RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1867-1871.11.11. Tobacco in greenhouse / Nicotiana tabacum / Draft fragments of Descent vol. 1: 178ff and vol. 2, folio 57. CUL-DAR79.117-136. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and John van Wyhe, edited by John van Wyhe 3.2023. RN3

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).


(94

Tobacco in greenhouse 1867

Nicotiana tabacum

12 flowers crossed gave 10 pods & 5 pods contained by weight only 14.40 gr. of seed.

12 fl. self-fert. gave 11 pods & 5 pods contained 25.78 gr. of seed; so very much fewer, more as far as 5 pods serves.

I was so much surprised at this result that I cleaned 5 more pods of each sort. & now

10 crossed pods weighed 31.70 gr of seed

10 self-pods [do] 47.67 gr.

So self much more fertile!!!

(May 20' 68/ In Pot 2 & 3 the self- finest plants.)

(July 9th 68. Tallest plant on each side measured

Pot.

Crossed—

Self

Crossed Dec. 6— 1868

Self

[excised table]

 

 

 

 

(& going to flower)

 

 

 

 

 

In all selfs flowered first

 

 

 

 

 

Plants crowded in this Pot

The Pots were rather small, so plants did not nearly attain full height─

In all selfs flowered first

Plant crowded in this Pot

During Oct. or November I sow 2 Pots A & B thickly with some of same seed to see if any mistake, & now Dec 6 /68/ the plants to tips of leaves are 13-14 inches & no marked difference in either Pot on either side.— /over

[94v]

Jan 24 /69/ In Pot A (of bottom of last page)

Tallest crossed plant to tip of leaves 18 1/2 inch

[do] self [do] [do] [do] [do] 22

22 [-] 18. 1/2 [=] 3.1/2

In Pot B tallest crossed [do] [do] [do] 26 1/2

[do] Self [do] [do] 24 1/2

These plants were very crowded, & selfs no decided advantage, & in former experiment the very crowded plants did not show so much inequality, which is exactly reverse of all ordinary cases. —

(June 15. 1869 I also raised some plants from same seed as above, for the sake of fresh crossing & kept 2 plants in each large Pot in Hothouse, [text excised]

now plants are [text excised]

selfs are 2 [text excised]

crossed plants. —

94

31.5 [÷] 4 [=] 7.87  Average
59.5 [÷] 4 [=] 14.87  Average

74 [÷] 4 [=] 18.5  Average
131 [÷] 4 [=] 32.75  Average

(95

Tobacco— Early in June 1868 9? — 12 fl. carefully crossed by plants in adjoining pots whilst young & 12 carefully self-f[text excised]

produced pods— 2d Generation?? Seed must be caref[text excised]

seed from 10 crossed weighed 3 [text excised]

― do self-pods ― 3 [text excised]

So that greater fertility of self-fer[text excised]

error or at least not [text excised]

Aug. 16. 69— the above seed pla[text excised]

(Sept 2 69. The crossed have germinated [text excised]

but I believe that seeds from diff[text excised]

constitutions; for a certain [text excised]

germinated before the other crossed [text excised]

(see over for measure [text excised]

Plants when full-

[95v]

May 2d 1870

[text excised] N. B The Plants in flower measured to tip of calyx, & those not so to tip of axis.

 

 

 

 

Pot

Crossed

Self

 

 

 

VI

49 4/8

 

 

 

 

VII

 

47 6/8

 

 

 

VIII

55

 

 

 

 

IX

 

59 4/8

 

 

 

X

63 2/8

 

 

 

 

XI

 

70 2/8

 

 

 

Total

167 6/8

177 4/8

divide by 4.

 

 

 

make average

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

511 5/8

413 6/8

 

 

 

 

Then add up both the totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

679 3/8

591 2/8

 

 

 

 

& make fresh average dividng both sides by 17

 

 

 

 

95

511.625 [÷] 13 [=] 39.35 Average

413.75 [÷] 13 [=] 31.82 Average

167.75 [÷] 3 [=] 55.91 Average

177.5 [÷] 3 [=] 59.16 Average

679.375 [÷] 16 [=] 42.46 Average

591.25 [÷] 16 [=] 36.95  Average

(95A

Tobacco. 1870

The 2 self Plants in Pot III A & B of last page, which were much taller than 3rd Generation the 2 crossed plants in same pot, had each 4 flowers fert. with own, & 3 on each self-fert plant fert. with pollen from same o some crossed plant in another Pot.— The seed from each pod put separately in watch glasses, & from both plants there certainly seemed rather more seed in the self-fert. Pot pods than in the crossed. (see next Page 95 B for measurement)

(95B

Tobacco March 10' 1871. Two self-fertilised plants, marked A & B (see last page for parent— were again self-fertilised & crossed by other crossed Plants, & from both these plants, seedlings 3d generation were raised of which the following are measurements up to tips base of tip & calyx.

Pot .

