The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1877.07.18-08.02. Coucumber / Pea Pods. CUL-DAR66.116. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2023. 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-DAR66 contains notes on 'bloom'. Francis Darwin explained: "His researches into the meaning of the 'bloom,' or waxy coating found on many leaves, was one of those inquiries which remained unfinished at the time of his death. He amassed a quantity of notes on the subject". LL3: 339. See an Introduction to these folders by Christine Chua & John van Wyhe.

[116]

1877 Coucumber —Young & flower about 6 inches

July 18 9˚ 30'— cleaned one with water 8˚ to 9˚

July 20'. 7˚ Pm The cleaned & large coucumber more flexible & I think shrivelled — The one on dry plate with bloom also rather flaccid.

July 21'. 3˚ The cleaned fruit, more flaccid than the one with bloom which has not been watered

July 25 one end of not cleaned cannot be wetted

― 27 not much difference in any of them.

Pea Pods

July 22d 9˚ 20' — 5 almost ripe pea-pods cleaned of very little bloom left on them & 5 in natural state to be syringed with Ether spray 3 or 4 times daily — On the uncleaned water remain on in more spherical drops—

(July 29' Put on Blotting Paper)

Aug 2d 8˚ no difference or if any the ones not cleaned are in worst state; but pods too old, they have ripened, notwithstanding wetting

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