To Asa Gray 11 May [1863]
Summary
CD despairs when men like AG and Lyell consider themselves incapable of judging on change of species by descent.
Is confused over phyllotaxy.
Has been looking at Plantago lanceolata.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Asa Gray |
| Date: | 11 May [1863] |
| Classmark: | Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (59) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4153 |
From Asa Gray 26 May 1863
Summary
Discusses recent correspondence in the Athenæum: the disagreement between Lyell and Hugh Falconer and Owen’s remarks on heterogeny [see 4110].
Briefly discusses orchids and some problems in phyllotaxy.
Mentions the political situation and the quarrelsome behaviour of the English.
| Author: | Asa Gray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 26 May 1863 |
| Classmark: | DAR 165: 135 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4186 |
To Asa Gray 31 May [1863]
Summary
AG’s review of Alphonse de Candolle’s paper [Am. J. Sci. 2d ser. 35 (1863): 430–44] is excellent.
Does not AG consider that orchids oppose Oswald Heer’s view that species arise suddenly by monstrosities?
Infers that AG cannot explain the angles of phyllotaxy; has been looking at Carl Nägeli on the subject.
Reports Gaston de Saporta’s belief that natural selection will ultimately triumph in France.
Is working slowly at Variation.
Reports his observations on the imperfect flowers of Viola and Oxalis.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Asa Gray |
| Date: | 31 May [1863] |
| Classmark: | Gray Herbarium of Harvard University (84) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4196 |
| letter | (3) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (2) |
| Gray, Asa | (1) |
| Gray, Asa | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (3) |
| Gray, Asa | (3) |
