i88o.] 'POWER OF MOVEMENT IN PLANTS.' cq? 



cut off is, I think, worth your reading (bottom of p. 525) ; it 

 astounded me. The next most remarkable fact, as it ap- 

 peared to me (p. 148), is the discrimination of the tip of the 

 radicle between a slightly harder and softer object affixed 

 on opposite sides of tip. But I will bother you no more 

 about my book. The sensitiveness of seedlings to light is 

 marvellous." 



To another friend, Mr. Thiselton Dyer, he wrote (Novem- 

 ber 28, 1880) :— 



" Very many thanks for your most kind note, but you 

 think too highly of our work, not but what this is very 

 pleasant Many of the Germans are very contempt- 

 uous about making out the use of organs ; but they may 

 sneer the souls out of their bodies, and I for one shall think 

 it the most interesting part of Natural History. Indeed you 

 are greatly mistaken if you doubt for one moment on the very 

 great value of your constant and most kind assistance to us." 



The book was widely reviewed, and excited much interest 

 among the general public. The following letter refers to a 

 leading article in the Times^ November 20, 1880 :] 



C. Darwin to Mrs. Haliburton.^ 



Down, November 22. 1880. 



My dear Sarah, — You see how audaciously I begin ; 

 but I have always loved and shall ever love this name. Your 

 letter has done more than please me, for its kindness has 

 touched my heart. I often think of old days and of the 

 delight of my visits to Woodhouse, and of the deep debt of 

 gratitude which I owe to your father. It was very good of 

 you to write. I had quite forgotten my old ambition about 

 the Shrewsbury newspaper ; f but I remember the pride 



* Mrs. Haliburton was a daughter of my father's early friend, the late 

 Mr. Owen, of Woodhouse. 



f Mrs. Haliburton had reminded him of his saying as a boy that if 

 Eddowes' newspaper ever alluded to him as " our deserving fellow-towns- 

 man," his ambition would be amply gratified. 



