My dear Hooker

I am particularly obliged for your address.² It strikes me as quite excellent & has interested me in the highest degree. Nor is this due to my having worked at the subject, for I feel sure that I sh^d have been just as much struck, perhaps more so, if I had known nothing about it. You could not in my opinion have put the case better. There are several lights (besides the facts) in your essay new to me, & you have greatly honoured me. I heartily congratulate you on so splendid a piece of work. There is a misprint at p. 7, Mitschke for Nitschke.³ There is a partial error at p. 8 where you say that Drosera is nearly indifferent to inorganic substances: this is much too strong; though they do act less efficiently than organic with soluble nitrogenous matter; but the chief difference is in the widely different period of subsequent reexpansion.—⁴ Thirdly I did not suggest to Sanderson his electrical experiments; though no doubt my remarks led to his thinking of them.⁵

Now for your letter   you are very generous about Dionæa; but some of my experiments will require cutting off leaves, & therefore injuring plants. I c^d not write to Lady Dorothy.—⁶ Rollisson says that they expect soon a lot from America.⁷ If Dionæa is not despatched have marked on address “to be forwarded by foot-messenger.”

M^rs Barber’s paper is very curious & ought to be published; but when you come here (& remember you offered to come) we will consult where to send it.⁸

Let me hear when you recommence on Cephalotus or Sarracenia, as I think I am now on right track about Utricularia, after wasting several weeks in fruitless trials & observations.⁹

The negative work takes five times more time than the positive.

Ever Yours | C. Darwin