Dear Sir

I am unwell & must write briefly.—

I am very much obliged for the Courant.—² The facts will be of highest use to me: I feel convinced that your paper will have permanent value.—³ Your case seems excellently & carefully worked out.— I agree that alteration of Title was unfortunate; but after all title does not signify very much.—⁴ So few have attended to such points, that I do not expect any criticisms: but if so, I sh^d. think you had much better reply; but I would if you wished it much.— I quite understand about the cases being individual sterility; so Gärtner states it was with him.—⁵

Would it be worth while to send a corrected copy of Courant to Gard. Chron.?⁶ I did not know that you had tried Lobelia fulgens: can you give me any particulars, on number of plants & kinds used &c that I may quote, as in few days I shall be writing on this whole subject.—⁷ No one will ever convince me that it is not a very important subject to Philosophical naturalists. The Hibiscus seems very curious case & I agree with your remarks.—⁸

You say you are glad of criticisms⁹ (by the way avoid “former & latter,” the reader is always forced to go back to look): I think you would have made case more striking if you had first showed that pollen of O. sphacelatum was good; secondly that ovules were capable of fertilisation, & lastly shown that the plant was impotent with own pollen.— “impotence of organs capable of elimination”—capable here strictly refers to organs, you mean to impotence— To eliminate impotence is a curious expression. it is removing a non-existence quality.— But style is a trifle compared with facts, & you are capable of writing well. I find it a good rule to imagine that I want to explain the case in as few & simple words as possible to one who knows nothing of subject.— I am tired— In my opinion you are an excellent observer.—

Yours very faithfully | C. Darwin