1878.] in plants/ 33 1 



to observe carefully another. If you have any fruit, will Mr. 

 Lynch * be so kind as to send one more ? 



I am working away like a slave at radicles [roots] and at 

 movements of true leaves, for I have pretty well done with 

 cotyledons. . . . 



That was an excellent letter about the Gardens : f I had 

 hoped that the agitation was over. Politicians are a poor 

 truckling lot, for [they] must see the wretched effects of 

 keeping the gardens open all day long. 



Your ever troublesome friend, 



Ch. Darwin. 



C. Darwin to W. Thiselton Dyer. 



4 Bryanston St., Portman Square, 



November 21 [1878]. 



My dear Dyer, — I must thank you for all the wonderful 

 trouble which you have taken about the seeds of Impatiens 

 and on scores of other occasions. It in truth makes me feel 

 ashamed of myself, and I cannot help thinking: " Oh Lord, 

 when he sees our book he will cry out, is this all for which I 

 have helped so much ! " In seriousness, I hope that we have 

 made out some points, but I fear that we have done very little 

 for the labour which we have expended on our work. We are 

 here for a week for a little rest, which I needed. 



If I remember right, November 30th, is the anniversary at 

 the Royal, and I fear Sir Joseph must be almost at the last 

 gasp. I shall be glad when he is no longer President. 



Yours very sincerely, 



Ch. Darwin. 



[In the spring of the following year, 1879, when he was 

 engaged in putting his results together, he wrote somewhat 



* Mr. R. I. Lynch, now Curator f This refers to an attempt to 



of the Botanic Garden at Cam- induce the Government to open 



bridge, was at this time in the Royal the Royal Gardens at Kew in the 



Gardens, Kew. morning. 



