To Edward Frankland 12 July 1873
Summary
Seeks the assistance of a professional chemist in securing a qualitative analysis of the fluid secreted by the glands of Drosera which have the power of dissolving animal matter out of the bodies of insects. [See 8979.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 12 July 1873 |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8977A |
From Edward Frankland 15 July 1873
Summary
Sends sodium carbonate for Drosera experiments. Will try to determine what the solvent is.
| Author: | Edward Frankland |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 15 July 1873 |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 206 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8979 |
To Edward Frankland 16 July [1873]
Summary
Thanks EF for his offer of assistance. Could the viscid secretions [in glands of Drosera] contain pepsin? Will the sodium carbonate render the testing of organic matter difficult? [See 8979.] Will send the fluid in a fortnight.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 16 July [1873] |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8980A |
From Edward Frankland 17 July 1873
Summary
Is going to Switzerland, so analysis of Drosera washings will be delayed. Agrees with CD that solvent is probably pepsin.
| Author: | Edward Frankland |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 17 July 1873 |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 207 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8981 |
To Edward Frankland 18 July [1873]
Summary
Agrees to delay sending the fluid [from the glands of Drosera] until early October. Will try suggestion about pepsin. [See 8981.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 18 July [1873] |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-8982A |
To Edward Frankland 21 September [1873]
Summary
Although CD’s experiments with pepsin were unsuccessful, he observed that the glands [of Drosera] as far as acid is concerned act just as the stomach of a mammal. Further experiments detailed. The secretion must contain something analogous to pepsin. [See 9062.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 21 Sept [1873] |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9061A |
From Edward Frankland 22 September 1873
Summary
CD’s discovery of acidity of Drosera secretion is interesting. EF explains how hydrochloric acid can be detected and identified. [See Insectivorous plants, p. 88.]
| Author: | Edward Frankland |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 22 Sept 1873 |
| Classmark: | DAR 58.1: 38–9 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9062 |
To Edward Frankland 23 September 1873
Summary
Will follow EF’s suggestions as to securing purity of fibrin.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 23 Sept 1873 |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9064A |
From Edward Frankland 27 September 1873
Summary
Has sent CD some pure distilled water for his Drosera experiments.
| Author: | Edward Frankland |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 27 Sept 1873 |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 208 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9076 |
To Edward Frankland 29 September 1873
Summary
Is sending washings of 445 leaves in EF’s distilled water with 20 grains of carbonate of soda. Details of the difficulties and complications involved.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 29 Sept 1873 |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9077A |
To Edward Frankland 7 October [1873]
Summary
Requests a piece of the most sensitive litmus paper in order to test the secretions of minute hairs of plants which catch minute flies. [See 9098.]
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 7 Oct [1873] |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9090A |
From Edward Frankland 10 October 1873
Summary
The results of EF’s tests for acids in the secretion of Drosera are largely negative [see Insectivorous plants, p. 88].
| Author: | Edward Frankland |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 10 Oct 1873 |
| Classmark: | DAR 58.1: 44–6 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9094 |
To Edward Frankland 13 October 1873
Summary
Finds the negative information sent by EF of great interest [see 9094].
More on his own experiments and the perplexing results when using the sensitive litmus paper.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 13 Oct 1873 |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9096A |
From Edward Frankland 16 October 1873
Summary
Sends some litmus paper for CD.
| Author: | Edward Frankland |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 16 Oct 1873 |
| Classmark: | DAR 164: 209 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9098 |
To Edward Frankland 18 October [1873]
Summary
Apologises for his ignorance in interpreting the results secured in his testing with blue litmus paper.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | 18 Oct [1873] |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9100A |
To Edward Frankland [10 November 1873]
Summary
Requests permission to call upon EF either Friday or Saturday morning [14 or 15 November].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Edward Frankland |
| Date: | [10 Nov 1873] |
| Classmark: | The John Rylands Library, The University of Manchester |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-9137A |
| Darwin, C. R. | (10) |
| Frankland, Edward | (6) |
| Frankland, Edward | (10) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (6) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (16) |
| Frankland, Edward |
