[1]

Down.

Bromley.

Kent. S.E.

Dec 9.

My dear Sir

I have read the paper with care, & it seems to me better than I expected, though badly arranged. As far as I can judge the whole of the first part, with the exception of a few introductory sentences, (which I have struck out) must be published. No one I think without specimens cd make a good abstract. With respect to the latter part of the paper you will be a much better judge than I: at p. 11., where I have put a pencil cross, the subject changes, & again at p. 12.; whether either of these discussions ought to be retained, I really cannot decide.

I have recd other accounts, from the same author & others, of the curious imitation of plants in S. Africa.

The climbing of the convolvulus is also a curious point with reference to the same plant when grown in Ireland; but I must beg you to decide whether these extraneous passages ought to remain.

With respect to the plates, it is obvious that all cannot & do not deserve to be engraved; I wd suggest fig 6, 7, 2 & 3 in PI. 1. to be engraved on the same block & inserted at p. 7 of the M.S.

I enclose a title for the wood block in case you approve of my suggestion.

My dear Sir

yours very faithfully

Ch. Darwin

[enclosure:]

All from Plate I for a woodcut

Fig 1.      (fig 6 of m.s.)          Fig 3.      (Fig 2. of m.s.)

—    2.     (Fig 7. of m.s.)       —   4.      (Fig 3 of m.s.)

(Beneath the 4 cuts insert in small type)

Fig. 1.     Under surface of Labellum of Bonatea Darwinii (magnified)

Fig. 2.     Pollinium of do in natural position (magnified)

Fig 3       Under surface of Labellum of Bonatea species (from Mr.Trimen)

Fig 4.      Pollinium of do (from do.)