From Asa Gray 16 February 1857
Summary
Discusses the ranges of alpine species in U. S. and considers the possible migration routes of such species from Europe.
Lists those U. S. genera which he considers protean and describes the U. S. character of some genera which are protean in Europe.
Describes how he distinguishes introduced and aboriginal stocks of the same species.
Author: | Asa Gray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 16 Feb 1857 |
Classmark: | DAR 165: 96 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2053 |
From Asa Gray 1 June 1857
Summary
Comments on species with disjoined ranges; does not feel, despite CD’s expectations, that they tend to belong to small families.
Gives the proportion of U. S. trees in which the sexes are separate [see Natural selection, p. 62].
Author: | Asa Gray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 1 June 1857 |
Classmark: | DAR 8: 47bA |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2098 |
From Asa Gray [c. 24 May 1857]
Summary
Discusses difficulties involved in deciding which genera are protean in the light of some comments by H. C. Watson.
Author: | Asa Gray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [c. 24 May 1857] |
Classmark: | DAR 165: 97 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2104 |
From Asa Gray 7 July 1857
Summary
Believes, with CD, that extinction may be an important factor in explaining plant distributions, but sees no reason why the several species of a genus must ever have had a common or continuous area. "Convince me of that, or show me any good grounds for it … and I think you would carry me a good way with you". It is just such people as AG that CD has to satisfy and convince.
Feels that the crossing of individuals is important in repressing variation and perhaps in perpetuating the species, but instances some plants in which it cannot, apparently, take place.
Author: | Asa Gray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | 7 July 1857 |
Classmark: | DAR 205.9: 381; DAR 165: 98 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2120 |
From Asa Gray [August 1857]
Summary
States he has "misgivings about the definiteness of species". Believes there is some inherent tendency for plants to originate varieties. Cross-fertilisation is likely in most cases but sees difficulties with plants like Adlumia.
Author: | Asa Gray |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [Aug 1857] |
Classmark: | DAR 165: 100, 101 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2129 |