RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Miller, Elements of Chemistry. CUL-DAR60.2.35b. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 12.2022. 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 volumes CUL-DAR 54-61 contain material for Darwin's book Insectivorous plants (1875).
[35b]
Miller's El. of Chemistry Part I. 1867
p. 87 — "Dilute acids & sol's of acid salts generally produce a current in the opposite direction; consequently the column falls in the osmometer. This effect is distinguished as negative osmose."
This accounts for strong colour & action of so many acids on Drosera.—
[Insectivorous plants, p. 197: "Diluted acids are known to induce negative osmose,* and the poisonous action of so many acids on Drosera is, perhaps, connected with this power, for we have seen that the fluids in which they were immersed often became pink, and the glands pale-coloured or white.
* Miller's 'Elements of Chemistry,' part i. 1867, p. 87."]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 18 February, 2023