RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [1874]. Drosera / stick with Blue / Proof sheet of Expression. CUL-DAR57.87-89. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Text prepared and edited by John van Wyhe. 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 volumes CUL-DAR 54-61 contain material for Darwin's book Insectivorous plants (1875).
87
Drosera. June 17th 7. 45
3 2 Sticks with Blue-Paper Heads. 3 leaves with little square of Spinach Leaves on discs
18th 7º. 45' (n 10) leaf with hardly any inflection
(19' ― ,O,) (20th, O) (21' 7. 30, O)
18th 8' (No 3) with all sub-marginal
(19' pretty closely inflected with some marginals)
(20' 7. 30' I suspect beginning to reexpand
(21' 7. 30 completely open, the bit of leaf discoloured & bathed in slightly acid secretion)
18th 8'O (Blue Head;) with sub marginals & lam. on one side
19' 7. 30 lam. not inflected —& I think altogether not so close
20th 7. 30' beginning to expand (21' 7. 30' completely open)
Exactly The same results were observed when small squr bits of spinch leaves were tried.; the lam gland [illeg] frst secrtng a [illeg] medium amount of acid secretion & the leaves of the Drosera remaining inflected for 3 days.
87v
88
June 20' Drosera (I must say that fibrin not nearly do well dissolved as albumen meat, cartilage &c.)It is plain that fibrin excites D. very little
7. 50' A.m. Pure fibrin (B. Sanderson)
——
Stick (7) 2 2 bits — about 1/20' of inch think
(21' 7. 30', one bit dried up — the other had with few short surrounding tentacles closely inflected round it (22d 7. 30' these few gland have much liquefied the fibrin, but not dissolved it.)
(I have put too small pieces, sufficiently to excite the plant)
23d 7. 45' I think I can see a trace yet (24' 8. 30 completely dissolved)
Stick (2.) 2 bits (21' 7. 30'. dried up.) 22d 7. 30' the other bit all liquefied, yet I see atom undissolved — glands pale)
(23d 7. 45' I can still see atom I have moved it to another outer t. to right of fly.
(24' 8. 30' completely dissolved)
On other Plate 2 Black wool Each with 1 Bit (21' 7' 30 1 has caused very little inflection & the other only the short immediately surrounding tentacles (22d 7. 30' both well clasped & short surrounding tentacles (23d 8. both completely dissolved; much secretion on disc acid in one case
20th 12. 50' 2 Bits on 2 leaves sticks with rings on Hothouse plate (2. added a little saliva, as seem dry)
21' 7. 30' A.m. Both leaves with lam. closely inflected, examined one carefully & all fibrin completely liquefied & transparent (22d 7. 30' I can see trace in other leaf which is now expanded) 23d 8. all dissolved in both leaves
88v
89
June 22d 8. 27' 3 leaves (2 sticks with white wool)
Cats Ear (Drosera)
bits of ear of cat B. Sanderson with cartilage of ear containing elastic fibres (abut 1/15' of inch square) (He has put do into digestive fluid) (Touched glands with saliva)
24th 8. 30' still closely inflected
25 8. 2 leaves almost reexpanded.— In one I can see only dried matter, quit thin & points drawn out into thread: in the other some little opake white matter left — 3d leaf still closely inflected)
The most transparent piece shows a network of elastic tissue fibres which do not disappear with acetic acid— They become more evident showing probably there was some undigested areolar tissue which the acid clears up—
(26th 8. third leaf still inflected
(27' 8 ― ― beginning to open
28' 8. expanded— all liquefied, but a good deal of opake matter left in fibre & little acetic. There are a great many elastic fibres and some other tissue which I cant make out. which dies not appear to be areolar, & some hairs
89v
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 30 November, 2025