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629 DARWIN (CHARLES)

Interesting L.s., 3 pp., 8vo., Glenridding House Patter dale, Penrith, 22 June, 1881, about experiments he would like to see tried and suggesting a modification in his correspondent's trials on the formation of diamonds.

... I have much wished that some one wd. observe what chemical products (if any) wd. result from the slow cooling of all the various elements which are present in every living organism, after they had been subjected to intense heat and pressure. I have imagined that possibly something of the nature of a protein compound might be generated, as all the necessary elements, phosphorous, sulphur, potash &c. &c. wd. be present. In my own experiments on living plants, I am very fond of trying what I call "a fool's experiment…"