The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1873.10.02-04. Cabbage & Sea-Kale. CUL-DAR66.24. 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.

[24]

1873

Cabbage & Seakale

Oct. 2d to Oct 4th (8˚ Am) I removed bloom with ether from small portion of common cabbage. Red Cabbage & S. Kale & put small drops of water on them & on bloom.

The leaves were kept in n. room. The Temp varying only from 64° to 61°1/2. The quantity of water was small, was put into watch-glasses & was made equal & then evaporated. The water stood for 48° — At above low temp. there was no clear difference in that from green cabbage or sea-kale; but from Red cabbage there was a well-marked difference. The matter extracted retained water with much force & cd be dried with difficulty.— There was very little difference in water which had rested on the bloom, & that poured fresh from Dr. Oldlings purest water.

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