RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. When I speak of night-flowering plants smelling sweetly only at night. CUL-DAR69.B32. 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: Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR69 contains material for new editions of some of Darwin's books: supplemental note for Descent (2d ed. 1877), French trans. of 5th & 6th eds. of Origin; Coral reefs (2d ed. 1874); Coral reefs (3d ed. 1889); Climbing plants (2d ed. 1875); and Cross and self fertilisation (2d ed. 1878).
[B32]
When I speak of night-flowering plants smelling sweetly only at night — as economy, say probably to f not to attract ill-adapted insects, in accordance with views of Kerner. — (Used without any reference to Kerner in last reprint.)
When I speak of protection of pollen & nectar (p. 376) from rain — add to prevent depletion of cr of nectar by crawling insects —
(see Back) About Fern & insect — add this
F. Muller finds that this plant is protected in S. Braz from the f leaf- cutting ants.
[B32v]
I have no doubt that the facts of the Pteris secreting sugar has led to its protection & survival in Brazil, (where as Belt shows plants require protection), but this by no means proves that originated for this purpose — anymore that the essential oil in Orange-leaves which I think Belt says can survive in B S. America.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 27 August, 2023