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.

Summary

Agrees to delay sending the fluid [from the glands of Drosera] until early October. Will try suggestion about pepsin. [See 8981.]

Summary

Apologises for his ignorance in interpreting the results secured in his testing with blue litmus paper.

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.

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.]

Summary

Will follow EF’s suggestions as to securing purity of fibrin.

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.

Summary

Requests permission to call upon EF either Friday or Saturday morning [14 or 15 November].

Summary

Sends some litmus paper for CD.

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.]

Summary

Sends sodium carbonate for Drosera experiments. Will try to determine what the solvent is.

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.]

Summary

The results of EF’s tests for acids in the secretion of Drosera are largely negative [see Insectivorous plants, p. 88].

Summary

Requests litmus paper and gum.

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.]

Summary

Has sent CD some pure distilled water for his Drosera experiments.

Summary

Is going to Switzerland, so analysis of Drosera washings will be delayed. Agrees with CD that solvent is probably pepsin.

Summary

Describes his recent work on Drosera digestion of organic materials, e.g., albumen and gelatin. Edward Frankland has given CD a rough test for pepsin. Some plant extracts cause as much inflection as meat. Has found some reversible inflection with heat and perhaps some heat rigor. Has measured the extreme sensitivity of Drosera with very dilute solution of ammonium phosphate.

Summary

Hearty thanks for the two bottles of pure water.

Summary

Reports that S. W. Moore may be able to provide various substances for CD’s research on the digestive power of Drosera (sundew).