From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
15 July [1862]
Source of text:
DAR 110 (ser. 2): 116, DAR 165: 113
Summary:
Observations on Platanthera.
Possibility of trimorphism in Mertensia.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
21 July 1862
Source of text:
DAR 165: 114
Summary:
Encloses stamps for Leonard Darwin.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
23[–4] July [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (76)
Summary:
AG’s orchid observations are admirable.
Owen has lectured on birds’ descending from one form.
French criticism of CD’s Primula paper.
Only AG has seen that Orchids was "a ""flank movement"" on the enemy".
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
28 July [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (75)
Summary:
AG’s "capital" review of Orchids [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 34 (1862): 138–44].
Thinks there are three forms of Lythrum salicaria.
Discusses transport of seeds by sea.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
29 July 1862
Source of text:
DAR 165: 115
Summary:
Is observing Gymnadenia tridentata.
Has received six copies of Orchids.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 Aug 1862
Source of text:
DAR 110 (ser. 2): 67–9
Summary:
Gives J. T. Rothrock’s observations on the structure and fertility of the two forms of Houstonia. Mentions his own observations on Rhexia virginica and Gymnadenia tridentata.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Asa Gray
Date:
9 Aug [1862]
Source of text:
Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (71)
Summary:
Believes Lythrum is trimorphic. Asks AG for seeds of plants he suspects are polymorphic.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
18–19 Aug 1862
Source of text:
DAR 165: 111, 116
Summary:
Notes and observations on orchids.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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
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
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
5 Sept 1862
Source of text:
DAR 111: 81, DAR 165: 117
Summary:
Suggests CD try to get Lythrum hyssopifolia from France.
Dimorphic flowers.
Differences between newly opened and older orchids.
Flowers of Spiranthes and Goodyera.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
22 Sept 1862
Source of text:
DAR 165: 118, 119
Summary:
Last chapter of Orchids opens up a "knotty sort of question about accident or design".
Changes in orchid flowers as they age.
Thinks CD may find trimorphism in Nesaea verticillata.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
4 and 13 Oct 1862
Source of text:
DAR 165: 120
Summary:
Thinks Max Müller’s Lectures on the science of language [1861–4] will do a real service to CD and natural selection.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
27 Oct 1862
Source of text:
DAR 165: 121
Summary:
Sends Nesaea seeds for CD
and stamps for Leonard Darwin.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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
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
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
10 Nov 1862
Source of text:
DAR 165: 122
Summary:
AG has Cypripedium to send to CD.
Civil War and English feelings.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Asa Gray
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
17 Nov 1862
Source of text:
DAR 165: 123
Summary:
Flower structure of Cypripedium insigne.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
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