult to prove, there is an argument about the effectiveness of current species variation & distribution in determining past land formations. JDH believes geological & biological evidence must both be taken into account to form a strong hypothesis. He makes the point that all facts began as theory, just as absolute specific creation is now questioned so may creation by variation be disproved, or it could become established fact. JDH mentions his own work on Welwitschia [mirabilis], specifically characteristics of ovules in male & female flowers, & Gray's work on Cypripedium. Thanks Gray for Asimina & urges him to write a systematic resume of American flora.

Contributor:
Hooker Project

DCP-LETT-3796

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
6 Nov [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (78)
Summary:

Agrees Max Müller’s book [see 3752] is interesting but cannot see how it will further his "cause".

A book by J. W. Colenso [The Pentateuch and book of Joshua critically examined, pt 1 (1862)] has just appeared and will "make a noise".

Would like some observations made on Cypripedium.

Will not publish yet on Lythrum as he must make many more crosses; the mid-styled is fertile with half of its own stamens.

Would like to try a few experiments on tendrils.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-3820

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
23 Nov [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (49)
Summary:

Recommends H. W. Bates’s paper on butterflies of Amazonia ["Insect fauna of the Amazon valley", Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. 23 (1862): 495–566].

Lyell’s book [Antiquity of man (1863)] is eagerly awaited.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-3830

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
26[–7] Nov [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (50)
Summary:

Discusses AG’s article ["Dimorphism", Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 34 (1862): 419–20]. Does not like the terms "dioecio-dimorphism" or "precocious fertilisation". Discusses the separation of sexes in plants; cannot doubt that hermaphroditism is the aboriginal state.

Discusses AG’s observations on orchids and his review of Orchids [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 34 (1862): 138–51].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-3897

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
2 Jan [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (56)
Summary:

Thanks AG for Cypripedium and Mitchella.

Plans to investigate pollination of Cypripedium.

Has finished Linum paper [Collected papers 2: 93–105].

Would welcome facts on "bud-variations".

Hears that Cinchona is dimorphic.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-3927

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
19 Jan [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (57)
Summary:

Comments on his own review of Bates’s butterfly paper [Collected papers 2: 87–92].

Thanks AG for information on Platanthera.

Has been wasting more time with Melastomataceae; can find no nectar in Monochaetum; is there any in Rhexia?

Hopes Lincoln’s "fiat against Slavery" will have some effect.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4006

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
23 Feb [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (55)
Summary:

Recommends Lyell’s book [Antiquity of man (1863)].

Quotes praise of AG’s pamphlet [see 2938].

Comments on U. S. politics.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4053

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
20 Mar [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (58)
Summary:

Discusses the meaning of C. K. Sprengel’s term "dichogamy". Dichogamous plants are functionally monoecious; Primula is functionally dioecious.

Reports Hermann Crüger’s observations of Cattleya and of bees pollinating Catasetum. Crüger will observe Melastomataceae.

Has built a hothouse.

Fears Amsinckia cannot be dimorphic.

Ill health slows his work on Variation.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4110

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
20 Apr [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (51)
Summary:

Fears England and U. S. will drift into war; he and AG must "keep to Science".

Thanks for facts on Incas; regrets he has always avoided the case of man.

Has sent his Linum paper [Collected papers 2: 93–105].

Is it true that Ohio has legislated against marriage of cousins?

Can AG explain the invariable angles in phyllotaxy; are they the consequence of packing in the early bud?

Owen’s comments on heterogeny in the Athenæum [28 Mar 1863] have vexed W. B. Carpenter; CD has replied [Collected papers 2: 78–80].

Hopes AG will observe Gymnadenia; John Scott has been experimenting on its fertilisation.

Gives his observation on pollination of Cypripedium.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4153

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
11 May [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (59)
Summary:

CD despairs when men like AG and Lyell consider themselves incapable of judging on change of species by descent.

Is confused over phyllotaxy.

Has been looking at Plantago lanceolata.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4196

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
31 May [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (84)
Summary:

AG’s review of Alphonse de Candolle’s paper [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 35 (1863): 430–44] is excellent.

Does not AG consider that orchids oppose Oswald Heer’s view that species arise suddenly by monstrosities?

Infers that AG cannot explain the angles of phyllotaxy; has been looking at Carl Nägeli on the subject.

Reports Gaston de Saporta’s belief that natural selection will ultimately triumph in France.

Is working slowly at Variation.

Reports his observations on the imperfect flowers of Viola and Oxalis.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4222

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
26 June [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (82)
Summary:

Thanks AG for references about phyllotaxy

and information on marriage laws.

Has been looking for dimorphism in Phlox and Euonymus.

Has observed the irritability of tendrils of Echinocystis with great interest. Was also struck by the rotating movements of the leading shoots, which he proposes to investigate.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4262

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
4 Aug [1863]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (83)
Summary:

Anticipated AG’s attitude on design in orchids. Does he not think that the variations that gave rise to fancy pigeon varieties were accidental?

Has been working hard at Lythrum

and spontaneous movements of tendrils.

Defends Drosera as a "sagacious animal" but does not know whether he will ever publish on it.

Comments on political situation in U. S.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4415

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
25 Feb [1864]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (80)
Summary:

Has not worked for six months due to illness.

Has been looking at climbing plants.

Hermann Crüger’s paper shows that CD was right about Catasetum pollination. Crüger’s account of pollination of Coryanthes "beats everything".

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4433

From:
Charles Wright
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
20, 25 and 26 Mar 1864 and 1 Apr 1864
Source of text:
DAR 181: 163
Summary:

Describes the flower and mode of action of a particular orchid.

Has been examining Spiranthes and is experimenting to see whether insects are necessary for its fertilisation.

It seems that Oncidium is designed so as not to be fertilised.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4511

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
28 May [1864]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (79)
Summary:

Is slowly writing Lythrum paper [Collected papers 2: 106–31].

Thanks for [Charles?] Wright’s observations on orchids

– could he note what attracts insects to Begonia and Melastoma? H. Crüger, who was going to observe Melastomataceae, has died.

Describes the climbing habits of Bignonia capreolata and Eccremocarpus scaber.

How does AG know the perfect flowers of Voandzeia are quite sterile?

He has a case of dimorphism in holly; asks AG to report on American hollies.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project

DCP-LETT-4611

From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
13 Sept [1864]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (89)
Summary:

Has finished Climbing plants;

resuming work on Variation.

Sends abstract of John Scott’s paper [see 4332].

Has received review of Herbert Spencer but cannot believe AG wrote it unless he has muddled his brains with metaphysics.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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