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April 19' 1881)

The Protection of Leaves by Bloom

(Introduction)

The observations given in this book originated in the following manner. — Was much struck with so many sensitive Plants as Drosera & Dionæa not affected by stream of water — — I tried a common sensitive Mimosa & leaves instantly closed, & on [illeg] with extreme [illeg] to have drops of water on leaflet wd not adhere. Again I tried stems of [illeg] & Mahonia.

I had been more struck in Brazil & have assume more a position, which seemed to shoot off water & the whole subject seem to me worth investigating & the problem seem had always excited my [2 words illeg]— Notorious as with cabbages & Sea-Kale & like globes of quicksilver.

I soon came to conclusion that if repelling water was one of the uses or effects of bloom, there were probably many other & whole subject seem worth investigating. —

General Miscellaneous Considerations

Describe bloom — Give from diagram Chemical nature (would Frankland analyse that on Cabbages or Sea-Kail) Renewal— not vital process in Yew berries─ Variability differs much in closely allied plants not present on cotyledons— less developed on 1' leaves of Mimosa. —    Case of trifolium with 1/2 leaves.—

Such fine structure & renewal & quantity of secretion must be of use.

We shall see many uses — It seemed to me to protect from insects — from evaporation water-plants─ From water — Salt-water — farm Plain Water, from excess of light — colour of leaves changed by removal of bloom (Parasitic fungi)

Specify the several causes of Bloom, which seemed a priori probable or which observation in the course of my experiments led me to think probable.