The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. & Emma Darwin. 1864.01.31. Bignonia Unguis. CUL-DAR157.1.121. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 4.2023. RN1

The volumes CUL-DAR157.1-2 contain notes, abstracts etc. for Darwin's long paper and later book Climbing plants (1865). It was also commercially available as a softbound offprint, F834, F834a. See R. B. Freeman's bibliographical introduction. Items CUL-DAR157.1.11-60 were in a folder marked "Twiners". Items CUL-DAR157.1.61-112 were in a folder marked "Leaf-climbers" and items CUL-DAR157.1.114-147 were in a folder marked "Tendrils". Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.

[121]

Bignonia Unguis Jan 31 1864

A better climber than I thought.

Peduncle moves most. I am almost certain main peduncle of leaf curves on contact. (This with cases of Gloriosa, Trop. tric. & Clematis makes me strongly suspect that all tendrils are first leaf climbers.

Good because genesis of tendrils otherwise inexplicable.

N. B. When tendrils formed other leaflets abnormally may be changed. I have seen case in vetch.—

How is this if botanists are right that some tendrils are stems?

Mem. What disputes in cucurb.

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Though I may not trust movement in study, is a slower mover in hothouse. Upright stick put near projecting shoot was caught by the peduncle. Shoots generally caught by the hooks seems never to twine fully. It is pretty how 3 claws catch one tarsus or peduncle of leaf, & well secure branch & replaces the winding round of several turns of common tendrils —

Catching by leaves the twining became reversed

Base of leaves sensitive, so that both leaves twine round stick.

Claw tendrils not sensitive to mere touch

All shoot tendrils require pressure??

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