382 CHARLES CARDALE BABINGTON. [1877 



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



Cambkidge, Nov. 13, 1877. 



Dear Balfour, — I have great hopes that early in the spring the 

 University will at length give me the pay of an assistant curator 

 of the herbarium, (I am ex-officio curator) where there is a great 

 deal of arranging work to be done — which has not been done 

 through lack of skilled hands to do it. I do not know exactly 

 what they will allow me, I asked for £150 per annum, but they 

 may probably not allow me more than <£100. Now if I get such a 

 grant, do you think that you could find a student to take the post ? 

 A man who would submit fully to me, and work well. He could 

 enter in the University, and pass through it so as to obtain a degree. 

 Of course to do so, he would require to have had a good school 

 education, and be diligent. But he would have plenty of time. 

 Men have done so in the Chemical and Geological departments : so 

 why should one not do it in the Botanical 1 The pay would cover 

 a large part of his expenses as an "unattached" student. Will 

 you think of this for me, as I should like to be able to say that I 

 have a fit man to take the post if it is established. Mind, it is not 

 yet established, and was refused about a year ago : but now I have 

 good hopes. I hope that you are all well. With our united kind 

 regards to Mrs. Balfour and yourself, — I am, yours ever, Charles 

 C. Babington. 



To Henry Groves, Esq. 



Cambridge, Dec. 6, 1877. 



Dear Sir, — I do not understand people making sections of 

 Batrachia, "with and without floating leaves." There are no 

 such sections in nature. I do not think there is one form which 

 may not under rare circumstances have flat floating leaves, unless 

 it is circinatus. 



No. 1. R. tripartitus-intermedius. I think that this is the R. tri- 

 phyllos (Wallr.). I have placed my rough notes of it in the packet 

 with the specimens for your perusal. 



No. 2. R. peltatus\ j^atrachium truncatum Burn. 



No. 3. R. peltatus) 



No. 4, R. heterophyllus I quite think. 



No. 5. R. heter&phyllus apparently. 



No. 6. R. heterophyllus. 



No. 7, 8, 9. R. heterophyllus. 



No. 10. R. Drouetii. 



No. 11 and y3 I think are both R. heterophyllus. 



No. 12 I have no doubt is the form of heterophyllus without 

 floating leaves, my /3. 



No. 13. trichophyllus. The peculiar colour and look of the 

 leaves is almost, if not quite, conclusive as to the name of this. I 



