Letter
to
Summary
Ovules of males of two forms [of Rhamnus catharticus?] are abortive and both females have incomplete stamens.
Transcription
Southampton
Saturday
My dear Father,
I will go over to Isle of W on Tuesday & mark the females. I suppose it would not do to cut slips at present.f2
Both the males have entirely abortive ovules, and both the females incomplete stamens:f3
Do you want a slip of all 4 kinds? I cannot understand how they got called polygamous.f4
I am sorry to hear Mama is laid upf5
Your affect son | W. E. Darwin
Footnotes
- f1
- The date is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter to W. E. Darwin, 22 June [1866], and by the reference to Emma Darwin’s poor health (see n. 5, below). In 1866, 23 June was a Saturday.
- f2
- In his letter of 22 June [1866], CD had indicated that William should mark the four flower forms of Rhamnus cathartica on the Isle of Wight, in order to take cuttings in autumn.
- f3
- See letter to W. E. Darwin, 22 June [1866] and n. 9.
- f4
- See letter from W. E. Darwin, 21 June [1866] and n. 4.
- f5
- Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242) records a `feverish attack’ on 21 June 1866.