The Power of Movement in PlantsWritten in collaboration with his son Francis, a notable botanist, this 1880 book builds on Darwin's earlier investigations into climbing plants, orchids, insectivorous plants, flower variety, and the processes of fertilisation. This detailed study of many species from seed to mature plant further develops Darwin's work on adaptation and evolution, with the aim of collating the results of individual studies into common factors applicable to plants in general. Particular emphasis is given to analysis and investigation of the process here termed circumnutation, the movement of the stem of the plant in order to direct the head in certain directions. This is seen as of paramount importance, with the conclusion that it is modification of this feature that has enabled plants to adapt and evolve so diversely. The authors also note similarities between plants and animals, such as sensitivity to touch and habit of action at certain times. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION Page | 1 |
CHAPTER II | 67 |
CHAPTER III | 129 |
CHAPTER IV | 201 |
CHAPTER VI | 280 |
CHAPTER VII | 317 |
CHAPTER VIII | 418 |
CHAPTER IX | 449 |
CHAPTER X | 493 |
CHAPTER XI | 523 |
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Common terms and phrases
apex apheliotropic apogeotropism arched basal bean became bend beneath the horizon blade bowed Brassica oleracea cause caustic cauterised circum circumnutating movement close coty cotyl course curvature curved damp darkness deflected described dicotyledonous direction diurnal position ellipses epicotyl exposed figure following morning geotropism glass filament ground growing growth heliotropic horizontal glass hypocotyl hypogean illuminated inch in height inch in length inclined lateral light leaf leaves ledons Leguminosa magnified manner ment Mimosa pudica modified circumnutation move nearly nocturnal nutation nyctitropic movements observed original scale Oxalis peduncle perpendicular petiole Phalaris plumule position pulvinus radicles right angles rise rose Sachs seed seed-coats seedlings sensitive shellac shoot shown side sink sleep slightly species squares of card stem stolon stood straight summit temperature terminal leaflet tips traced Trifolium tropism upper surfaces upright upwards vertical glass Vicia faba whilst Würzburg young leaf young plant zigzag zigzag line