i857.j LARGE GENERA VARYING. 461 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



July 14th [1857?]. 



... I write now to supplicate most earnestly a favour, 

 viz., the loan of Boreau^ Flore du centre de la France^ either 

 1st or 2nd edition^ last best ; also ^' Flora Ratisbonensis," by 

 Dr. Fiirnrohr, in ' Naturhist. Topographic von Regensburg, 

 1839/ If you Q.2cs\ possibly spare them, will you send them at 

 once to the enclosed address. If you have not them, will 

 you send one line by return of post : as I must try whether 

 Kippist * can anyhow find them, which I fear will be nearly 

 impossible in the Linnean Library, in which I know they are. 



I have been making some calculations about varieties, &c., 

 and talking yesterday with Lubbock, he has pointed out to 

 me the grossest blunder which I have made in principle, and 

 which entails two or three weeks' lost work ; and I am at a 

 dead-lock till I have these books to go over again, and see 

 what the result of calculation on the right principle is. I am 

 the most miserable, bemuddled, stupid dog in all England, 

 and am ready to cry with vexation at my blindness and 

 presumption. , 



Ever yours, most miserably, 



C. Darwin. 



C. Darwi7i to John Lubbock. 



Down, [July] 14th [1857]. 



My dear Lubbock, — You have done me the greatest 

 possible service in helping me to clarify my brains. If I am 

 as muzzy on all subjects as I am on proportion and chance, 

 — what a book I shall produce ! • 



I have divided the New Zealand Flora as you suggested. 

 There are 329 species in genera of 4 and upwards, and 323 in 

 genera of 3 and less. 



* The late Mr. Kippist was at this time in charge of the Linnean 

 Society's Library. 



