The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1863.05.28. Final conclusions - Monochætum. CUL-DAR205.8.41. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 4.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR205.8 contains notes on the genus Monochaetum and other plants.

"Crüger, Dr Hermann, 1818-64. German botanist. 1857-64 Director of Botanic Garden, Trinidad. 1862 Mar. C helped CD with Melostomaceae. 1863 C observed fertilisation in Catasetum and Coryanthes. 1866 CD to Fritz Müller, "I am sorry to say Dr. Crüger is dead from a fever". CCD14:122." (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021.)

[41]

Final conclusions May 28 1863 Monochætum.

Pistil put straight, then rectangularly bent, in this state cannot be fully fertilised; the crimson & large anther then perhaps a little more efficient. This position useless inherited from Heterocentron. When pistil straight, both pollens will fertilise it; yet besides much greater quantity of pollen in crimson anther, its action seem rather more certain, change of colour in anther corelated with first stage of abortion – Pollen incoherent like wild flower; but stigma excessively [illeg] & so borne by insects – This shown by pistil when straight & mature being above opening of large crimson anther could only get on by insects. Flowers sterile without aid. – D. H. Cruger on Bees ready for pollen.

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