306 'DIFFERENT FORMS OF FLOWERS [1864. 



of one's own theories I follow Agassiz and declare, " that nature 

 never lies." I should even be very glad to examine the two 

 dried forms of Plantago. Indeed, any dried dimorphic plants 

 would be gratefully received. . . . 



Did my Lythrum paper interest you ? I crawl on at the 

 rate of two hours per diem, with ' Variation under Domestic- 

 ation.' 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, November 26 [1864]. 



.... You do not know how pleased I am that you have 

 read my Lythrum paper ; I thought you would not have time, 

 and I have for long years looked at you as my Public, and care 

 more for your opinion than that of all the rest of the world. 

 I have done nothing which has interested me so much as 

 Lythrum, since making out the complemental males of Cirri- 

 pedes. I fear that I have dragged in too much miscellaneous 

 matter into the paper. 



... I get letters occasionally, which show me that Natural 

 Selection is making great progress in Germany, and some 

 amongst the young in France. I have just received a pamphlet 

 from Germany, with the complimentary title of " Darwinische 

 Arten-Enstehung-Humbug " ! 



Farewell, my best of old friends, 



C. Darwin. 



C. Darwin to Asa Gray. 



September 10, [1S67 ?] 



.... The only point which I have made out this summer, 

 which could possibly interest you, is that the common Oxlip 

 found everywhere, more or less commonly in England, is cer- 

 tainly a hybrid between the primrose and cowslip ; whilst the 

 P. elatior (Jacq.), found only in the Eastern Counties, is a 

 perfectly distinct and good species ; hardly distinguishable 



