ENGLISH

The Power of Movement in Plants

By Charles Darwin

Book information

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
2009
ISBN
9780511693670, 9781108003605
DOI
10.1017/CBO9780511693670
Google Books ID
OO0tfgqUW4YC
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
10 MB (10366267 bytes)
Series
Cambridge Library Collection - Life Sciences
Edition
Reprint
Pages
607\607
Orientation
yes
Scanned
yes
Time added
2012-03-17 06:00:00

Description

Written 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.

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