The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1881.07.11. Phyllanthus compressus. CUL-DAR67.70. 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.

(2A (B

July 11th 1881

Phyllanthus compressus— leaves with bloom on both sides waved for 1' in water at 90°, both surfaces well wetted, but lower wet cd be blown away, so bloom more easily affected than in case of P. consanguineus. —

A branch was syringed with water at 90° for 5' but I cd not perceive any movement, & F. Muller says one species was not affected by rain.

[in margin:] No Movements & nature of bloom

Another branch from our case syringed from above for 4' with water at 90°. 3d leaf from end & youngish did not move, whereas the 2d leaf on opposite side a little younger, moved forward 14°.— so I may say occasionally a trace of movement on very young leaves —

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