Di*mor"phism (?), n.
[Cf. F. dimorphisme.] 1.
(Biol.) Difference of form between members of the same species, as when a plant
has two kinds of flowers, both hermaphrodite (as in the partridge berry), or when there
are two forms of one or both sexes of the same species of butterfly. Dimorphism is the condition of the appearance of the same species under two dissimilar
forms. Darwin. 2.
(Crystallog.) Crystallization
in two independent forms of the same chemical compound, as of calcium
carbonate as calcite and aragonite.
Quotes From Classical Literature on 'dimorphism'You can hear pronunciation of the quotes if you click on  . The sound files tend to be pretty big.
 could get the parent of the carnation (150/6. Dianthus caryophyllus,
garden variety.), it would be very good for this end. Any member of the
Lythraceae raised from seed ought to be well looked after for dimorphism .
I have wonderful facts, the result of experiment, on Lythrum salicaria.
LETTER 151. TO JOHN SCOTT.
Down, December 11th [1862].
do not think anything in my scientific life has given me so much
satisfaction as making out the meaning of the structure of these plants. I
had noticed in 1838 or 1839 the dimorphism of Linum flavum, and had at
first thought that it was merely a case of unmeaning variability. But on
examining the common species of Primula I found that the two forms were
much too regular and constant to be thus viewed. I therefore became almost
convinced that the common cowslip and primrose were on the high road to
become dioecious;-- that the short pistil in the one form, and the short
These characters are absent in the lowest classes-- Brilliant colours--
Mollusca--Annelids-- Crustacea, secondary sexual characters strongly
developed; dimorphism ; colour; characters not acquired before maturity--
Spiders, sexual colours of; stridulation by the males-- Myriapoda.
CHAPTER X.
respect to Termites. The case of Anergates is most perplexing in many
ways, but I have such faith in the law of occasional crossing that I
believe an explanation will hereafter be found, such as the dimorphism of
either sex and the occasional production of winged males. I see that you
are puzzled how ants of the same community recognize each other; I once
placed two ( F. rufa) in a pill- box smelling strongly of asafoetida and
after a day returned them to their homes; they were threatened, but at last
recognized. I made the trial thinking that they might know each other by
mere rarity of variability in such a point was not sufficient, and I think
I concur with them. The fact of both the forms presenting the same case of
dimorphism is very curious. I have long wished that some one would dissect
the forms of the male stag- beetle with smaller mandibles, and see if they
were well developed, i. e., whether there was an abundance of spermatozoa;
and the same observations ought, I think, to be made on the rarer form of
your Cicada. Could you not get some observer, such as Dr. Hartman (453/2.
Mr. Walsh sent Mr. Darwin an extract from Dr. Hartman' s " Journal of the
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