Search: Darwin, C. R. in addressee 
Gray, Asa in correspondent 
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
22 May 1855
Source of text:
DAR 106: D1–D2
Summary:

Has filled up CD’s paper [see 1674].

Distribution and relationships of alpine flora in U. S.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
30 June 1855
Source of text:
DAR 165: 92a
Summary:

Sends a list of "close" species from his Manual of botany.

Hopes Hooker or CD will write an essay on species. Discusses some of the difficulties of defining botanical species.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[early Aug 1856]
Source of text:
DAR 165: 93
Summary:

Believes intermediate varieties are generally less numerous in individuals than the two states that they connect.

Discusses the difficulties of deciding what is the typical form of a species

and gives some opinions on the variability of introduced species compared with indigenous species.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
23 Sept 1856
Source of text:
DAR 165: 94
Summary:

Plants that are social in the U. S. but are not so in the Old World.

Distribution of U. S. species common to Europe.

Gives Theodor Engelmann’s opinion on the relative variability of indigenous and introduced plants and notes the effects of man’s settlement on the numbers and distribution of indigenous plants.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 Nov 1856
Source of text:
DAR 165: 95
Summary:

Outlines the ranges of northern U. S. species common to Europe. Hopes to investigate the resemblances between the floras of the north-eastern U. S. and western Europe. Discusses routes by which alpine plants appear to have reached U. S.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
16 Feb 1857
Source of text:
DAR 165: 96
Summary:

Discusses the ranges of alpine species in U. S. and considers the possible migration routes of such species from Europe.

Lists those U. S. genera which he considers protean and describes the U. S. character of some genera which are protean in Europe.

Describes how he distinguishes introduced and aboriginal stocks of the same species.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[c. 24 May 1857]
Source of text:
DAR 165: 97
Summary:

Discusses difficulties involved in deciding which genera are protean in the light of some comments by H. C. Watson.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
1 June 1857
Source of text:
DAR 8: 47bA
Summary:

Comments on species with disjoined ranges; does not feel, despite CD’s expectations, that they tend to belong to small families.

Gives the proportion of U. S. trees in which the sexes are separate [see Natural selection, p. 62].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
7 July 1857
Source of text:
DAR 205.9: 381; DAR 165: 98
Summary:

Believes, with CD, that extinction may be an important factor in explaining plant distributions, but sees no reason why the several species of a genus must ever have had a common or continuous area. "Convince me of that, or show me any good grounds for it … and I think you would carry me a good way with you". It is just such people as AG that CD has to satisfy and convince.

Feels that the crossing of individuals is important in repressing variation and perhaps in perpetuating the species, but instances some plants in which it cannot, apparently, take place.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[Aug 1857]
Source of text:
DAR 165: 100, 101
Summary:

States he has "misgivings about the definiteness of species". Believes there is some inherent tendency for plants to originate varieties. Cross-fertilisation is likely in most cases but sees difficulties with plants like Adlumia.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[before 3 Apr 1858]
Source of text:
DAR 165: 103
Summary:

List of close species taken from AG’s Manual of botany [1848].

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
21 June 1858
Source of text:
DAR 76: B15
Summary:

Self-fertilisation in Fumariaceae.

[CD note on bees’ visiting some members of Fumariaceae.]

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[10 Jan 1860]
Source of text:
DAR 98 (ser. 2): 26a
Summary:

Agassiz denounces Origin as "atheistical";

AG is currently reviewing it [in Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 29 (1860): 153–84].

Jeffries Wyman praises it, though not a convert.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
23 Jan 1860
Source of text:
DAR 98 (ser. 2): 22–5
Summary:

American edition of Origin. AG’s assessment of the book’s weak and strong points. Suggests Jeffries Wyman would be a useful source of facts and hints for CD.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
20 Feb 1860
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (37)
Summary:

Arrangements for the American edition of Origin.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[10 July 1860]
Source of text:
DAR 110 (ser. 2): 77
Summary:

Cases of "dioecio-dimorphism" as in primroses are widespread. AG always considered them the first step toward bisexuality.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
27 and 29 Aug 1861 and 2 Sept 1861
Source of text:
DAR 110 (ser. 2): 76
Summary:

Gives some observations on the sensitivity of Drosera species and comments on cases of "dioecio-dimorphism".

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
11 Oct 1861
Source of text:
DAR 109: 82–3, DAR 110 (ser. 2): 117, DAR 111: 83
Summary:

Notes several cases of "dioecio-dimorphism" in different genera; feels the discovery of pollen that will act only on the pistil of another flower is most important. Believes CD should next turn his attention to investigating cases of "precocious fertilisation".

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
9 Nov 1861
Source of text:
DAR 110 (ser. 2): 63–4
Summary:

Discusses observations of his own and of John Torrey on dimorphism, especially in Amsinckia.

Is trying to find specimens of Houstonia for CD.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
31 Dec 1861
Source of text:
DAR 110 (ser. 2): 65, DAR 165: 104–105
Summary:

Discusses dimorphism and suggests CD investigate Valeriana.

Praises CD’s views with respect to the U. S. Civil War and relations with England. Worsening relations between Britain and U. S.

Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project