RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [ny].07.13-08.08 Sedum - large fleshy leaves. CUL-DAR68.108. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 4.2023. 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-DAR68 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.
[108]
Sedum — large fleshy leaves
The bloom causes drop to roll off beautifully. —
July 13th 11° 15 removed bloom with sponge from 2 leaves but their surface greasy, put on drops of distilled water — Rubbed for short time (3d leaf black wool) with pumice & left dry.
This latter leaf by 4° P.m. was considerably shrivelled.)
July 26th. 9° Both leaves cracked longitudinally & cracks viz brown & on one leaf some small brown spots. White W
July 26th 8° 30' — Cleaned with sponge & tep almost cold water 3 other leaves: also cleaned space of stem & put against it wet sponge; beautiful & thick bloom on stem.
Aug 8th 9° The 3 leaves (now marked black wool) more the axis with sponge in the least affected by water. The former leaves (white wool) are very much injured, & I think that I must have sponged them too hard & abraded than a little. —
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 13 July, 2023