Crossed

Self-fert

 

 

 

self first flowered (N. B the little * plants measured t tips of leaves)

 

 

 

Crossed first

 

 

 

Crossed first

 

 

 

Self first

A V.

 

Self tallest of Pair

The crossed plant of this pair so badly injured by slugs that pair thrown away

 

 

 

crossed first

 

 

 

Self first

 

 

 

Self first

 

 

 

Self flowered first

 

 

 

Self flowered first; the plant in this pot badly injured by slugs; so that I had to injure all equally.

 

 

1162 2/8

1199

 

(N.B The little plant measured to tips of leaves)

95B

666.75 [÷] 7 [=] 95.25 Average

557.25 [÷] 7 [=] 79.60 Average

495.5 [÷] 7 [=] 70.78 Average

641.75 [÷] 9 [=] 71.30 Average

1162.25 [÷] 14 [=]  General average 83  Average 

1199 [÷] 16 [=] 74.93  Average

(95C

Tobacco. Self plants in Pot B II. & in B III 5 (see p. 95 B) were self-fertilised & crossed by a dwarf Plants raised from seed from Cattell 4th Generation — see memorandum on opposite page of its nature,

In From Pot B 5, 5 crossed pods were obtained & 4 art self-fert pods obtained & placed in watch-glasses: the seed in the self clearly appeared the most abundant; so that when all the crossed & self- seed were placed in 2 glasses, that from the 4 c selfs exceeded that from the 5 crossed—

In From Pot B II. 2 crossed & 2 art self-pods were procured, & here the one finest pods was a self, but the 2 crossed exceeded the 2 selfs—

Manifestly no gain, apparently a loss of, fertility by the cross from Cattell's Plants

(April 20 1871. — But the seed from flowers crossed by Cattells plant which grew in Pots B2 & B5 germinated very decidedly quicker & in much greater number than in the 2 self- compartments on the sand — Many radicles with hairs whilst not one on the 2 self sides in this state.—

April 22d. Difference now more conspicuous many young plants on the 2 compartments crossed by Cattell showing much green, whilst hardly one on the 2 self- sides.)

(May 22 /71/ In the 2 crowded Pots of both parentage, the young plants from cross by Cattells plant, have much finer & broader leaves.)

(95D

Tobacco 1871 Two lots of plants raised from the self & crossed (by Cattell's pollen) 1871— summer & autumn, specified on p. 95 C. from two plants, as on (p. 95. B.)

Plants raised from Pot B II.

Pot

Crossed by Cattell

Self-fert

* means in this & next Page that whilst quite small, with leaves as large as Docks, the plants on opposite sides equal.— Red crosses means flowered first

 

 

 

—equal when about size of docks-leaves

 

 

 

to tips of leaves so small 2d. never have flowered

 

 

 

Plants broken by accident, & therefore measured to extreme tips of leaves, not being in flower.—

 

 

 

measured to tips of leaves at same time

 

 

 

long afterwards. This was great mistake

 

 

 

to tips of leaves, would not be far away

(Mr Norman do ink the figures in the columns in pencil)

(see over)

[95Dv]

I committed a mistake in leaving plant which were not in flower to flower, for they have grown unfairly in being left by themselves, the crossed having been cut down, But now Sept 22d- about 3 to 4 weeks after former measurements were made, I ha[text excised]

all to tips of leaves — (& there are [text excised] wh[text excised]

fair, as calyx of flower hardly does not ex[text excised]

straighten leaves. — (But [text excised]

may use flowers, stating [text excised]

been thus favoured. — No [text excised]

It will be seen that in all Pots [text excised]

the crossed by Cattells flowered fir[text excised]

cover the 2 Pots in which pla[text excised]

whilst young.

95D

902.625 [÷] 14 [=] 64.47 Average

B.2


648.375 [÷] 14 [=] 46.31 Average

In Pot VI. Self-fert: I have reckoned one plant at 92 2/8

B2

In Pot VI. Self fert. I have reckoned one plant at 92 2/8

[127]

Dec. 29 /70/ The tobacco which I have experimented on is N. tabacum. —

Cattells plant to be used now for crossing is certainly same sp. but leaves rather more pointed leaves & flowers a little pinker pinker, but identical in all other respect— except rather dwarfer plants, height being (almost in flower) only 41 4/8 inch to tip of highest leaf — whereas measurement to be made (& given on p. 95 B) will show height of stem very old plants — There is was nothing in in conditions which will account for this smaller size — over

[127v]

Self-plants will be again self-fert, & will be crossed with Cattell's plant.

(95E

Tobacco, 1871 cont. from last page.—

Plants raised from Pot. B5.

[Table partly excised, not transcribed]

Those which are marked on both sides in ink perhaps ought to when really measured to tips of leaves ought to have taken off the taller one, which alone flowered.

