364 CHARLES CAEDALE BABINGTON. [1865^ 



To Professor J. H. Balfour, M.D. 



Cambridge, July 28, 1865. 



Dear Balfour, — The plants came before your letter. They are 

 Saghui saxatilis, and, I quite suppose, S. nivalis. One thing is clear, 

 that the latter plant is not constant to the number of parts in the 

 flower. These now sent are divided in fives, the former in fours. 

 Fries and others say that five is the right number, and I have been 

 thereby misled. The figure in Syme's " English Botany " is certainly 

 wrong in the habit of the plant. It is truly caespitose, but does not 

 root. Our original plant is now a dense tuft of closely branching 

 stems spreading from a centre, some two inches across, and looking 

 much like a tuft of Silene acaulis. Mudd is very much pleased, and 

 interested with it. Also aS^. saxatilis has given us both much pleasure, 

 as it is new to our Garden. You did wonderfully well in your trip 

 to Ben Lawers in so short a time. It must have been hard work 

 however. — Yours very truly, Charles C. Babington. 



To the Rev. T. A. Preston. 



Cambridge, Oct. 23, 1865. 



Dear Preston, — I have looked with much pleasure at the report 

 of your Natural History Society. It is a very creditable production, 

 and shews that you are getting on in the study of science at the 

 school. May you go on and prosper. I think that your Epilobium is 

 parviflorum. Nor do I fancy that there can be any doubt about the 

 other being a runner of Lamium Galeobdolon. — Yours very truly,. 

 Charles C. Babington. 



To Professor J. H. Balfour, M.D. 



6, Belmont, Bath, Bee. 19, 1865. 



Dear Balfour, — I have received your note, but the packet of 

 plants remains at Cambridge. I return there, probably, next week 

 for a few days, and will then try and find time to look at it, and 

 give my opinion on the Plantagos. I have an attraction that keeps 

 me here as much as I can during the cessation of work at Cam- 

 bridge, and therefore, although going there upon business, I shall 

 be here again as soon as I can, to continue during much of January. 

 You will guess what the attraction is .... I had given up all idea 

 of such an event happening, but they say that they are arranged in 

 Heaven, and I must now believe it. — Believe me, my dear Balfour,, 

 very truly yours, Charles C. Babington. 



"We hope to be married at Easter. 



