My dear Hooker

I am going to bother you on 4 points, none of which I hope will cause much trouble.

(1) Name of enclosed Abutilon sent by Fritz Müller from S. Brazil, whether a garden or endemic plant, I know not.—² It is absolutely sterile with own pollen, but every individual plant fertile with pollen from any other individual. So name ought to be recorded. The bush grows upright, & with large handsome leaves, loaded with flowers is very ornamental. Have you it? I can hereafter send seed or plant.— I enclose a half-grown pod.—

(2) My wife wants (I tell her she has no conscience) name, if you recognize plant without any search, of enclosed Rhododendron-like little bush, forming a beautiful sheet of flowers in the Lubbock’s hall.—³ She wants to order it.—

(3) can you raise for me 1 or 2 plants of Drosophyllum. I want a quite young, about $\frac{1}{2}$ to 1 inch. high, for experiment to see if at this early age it acts like Drosera, though the old plants are such beasts that they will do nothing.—⁴

(4) Scott speaks of Sirdar & Dhangar coolies; the latter you explained to me— what is meant by “Sirdars”?⁵

I fear that you are worked half to death, & I daresay this note will make you savage. I am at work on expression, & I care for nothing in the world except. laughing. crying grinning pouting &c. &c.—⁶

My book on Descent of Man has been wonderfully successful, judged by the lowest standard of sale. The Edit. consisted of 4500 copies. I sh^d. fear to tell you what a heap of money I have realised by it.⁷ Do you remember when I told you what I made by the Origin, you cried out, “what an infamous shame”?— I know you have had no time to read this book, & I sh^d think you never would—

Farewell my dear old Friend | C. Darwin

The liberality of public has astonished me; I have not yet been at all abused.

P.S. Since the above was written, I have been delighted to get your note.—⁸ Good Heavens what a man you are to go wandering to the Atlas.⁹ Now don’t be a fool, & do take care of yourself.— I know nothing about the natives, but I am convinced that they are blood-thirsty savages.— Look for alpine insects, not that the entomologists are worthy of such treasures. By Jove the alpine plants w^d probably be grand. But remember my words & don’t be a fool & risk your life.— I don’t like the thought of such a journey for a venerable rheumatic old man!—

I have been fearfully disappointed in Cunningham’s book.¹⁰ It is wonderful that any man could publish such flat entries. Murray writes today 1000 more copies must be printed making 5500—¹¹ Is it not wonderful?

Farewell Farewell— | C. D.—