C. V. Riley’s case of Pronuba moth and the fertilisation of Yucca, is the most wonderful case of fertilisation ever published [Am. Nat. 7 (1873): 619–23].
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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.
C. V. Riley’s case of Pronuba moth and the fertilisation of Yucca, is the most wonderful case of fertilisation ever published [Am. Nat. 7 (1873): 619–23].
Thinks Frank and he have worked out Pinguicula well and they long to attack Utricularia. Tried several plants with sticky glandular hairs; some few absorb ammonia, but the greater number do not. If JDH sends plant or seed of Lychnis CD will examine it to see whether it catches many flies. Asa Gray has written him much about Sarracenia, with a specimen showing the splendid dodge by which ground insects are enticed up and then drowned. Describes how it may be investigated, to see whether it absorbs decayed matter from flies, or ammonia thus generated.
It would be interesting to prove that some plants feed on decayed animal matter whilst others like Drosera can digest fresh animal matter. Suggests the method for observing this.
Suggests experiments to try [with Nepenthes]. Asks JDH to test whether cabbage seeds and peas exposed to the ferment germinate.
The Acacia must be Belt’s "Bulls’ horns".
The complexity of Utricularia has driven Frank and CD almost mad. Suspects it is necrophagous, i.e., it cannot digest, but absorbs decaying animal matter.
Foster is certainly in error. Every insect that Drosera catches causes aggregation.
"It is grand about Nepenthes."
JDH is welcome to notice in any way any of CD’s published or unpublished results with insectivorous plants. Gives an abstract of his observations on Drosera.
JDH should do as he likes with insectivorous plant materials.
He has always thought telling JDH what he has been doing was as good as publishing.
Cephalotus seems as horrid a puzzle as Utricularia.
Nepenthes will turn out a great job if the pitchers of different species act differently. JDH’s paper on Nepenthes [Rep. BAAS 44 (1874): 102–16] is too long for CD’s book. Well deserves a place in Philosophical Transactions.
It is splendid how Nepenthes is behaving. Drosera and Dionaea are insignificant by comparison.
Takes rather a malicious pleasure in JDH’s failure with Cephalotus as a match to his with Utricularia.
Thanks JDH for his "quite admirable" address [Rep. BAAS 44 (1874) pt 2: 102–16]. Suggests revisions.
CD thinks he is "now on right track about Utricularia" after wasting several weeks "in fruitless trials and observations".
Mrs Barber’s paper is very curious and ought to be published.
Lady Dorothy Nevill has no Dionaea.
CD anxious to talk with JDH about Utricularia.
Describes his observations on Utricularia montana.
Asks JDH to cut a bit of root from old Utricularia and bring it with him to Down.
Queries about species of Utricularia.
The Aldrovanda has arrived. Has examined the leaves. It is an aquatic Dionaea which has acquired some structures identical to those of Utricularia!
Thanks JDH for extract on Hedychium pollination; it shows CD’s prior interpretation was incorrect.
Asks JDH for leaves of Byblis and Roridula to examine, and D. Oliver for an anomalous species of Utricularia.
Extremely glad to have JDH come to Down. It is wise of JDH to exert himself and face the inevitable as well as he can. [Death of JDH’s wife, 13 Nov.]
Quite agrees with JDH on inadvisability of Huxley’s taking on the Edinburgh lectures.
Is awaiting JDH’s memorial to the Board [of Works?] on his burdensome duties.
Glad to hear JDH finds ease in his work.
Has forwarded JDH’s memorial to T. H. Farrer to take up with Sir Stafford Northcote and to ask him to consider the case of Kew personally. Has told Farrer that JDH was thinking of resigning if Government would not give him an assistant secretary.
Farrer has taken the case to Northcote. JDH’s letter will show how overworked he is.