RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 10.1874. Rudiments on tentacles [sketches]. CUL-DAR61.73v. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed and edited by John van Wyhe 6.2025. 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-DAR 54-61 contain material for Darwin's book Insectivorous plants (1875).
The volume CUL-DAR61 contains Darwin's draft essay 'On the movement of the leaves of Drosera', written 1872-1873. He intended to publish this with a revised edition of Climbing plants before commencing a larger book draft in April 1874 which became Insectivorous plants. See the introduction to this essay by John van Wyhe.
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Oct. 21st 74. Rudiments on tentacles — almost entirely on lower side, numerous — consist of divided, (in one case qualified) spherical cell or 2 hemispherical — one short conical protuberance, rising from modified cells of tentacles, & containing much granular protoplasm.
[sketch] — 1 of 2 hemispherical cell — primordial foot of cell
[sketch] view from above —altered cells of tentacle
(Say generally 2 hemispherical cells consisting slight broad conical prominence & then springing from cells of tentancles of different character & smaller than those of other parts —
I fully believe from power of abortion remnant rudiments of glands in reduced & improper state
The flattening of t' accord with those being rudiments of down of leaves.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 23 February, 2026