RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Miller, Elements of chemistry, vol. 1. CUL-DAR76.B142. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 12.2022. 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 volumes CUL-DAR 76-79 contain material for Darwin's book Cross and self fertilisation (1876).
[142]
Miller's Chemistry Vol I p. 11.
The greater the difference of the 2 bodies the more intense is their tendency to mutual chemical action —
Can it be in the reign of organic chemistry, that there may be too great a difference
But it is not only union, but the growth of resultant organism.—
[Cross and self fertilisation, p. 456: "As Professor Miller remarks: "Generally speaking, the greater the difference in the properties of two bodies, the more intense is their tendency to mutual chemical action...But between bodies of a similar character the tendency to unite is feeble."*
* 'Elements of Chemistry' 4th edition 1867 part i. page 11. Dr. Frankland informs me that similar views with respect to chemical affinity are generally accepted by chemists."]
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 1 June, 2023