Summary

Thanks for Thomas Belt’s Naturalist in Nicaragua [1874], which confirms some of his observations,

and for Insectivorous plants, which he praises.

Suggests that a book integrating knowledge of plant–animal interactions be written by a Darwinist.

Defines biology as the science of external interactions.

German reception is far more positive than Italian.

Summary

Thanks RC for his kind note. It was only Climbing plants for which he wanted the proofs to have wide margins. Wishes he understood more about printing. It would be a great convenience to authors if exterior margins of proofs were broad.

Summary

Doubts that glands of calyx of cleistogamic Malpighiaceae serve as protection.

Some species of Solanum bear long- and short-styled flowers on same plant.

Changing colours of some flowers may show insects the proper moment for fertilisation.

Doubts that the style of Pontederia cordata changes length.

Sexual difference in wings of some butterflies due to development in male of scales that emit odours to excite female.

Summary

Asks whether, in Italy, varieties of Lathyrus odoratus, Pisum sativum, and Phaseolus multiflorus must be grown separately to come true.

Summary

Thanks for CD’s praise of his book [see 8901].

Summary

Mechanism of flowers of Maranta has already been described by F. H. G. Hildebrand and Federico Delpino.

Summary

Declares himself CD’s defender; but he is a "teleologist".

Sends CD three more papers.

His research confirms his faith and belief in variability of species.

Summary

Looking forward to publication of Insectivorous plants, which he will review.

Paul Mantegazza has criticised FD on insectivorous plants

and CD on sexual selection; FD maintains dichogamy in plants supports sexual selection.

Summary

Discusses role of insects in crossing varieties of Lathyrus odoratus and other species.

Comments on Hermann Müller [Die Befruchtung der Blumen (1873)],

and Anton Kerner ["Die Schutzmittel des Pollens", Ber. Naturwiss. Med. Ver. Innsbruck, 3 (1873): 100–68].

Admires FD’s work on anemophilous plants.

Summary

Sends his new work, Ulteriori osservazioni sulla dicogomia pt 2, fasc. 1.

Has found no nectar in Orchis morio or O. maculata in Italy and has seen no insects visiting the plants.

Gives his observations on cross- and self-fertilisation in cereals.

Summary

Federico Delpino’s book has very nearly all that THF has found and a great deal more.

Summary

Discusses sleep movements of Porlieria.

Has read an abstract of Julius Wiesner on heliotropism and geotropism ["Die heliotropischen Erscheinungen im Pflanzenreiche", Anz. Kais. Akad. Wiss. Wien 15 (1878): 137–40] which seems important but is puzzling.

Gives details of his observations on climbing plants with reference to comments by Julius Sachs.

Summary

Describes experiments to test the fertility of Abutilon, which appears self-sterile,

and briefly mentions dichogamy in Eschscholzia.

Summary

Responds to CD’s request for Canna seeds.

Studying dichogamy in Lotus. Describes mechanism that pumps pollen on to a visiting bee. Corrects Axell on Lotus.

Summary

Sends specimens.

Sensitive plants.

Summary

Sends seeds of Lathyrus and suggests an advantage of climbing plants is to shed their seeds in places secure from animals.

Contrary to F. Delpino, in JTM’s experience Ophrys aranifera is not sterile. However, seed germination is poor.

In a densely overgrown plot Convolvulus sabatius, not normally a twiner, becomes one.

Continues his extensive study on variability in Arbutus, and speculates on selection in fruit shape.

Summary

Such honours as proposal for election to Institut affect CD very little.

GdeS’s idea that dicotyledonous plants were not developed until sucking insects evolved is a splendid one. The suggestion that fertilisation of the surviving members of the most ancient dicotyledons should be studied is a good one. CD hopes GdeS will keep it in mind.

Summary

Sends last part of his book [Ulteriori observazioni sulla dicogamia (1868–74)] [osservazioni!?] and describes contents.

Summary

CD and others now think it advisable to go further than a petition on vivisection, and a bill has been drafted.

F. Delpino’s pamphlet on pitchers ["Sulle pianti a bicchieri", Nuovo G. Bot. Ital. 3 (1871): 174–6].