i868 i88i] MORPHOLOGY 379 



habits of life, this uniformity could have been acquired through Letter 699 

 Natural Selection. Now, I am much inclined to believe, in 

 accordance with the view given towards the close of my 

 MS., that the near approach to uniformity in such struc- 

 tures depends on their not being of vital importance, 

 and therefore not being acted on by Natural Selection. 1 

 If you have reflected on this point, what do you think of it ? 

 I hope that you approved of the argument deduced from the 

 modifications in the small closed flowers. 



It is only about two years since last edition of Origin, and 

 I am fairly disgusted to find how much I have to modify, 

 and how much I ought to add ; but I have determined not 

 to add much. Fleeming Jenkins has given me much trouble, 

 but has been of more real use to me than any other essay 

 or review. 2 



To J. D. Hooker. Letter 700 



Down [Jan. 22nd, 1869]. 



Your letter is quite splenditious. I am greatly tempted, 

 but shall, I hope, refrain from using some of your remarks in 

 my chapter on Classification. It is very true what you say 

 about unimportant characters being so important systematic- 

 ally ; yet it is hardly paradoxical bearing in mind that the 

 natural system is genetic, and that we have to discover the 

 genealogies anyhow. Hence such parts as organs of genera- 

 tion are so useful for classification though not concerned 

 with the manner of life. Hence use for same purpose of 

 rudimentary organs, etc. You cannot think what a relief 

 it is that you do not object to this view, for it removes /#;-//;' 

 a heavy burden from my shoulders. If I lived twenty more 

 years and was able to work, how I should have to modify the 

 Origin, and how much the views on all points will have to be 

 modified ! Well, it is a beginning, and that is something. . . . 



To T. H. Farrer (Lord Farrer). Letter 701 



Down, Aug. roth, 1869. 



Your view seems most ingenious and probable ; but 

 ascertain in a good many cases that the nectar is actually 



1 This view is given in the Origin, Ed. VI., p. 372. 

 ! On Fleeming Jenkins' review, N. British Review, June, 1867, see 

 Life and Letters, III., p. 107. 



