The Life and Letters-2 [216]
result occurred in the case of a similar experiment on inheritance in Carnations, that his attention was "thoroughly aroused" and that he determined to make a series of experiments specially directed to the question. The following letters give some account of the work in question.]
CHARLES DARWIN TO ASA GRAY. September 10, [1866?].
...I have just begun a large course of experiments on the germination of the seed, and on the growth of the young plants when raised from a pistil fertilised by pollen from the same flower, and from pollen from a distinct plant of the same, or of some other variety. I have not made sufficient experiments to judge certainly, but in some cases the difference in the growth of the young plants is highly remarkable. I have taken every kind of precaution in getting seed from the same plant, in germinating the seed on my own chimney-piece, in planting the seedlings in the same flower-pot, and under this similar treatment I have seen the young seedlings from the crossed seed exactly twice as tall as the seedlings from the self- fertilised seed; both seeds having germinated on the same day. If I can establish this fact (but perhaps it will all go to the dogs), in some fifty cases, with plants of different orders, I think it will be very important, for then we shall positively know why the structure of every flower permits, or favours, or necessitates an occasional cross with a distinct individual. But all this is rather cooking my hare before I have caught it. But somehow it is a great pleasure to me to tell you what I am about. Believe me, my dear Gray,
Ever yours most truly, and with cordial thanks, CH. DARWIN.
CHARLES DARWIN TO G. BENTHAM. April 22, 1868.
...I am experimenting on a very large scale on the difference in power of growth between plants raised from self-fertilised and crossed seeds; and it is no exaggeration to say that the difference in growth and vigour is sometimes truly wonderful. Lyell, Huxley and Hooker have seen some of my plants, and been astonished; and I should much like to show them to you. I always supposed until lately that no evil effects would be visible until after several generations of self-fertilisation; but now I see that one generation sometimes suffices; and the existence of dimorphic plants and all the wonderful contrivances of orchids are quite intelligible to me.
With cordial thanks for your letter, which has pleased me greatly,
Yours very sincerely, CHARLES DARWIN.
[An extract from a letter to Dr. Gray (March 11, 1873) mentions the progress of the work:--
"I worked last summer hard at Drosera, but could not finish till I got fresh plants, and consequently took up the effects of crossing and self- fertilising plants, and am got so interested that Drosera must go to the dogs till I finish with this, and get it published; but then I will resume my beloved Drosera, and I heartily apologise for having sent the precious little things even for a moment to the dogs."
The following letters give the author's impression of his own book.]
CHARLES DARWIN TO J. MURRAY. Down, September 16, 1876.
My dear Sir,
I have just received proofs in sheet of five sheets, so you will have to decide soon how many copies will have to be struck off. I do not know what to advise. The greater part of the book is extremely dry, and the whole on a special subject. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the book is of value, and I am convinced that for MANY years copies will be occasionally sold. Judging from the sale of my former books, and from supposing that some persons will purchase it to complete the set of my works, I would suggest 1500. But you must be guided by your larger experience. I will only repeat that I am convinced the book is of some permanent value...
CHARLES DARWIN TO VICTOR CARUS. Down, September 27, 1876.
My dear Sir,
I sent by this morning's post the four first perfect sheets of my new book, the title of which you will see on the first page, and which will be published early in November.
I am sorry to say
CHARLES DARWIN TO ASA GRAY. September 10, [1866?].
...I have just begun a large course of experiments on the germination of the seed, and on the growth of the young plants when raised from a pistil fertilised by pollen from the same flower, and from pollen from a distinct plant of the same, or of some other variety. I have not made sufficient experiments to judge certainly, but in some cases the difference in the growth of the young plants is highly remarkable. I have taken every kind of precaution in getting seed from the same plant, in germinating the seed on my own chimney-piece, in planting the seedlings in the same flower-pot, and under this similar treatment I have seen the young seedlings from the crossed seed exactly twice as tall as the seedlings from the self- fertilised seed; both seeds having germinated on the same day. If I can establish this fact (but perhaps it will all go to the dogs), in some fifty cases, with plants of different orders, I think it will be very important, for then we shall positively know why the structure of every flower permits, or favours, or necessitates an occasional cross with a distinct individual. But all this is rather cooking my hare before I have caught it. But somehow it is a great pleasure to me to tell you what I am about. Believe me, my dear Gray,
Ever yours most truly, and with cordial thanks, CH. DARWIN.
CHARLES DARWIN TO G. BENTHAM. April 22, 1868.
...I am experimenting on a very large scale on the difference in power of growth between plants raised from self-fertilised and crossed seeds; and it is no exaggeration to say that the difference in growth and vigour is sometimes truly wonderful. Lyell, Huxley and Hooker have seen some of my plants, and been astonished; and I should much like to show them to you. I always supposed until lately that no evil effects would be visible until after several generations of self-fertilisation; but now I see that one generation sometimes suffices; and the existence of dimorphic plants and all the wonderful contrivances of orchids are quite intelligible to me.
With cordial thanks for your letter, which has pleased me greatly,
Yours very sincerely, CHARLES DARWIN.
[An extract from a letter to Dr. Gray (March 11, 1873) mentions the progress of the work:--
"I worked last summer hard at Drosera, but could not finish till I got fresh plants, and consequently took up the effects of crossing and self- fertilising plants, and am got so interested that Drosera must go to the dogs till I finish with this, and get it published; but then I will resume my beloved Drosera, and I heartily apologise for having sent the precious little things even for a moment to the dogs."
The following letters give the author's impression of his own book.]
CHARLES DARWIN TO J. MURRAY. Down, September 16, 1876.
My dear Sir,
I have just received proofs in sheet of five sheets, so you will have to decide soon how many copies will have to be struck off. I do not know what to advise. The greater part of the book is extremely dry, and the whole on a special subject. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the book is of value, and I am convinced that for MANY years copies will be occasionally sold. Judging from the sale of my former books, and from supposing that some persons will purchase it to complete the set of my works, I would suggest 1500. But you must be guided by your larger experience. I will only repeat that I am convinced the book is of some permanent value...
CHARLES DARWIN TO VICTOR CARUS. Down, September 27, 1876.
My dear Sir,
I sent by this morning's post the four first perfect sheets of my new book, the title of which you will see on the first page, and which will be published early in November.
I am sorry to say