RECORD: Anon. 1877. [Review of Forms of flowers]. Daily American (Nashville, Tennessee)(29 December): 18. 

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 11.2022. RN1


[page] 18

"The Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species," Dr. Charles Darwin's latest work, has just been received. No one who has read the works of the same author on climbing plants and other kindred botanical subjects will fail to read this. With the modesty of genius, he disclaims any title to be called a botanist, and one might fairly wonder what knowledge it takes to make a botanist. There are some things in all these books the general reader will not comprehend, but the subject is so lucidly treated that he must have little interest in nature who is not deligted [sic] with its perusal, and who does not learn much that is curious, interesting and valuable. One of the beauties of these works is that the writer deals in facts. They are there for use, whatever theories may prevail, but the line if investigation is the philosophical line of Mr. Darwin. That is the thread of continuity in all his investigations, and yet no man ever succeeded so well in preserving his line of facts as something established in themselves. If his theories should fail, his facts are still left as a contribution to science. There is this air of truth about his manner which gives his writing a rare charm.

 


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 22 November, 2022