RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1874.09.05. Tropaeolum majus / Draft of Cross and self fertilisation. CUL-DAR209.7.120. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and John van Wyhe, edited by John van Wyhe 8.2022. RN2
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 volumes CUL-DAR209.7-8 contain notes on heliotropism (phototropism) for Darwin's book Movement in plants (1880).
[120]
Sept 5
Tropaeolum majus Heliotropism of first inclined already a little pointed from light [sketch of sighting tool]
59 [-] 33 [=] 26
8° 42' first dot.
9. 8— moved greatly
9 18 ✔
9 . 24 1/2
9 . 29 (1)
9 33 1/2
9 . 40 3 dots
9. 58 several dots
9 . 59 ✔ (Used)
10 2 1/2 ✔
10 12 ✔ X
Vertical glass
|
Frank |
12. 53 up |
10 40 |
|
✔4 24 up |
Young seedling |
|
|
this was done marked with point of shell-lac. |
Four Young
10' 11 first
10 20
10 29
10 . 34
10 41
10 45
10' 51'
11. 3 1/2
11 10
11 . 20 (Used)
11 . 37
11 . 40
11 58
12 . 5
12 18 to right
12 49 back from light
12 54 left & to light
1 . 28 left & from light
1 . 53 to R & from light
2. 24 to R. & from light
2 . 53 to R. & to L— but just beyond glass
3 . 53 to L. but just beyond glass— very thick line
4. 26 to Light (a true mark)
4 . 58 on vertical glass
5 15 down & to R.
5 . 30 same course
5 . 48
7° 20 much down
(Used)
[120v]
20
Introduction
discussed. In some few cases of spontaneously self-fertile species the flowers were allowed to fertilise themselves under the net; and in still fewer cases uncovered plants were allowed to be freely crossed by the insects which incessantly visited them. There are some great advantages and some disadvantages in my having occasionally diversified the varied my method of proceeding; which but when this occurred, it is always specified so stated under the head of each species.
Care was taken that the seed was thoroughly ripened before being gathered. Afterwards the crossed and self-fertilised seeds were in most cases placed on damp sand on opposite
[in margin:] Specimen page
[Cross and self fertilisation, p. 11: "But this and some other sources of error will presently be discussed. In some few cases of spontaneously self-fertile species, the flowers were allowed to fertilise themselves under the net; and in still fewer cases uncovered plants were allowed to be freely crossed by the insects which incessantly visited them. There are some great advantages and some disadvantages in my having occasionally varied my method of proceeding; but when there was any difference in the treatment, it is always so stated under the head of each species.
Care was taken that the seeds were thoroughly ripened before being gathered. Afterwards the crossed and self-fertilised seeds were in most cases placed on damp sand on opposite sides of a glass tumbler covered by a glass plate, with a partition between the two lots; and the glass was placed on the chimney-piece in a warm room."]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 18 December, 2025