To John Denny 9 July 1872
Summary
Has read JD’s articles in the Gardeners’ Chronicle [(1872): 872, 904–5].
Questions him on the fertility of certain varieties of Pelargonium which are fertile with some varieties but infertile with others.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Denny |
| Date: | 9 July 1872 |
| Classmark: | University of Otago Library, Special Collections (DeB MS 55) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8403 |
To John Denny 14 July [1872]
Summary
Discusses JD’s crossing experiments with Pelargonium; notes that his conclusions on male prepotence oppose those of Gärtner. Suggests that his observations on differences in fertility of certain varieties of Pelargonium crossed with certain other varieties be communicated to the Linnean Society.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Denny |
| Date: | 14 July [1872] |
| Classmark: | DAR 96: 114–15 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8410 |
To John Denny 22 July 1872
Summary
Discusses the mutual sterility of some varieties of Pelargonium.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Denny |
| Date: | 22 July 1872 |
| Classmark: | University of Otago Library, Special Collections (DeB MS 55) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8423 |
From John Denny 16 August 1879
Summary
JD communicates, after seven years, news of a new "sport" of Pelargonium, sterile both with other varieties and with the mother plant, thus indicating that it is possibly a new species.
| Author: | John Denny |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 16 Aug 1879 |
| Classmark: | DAR 162: 161 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-12195 |
From John Denny 12 July 1872
Summary
Replies to CD’s queries. Duke of Cornwall Pelargonium is fertile with its own pollen. Has failed to produce hybrids from other varieties besides P. peltatum and P. elegans. Sends numbers of the Florist which contain an account of his mode of procedure ["On cross-breeding pelargoniums" Florist & Pomologist (1872): 10, 34, 50].
Reports a confirmation of his theory of the prepotence of the male parent.
| Author: | John Denny |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 12 July 1872 |
| Classmark: | DAR 162: 159 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8407 |
From John Denny 20 July 1872
Summary
Thanks CD for his offer to communicate the results of his experiments with Pelargonium to the Linnean Society. Prefers to continue experimenting for at least another season before doing so.
| Author: | John Denny |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 20 July 1872 |
| Classmark: | DAR 162: 160 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8421 |
| letter | (6) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (3) |
| Denny, John | (3) |
