Darwin, C. R. to Henslow, J. S.
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Sends further details on the movement of the red fluid substance in Drosera. Will write a paper on it.
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"Dr [C. R.] Bree ""pitches"" into me handsomely."
Summary Add
Transcription
15 Marine Parade | Eastbourne
Oct 11.
My dear Henslow
Very many thanks for your pleasant letter just received from Down, with many things which interested me. I am particularly obliged for answer about contracting & expanding red thick fluid substance. I have been observing it with great care. & it really is a most curious phenomenon.— It all takes place within the same cell. & is, I now find certainly not from endosmose or exosmose from any external fluid; for a hair cut off & put dry between two slips of glass, shows the phenomenon splendidly. I have outline of a whole series of changes; which are infinitely varied & never cease. The movement can never be seen until after the hairs have contracted over a Fly or other substance. But I shall write a paper on the subject: so will not trouble you any more.—
You have told me what I wanted to know, whether it was some well phenomenon.—
Yours affect | C. Darwin
D
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- f1 2945.f1
Henslow's letter has not been found. It was evidently a reply to the letter to J. S. Henslow, 28 [September 1860]. - +
- f2 2945.f2
CD discussed the phenomenon of `aggregation' in Insectivorous plants, chapter 3. He stated that at first he believed the `movements of the masses might be due to the absorption of water' (ibid., p. 41). - +
- f3 2945.f3
CD later found that the process of aggregation was independent of the inflexion of the hairs (ibid., pp. 43, 54--5). - +
- f4 2945.f4
Henslow interlined `known' after `well'. - +
- f5 2945.f5
Charles Robert Bree. See previous letter.