RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1877.08.29-09.20. Oxalis sensitiva. CUL-DAR66.177. 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.
[177]
1877
Oxalis sensitiva & Dripping
Aug 29th — 11˚ 30'
Leaf nearly full-grown & dark green — row of leaflets with drops of water on right side of leaf on gutta percha, from fine pins to crossed pins.
Sept 11' freed leaf — no injury — The leaflets are on right side, all below white thread, except 4 small basal ones.
Sept 20th — There is no difference in the leaves on which the drops rested.
Sept 12th. 8˚ 45' placed fully-grown leaf, about as old as that which had drops on it, under a dripping cork, whence moderately sized drops fell from height of 14 1/2 inches on midrib, not far from end of leaf, which rested on cork.
Sept 16. 8˚. A.m. portion of leaflets infiltrated(?)
― 18th 8˚ A.m. freed leaf, & tied red wool beneath leaflets on which single drip fell. — I am doubtful about infiltration or injury —
Sept 19th examined leaf again, no trace of injury from the dripping!
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 6 July, 2023