My dear F.

I am glad you have tried touching cells, for I sh^d. never have rested until hearing a result of some kind.² Was the point kept in contact for some little time? It rejoices me that the Phys. (I forget name) has looked at Dipsacus; I have always thought that you ought to go with that subject.—³ W^d. it worth while to show him aggregated matter in Drosera in movement, ie in early stage of aggregation? I doubt whether you will succeed in Drosera by contact, as gland only sensitive part & seat of movement chiefly at base of filament.

I have tried in peat radicles of Pisum with caustic above & below. There was no difference between the 10 control & 10 touched above in their geotropism; but I hardly looked early enough. But of the 10 touched below, 3 curved in opposition to geotropism—2 or 3 were straight & 5 or 6 geotropic in slight degree; so contest wonderfully great.⁴

I can see it will be impossible to try gold-beaters skin on mustard radicles.⁵ It has pleased me that I think I fully understand cause of “Sachs’ curvature” of radicles— too long to explain by letter.⁶

I have finished long chapter on Sleeping Plants & sent it to M^r Norman to copy & diagrams to M^r Cooper.—⁷

I am now looking over piles of notes on Heliotropism. By the way I am becoming frightened at changing so well-known a term as Heliotropism & cannot bring myself yet to write “Helism”. or “Proshelism”..⁸

I am more perplexed than ever about life of D^r. D: Hen thinks it very dull, & wants it much shortened & otherwise arranged. Erasmus likes it. Your mother wants parts shortened.— I shall take it on Aug. 1^st to Lakes & finish it there.⁹

I am tired— Ever yours | C. Darwin

(What are your plans, if you have any, you degenerate Darwin.)¹⁰

Abbadabba flourishing & Dumming¹¹