RECORD: Darwin, C. R. [ny].08.16-17. Strephium. CUL-DAR68.132. 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.


[132]

Strephium

Leaflets oval — placed alternately — does not look at all like a grass— silvery both sides— Leaflets extended horizontally on each side of petiole or more commonly a little depressed. At night each leaflet rotates so as to stand vertically with upper surface directed towards apex of leaf. (Sleep apparently wholly different from Brongniarts description.) (In the bud the leaflets are involuted, so sleep wholly different movement.)

Aug 14th when about vertical whatever position of the culm the leaflets place themselves almost horizontally with the upper surface looking to zenith; if the culm is vertical, the leaflets at night simply rise up perpendicularly with their apices to the zenith so that the front of one overlay the back of the other & all lie close to culm. If culm is much inclined each leaflet twists on its own axis & then approaches the culm, so that they lie on one vertical plain with one margin to zenith

(over)

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Aug 16th & 17th The leaflet seem to be moving all day. — I on both days syringed for 2 & 2 minute some leaves & shook then but no movement was caused.


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

File last updated 13 July, 2023