The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1877.08.31-09.17. Salicornia macrostachya. CUL-DAR66.181. 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.

[181]

Salicornia macrostachya

Aug 31. 1877 5˚ P.m

Sponged branch marked with white wool (had been in salt water & bloom not renewed, but sponged again) & another fresh branch with good bloom.

Sept 1 5˚ Pm. I think cleaned look shrivelled

Perhaps I used too warm water.

Sept 3d I think cleaned looks perhaps more shrunk

― 4 I think so certainly

― 5 Frank says enormous difference

6th They now look equally dry

8th tip of cleaned shoot blackened

(over)

[181v]

Sept 12th 11˚ 30'

Two new specimens — White w. larger spec. Sponged quite tepid—

Yellow bl w. with bloom

Sept 13th 8˚ 15' A.m. I think already cleaned more shrivelled

& Sept 16' 8˚ There can be no doubt about the much greater dryness of the cleaned specimen.

Sept 17' There can be no doubt — tips of shoots show the difference particularly well.

F agrees with difference

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