To J. D. Hooker 1 November [1861]
Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.
Nov 1st
My dear Hooker
One line to beg you to look at Dendrobium macrophyllum(?) (this was sent me as D. chrysanthum) & tell me whether the Labellum is at all on upper or lower side of column with respect to the ground.—1 Labellum embraces column, of course I mean place of attachment.2 This point is of highest importance with respect to mechanism of flower.— I have been writing to Lindley on subject;3 if you can do pray observe this—
If Bolbophyllum in fine weather has Labellum a little apart from column & when touched closes up against Column, I can well understand use of movement; could you ascertain this.—4
It is no use attempting to thank you for all your extraordinary kindness.
Post going | C. D.
I have looked at the Dendrobium & the contrivance is most remarkable & well deserves proving.—
I have no Cypripedium in spirits for Ducts & it would be I fear very difficult.—
Footnotes
Bibliography
Orchids: On the various contrivances by which British and foreign orchids are fertilised by insects, and on the good effects of intercrossing. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1862.
Summary
Orchid anatomy.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-3304
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- Joseph Dalton Hooker
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 115: 123
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 3304,” accessed on 29 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-3304.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 9