RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [1877].07.30-08.22. Mahonia aquifolia. CUL-DAR66.147. 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.
[147]
July 30' 4˚. 30' — Mahonia aquifolia (Green berries, silvery under water)
6 green berries with bloom removed & 6 with bloom on, syringed with ether spray many times in 24˚.
(Aug 5 8˚ Those with bloom more shrivelled, I suppose that the others have absorbed water.)
(Aug 7' do & riper)
Aug 22d all the 12 were squashed — of the 6 with bloom the colour of the juice was good excepted 1 — Of the 6 with bloom removed 3 were discoloured & 3 of proper colour.
July 30th 4˚ 30 6 green berries cleaned & 6 uncleaned left to dry. —
Aug 1st 8 The uncleaned rather the most wrinkled! depends on age.
(Aug 2d 8˚ no difference in the 2 lots)
(Aug 5 & 8th 8˚ Those wetted bloom most shrivelled from I suppose not absorbing water) equally shrivelled
(Aug 8' The cleaned seem dryer & harder)
Aug 17th Hardly any difference perhaps 2 or 3 of cleaned a shade drier: now all shrivelled & thrown away.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 5 July, 2023