To Philip Henry Gosse 22 September [1856]
Summary
CD is working hard on variations.
Asks if PHG’s bald-pate pigeon [described in A naturalist’s sojourn in Jamaica (1851)] is a true rock-pigeon.
Can he obtain a specimen of the rabbits that have run wild, and a wild canary, and the body of any domestic or fancy pigeon which has been in the West Indies for some generations?
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Date: | 22 Sept [1856] |
| Classmark: | Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1958 |
To P. H. Gosse 28 September [1856]
Summary
Thanks PHG for information about the bald-pate pigeon.
Will write to Richard Hill.
Can PHG remember any facts relevant to transport of animals and plants to distant islands?
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Date: | 28 Sept 1856 |
| Classmark: | The British Library (Charnwood Autographs Vol. IV Add MS 70951: 316) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1962 |
To P. H. Gosse 27 April [1857]
Summary
Asks PHG to conduct an experiment to see if young littoral molluscs will cling to a duck’s foot – CD seeks to explain distribution of molluscs without adopting E. Forbes’s [continental extension] theory.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Date: | 27 Apr [1857] |
| Classmark: | Leeds University Library Special Collections (Brotherton Collection: Gosse Correspondence) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2082 |
To P. H. Gosse 2 June [1863]
Summary
Can only conjecture that the problem occurs because the plant is not living in its natural conditions. Refers to what he said on Acropera [in Orchids]. Many plants under culture have sexual functions altered.
Asks PHG to look at bee Ophrys at Torquay to see if pollinia are ever removed. "It is my greatest puzzle."
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Date: | 2 June [1863] |
| Classmark: | Leeds University Library Special Collections (Brotherton Collection: Gosse Correspondence) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4200 |
To P. H. Gosse 5 June [1863]
Summary
PHG’s hypothesis [regarding the self-fertilising mechanism of Stanhopea] may prove quite true, but CD suggests that PHG should observe another spike to make sure. CD will observe his Stanhopea if it flowers.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Date: | 5 June [1863] |
| Classmark: | Lieutenant-Colonel James Innes (private collection); sold at Christie‘s New York (dealers), 15 November 2011, lot 55 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4205 |
To P. H. Gosse 7 April [1864]
Summary
Discusses microscopic observation of pollen tubes.
Unable to exchange orchids because of his illness.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Date: | 7 Apr [1864] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.298) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4454 |
From Philip Henry Gosse 30 May 1863
Summary
Asks CD’s help with problem that arose when he tried to impregnate an orchid following CD’s text in Orchids.
| Author: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 30 May 1863 |
| Classmark: | DAR 165: 76 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4194 |
From P. H. Gosse 4 June 1863
Summary
Thanks CD for his full reply. Sends additional facts derived from further observation, and a possible solution.
| Author: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 4 June 1863 |
| Classmark: | DAR 165: 77 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4203 |
From P. H. Gosse 13 July 1863
Summary
On CD’s request to observe bee Ophrys: PHG’s son collected 16 plants – of the 32 flowers, two had lost both pollinia, two had lost one each. He himself found two plants with pollinia adhering to the stigma.
| Author: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 13 July 1863 |
| Classmark: | DAR 165: 78 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4240 |
From Philip Henry Gosse 5 April 1864
Summary
Asks how he can identify pollen-tubes.
Has succeeded in impregnating orchids of widely different genera with each other’s pollinia. "Is not this something new?"
Offers to exchange Catasetum for other varieties.
| Author: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 5 Apr 1864 |
| Classmark: | DAR 165: 79 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-4451 |
| Darwin, C. R. | (6) |
| Gosse, P. H. | (4) |
| Gosse, P. H. | (6) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (4) |
