RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1863.03.23-04.01. Amsinckia spectabilis. CUL-DAR110.B2. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 1.2023. RN1
NOTE: Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR108-111 contain material for Darwin's book Forms of flowers (1877). See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here.
"Horwood, John, 1823-c.1880 G.H. Turnbull's head gardener. 1862-63 H superintended
building of CD's hothouse." (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A companion, 2021.)[2]
Amsinckia spectabilis — March 23-63
[in margin:] Borragineæ — Alt [illeg]
Mr Horwoods plant, with pistil stigma in all flowers, which I have seen considerably below anther; but variable.
In 2 or 3 plants of mine stigma on level with anther. In some flowers anthers stamens a little short, with anthers small, yet with some pollen, & in these from shortness of stamen, stigma stands a little above anther; but I doubt dimorphic—
Pollen in both forms same dimension swollen with water viz 11/7000 in narrowest diameter.— Stigma apparently same in both.—
(April 1st— I have now looked at many flowers on many plants; not dimorphic: the 1st flowers are liable to have stamen partially aborted, & pistil is rather variable in length.) — Both forms seed, when not visited by insects — I observe lowest or first flower has generally not set capsule.—
[2v]
Asa Gray's letter of 9/11/61 pinned here
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 21 April, 2023