To G. J. Romanes 14 September [1878]1
Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.
Sep 14th
My dear Romanes
Thanks for note just received.2 I have dreadful news about the onions. I am nearly sure there is not a single union! Most have died: Many consist of two quite distinct perfect bulbs, in close contact, but each with its proper character.—3 Many have formed only a single bulb, & this seems to be all red or all white. They are not yet ready to be dug up, but I base hardly a ghost of a hope.— The two kinds look so different that I cannot avoid suspecting that they are distinct species; & this wd explain failure. If you are not wholly sick of whole job; I shd. think that white, red & black Radishes wd be good to try— or white & red carrots or beet.— I believe these kinds come true by seed.—
I am heartily sorry at the loss of so much of your valuable time.— Do not answer, this, unless you have something special to say.—
Yours sincerely, | Ch. Darwin
Footnotes
Bibliography
Variation 2d ed.: The variation of animals and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2d edition. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1875.
Summary
Thinks most of the experimental onions have died. Suspects the red and white were distinct species. If GJR is not "sick of the whole job" he might try with radishes or carrots.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-11491
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- George John Romanes
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- University of Exeter Library Special Collections (EUL MS 31a/404)
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 11491,” accessed on 19 October 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-11491.xml