The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1878.09.02-10.29. Trifolium resupinatum. CUL-DAR67.55. 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-DAR67 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.

[55]

Sept. 2d 1878 Trifolium resupinatum

The Cotyledons do not rise at night conspicuously or go to sleep — curious considering case of T. strictum.

Bloom

First true leaf rounded on long petiole — no bloom on ~~either~~ upper surface & none on lower surface — sleeps by standing vertically or even inclined over as like terminal leaflet of ordinary leaf. — — Rises & goes to sleep

Sept 8' First true leaf with 3 very small leaflets: — terminal one with bloom on both sides, normally: lateral leaflets with bloom as in mature leaves.

Leaves must be left to wither very slowly. —

~~Let leaves wither slightly & then put on water for absorption~~

Oct 29.; 2 leaves left on chimney piece, & 2 suspended in Bottle with quick-lime (which withered very soon) but I could perceive no difference in the 2 [illeg]; nor when left in water in their power of recovery.—

Bloom

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