(N B. ends of sepals from 1 1/2 to 3 inches beyond tips of leaves— so subtract , if leaves used)

95E

Pot

Crossed by Cattell

Self-fert

 

 

 

—measured to tip of leaves. at same time

 

 

 

accidentally injured, by fall, not in flower, measured to tips of leaves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

measured to tip of uppermost leaf }
all these measurement made at same time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to tips of uppermost leaf, perhaps it will flower & then this measure erased

 

 

 

Those which are marked on both sides in ink perhaps ought when really measured to tips of leaves ought to have taken off the taller one, which alone flowered

 

 

 

No, as the self plant were measured subsequently & had grown. I think comparison as it stands fair.

(B5) greater difference

[130]

743.125 [÷] 12 [=] 61.92  Average

447.375 [÷] 12 [=] 37.28  Average

(B.5.) great difference

[130v]

[Draft fragment of Descent vol. 2, folio 57.]

(57

(Colour mammals)

has the face of a pale red face & a large surface of naked skin round the tail of a brilliant carmine red, which periodically becomes, as I was assured by the keepers in Zoological Gardens, even more vivid; In one on the other hand in a fully adult male which & in the in some young animals which I saw in the Gardens there neither neither the face nor nor the naked skin at the posterior end of the body showed a trace of the red colour. but From From some accounts, however, it appears that the male occasionally or at certain seasons does seasons does show more trac traces of the red, colour tints. In the Macacus cynomolgus, the female has a well-developed longitudinal crest of hair on her head which is quite absent in the adult male, although a rudiment of it may be observed in the young male in his second year, whilst young.*(51) This case latter circumstances is curiously parallel with the case of the male given in a former the chapter on birds, in which it was shown that the female that the males of in the Goosander (Merganser Castor) the adult female & young male have a longer which whilst young, has an elongated crest of feathers, like that on the head of the adult female; but that the crest, differently to the unlike what occurs in any other bird, this becomes shorter as the male grows older. Although the males

[The text of this draft corresponds in part in Descent 2: 189 & 319-20.]

[131]

[calculations not transcribed]

95F

Tobacco 1871 Same lots as plants on p. 95 D & or E.

Seeds more or less germinated some very crowded in 2 Pots

From Pot B. 2

 

 

From Pot B 5

Pot IX & X

Crossed by Cattells Plant

Self-fert

Crossed by Cattells

Self-fert

(2. Crowded Pots)

[excised]

 

 

 

Weights

oz.9. oz

oz.4 1/3 oz

oz12 1/4

oz3 1/2

95F

175.625 [÷] 6 [=] 29.27  Average

101.5 [÷] 6 [=] 16.91  Average

B 2

202.75 [÷] 6 [=] 33.79  Average

105.125 [÷] 6 [=] 17.52  Average

B 5 greatest difference

B2

B5 greater difference

(95G

Tobacco 1871. Summer wet & cold The seeds from which plants on 3 last pages were grown, were when more or less germinated sown planted or sown in open ground in 4 rows, moderately near & parallel; so case same as if seed had been sown in open ground, & as crossed by Cattells geminated soonest gave some advantage to this lot.

(July 15 1871 The seedlings now just above ground, quite minute, & in both sets crossed by Cattells plainly great advantage

From Pot B 2.

 

From Pot. B 5

Measured to tips of leaves

Crossed by Cattells

Self-fert

Crossd be Cattell

Self-fert.

[excised]

 

 

 

Weights

 

 

 

6lb. 9oz 1/2

2lb. 11.o

5lb. 10oz 1/4

5. 0 1/4

195.75

12

123.25

 

Red Cross means in flower or large exposed flower buds. Only 1 self in this state

It does not seem in comparison with 2 crowded Pots, that there is any rule of excess in Pots B 2 & B 5. — Add difference in constitution in the 2 lots — according as effects of crowding & exposure to unfavorable weather—.—

Measured November 11th 1871.

Leaves touched by frost

[95G]

Crowded

974.875 [÷] 20 [=] 48.743

704.125 [÷] 20 [=] 35.206

 

 

648 3/8 [-] 12 2/8 [=] 636 1/8

[135]

[Draft fragment of the discussion in Descent 1: 178ff]

[top of page excised]

barrier

selection can act only in a [illeg] manner; for with man & other animals individuals & whole races in both of man & of other animals, may have had acquired certain indisputable advantages, & yet may have failed to su not increase in number or have wholly perished from failing in from having been inferior in certain other respects; but in the long run those individuals & races which inherit the greatest number of most advantages, under whatever circumstances they may happen to be exposed, during a long course lapse of time have been placed will ultimately prevail & multiply.

[bottom of page excised]

95G

B 2.

 

478.75 [÷] 10 [=] 47.87  Average

286.875 [÷] 10 [=] 28.68  Average

greater difference

 

496.125 [÷] 10 [=] 49.61  Average

417.25 [÷] 10 [=] 41.72  Average

B5


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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 9 January, 2026