1843— 1862] VITALITY OF SEFJ 2.;; 



send my very small case of the charlock ; but as it required Letter 579 

 some space to give all details, perhaps Lindley will m >t in »ert ; 



and if he does, you, you worse than an unbelieving dog, will 

 not, 1 know, believe. The reason I do not care to try Mr. 

 Bentham's plan is that I think it would be very troubl 

 and it would not, it I did not find seed, convince me m\ 

 that none were in the earth, for I have found in my salting 

 experiments that the earth clings to the seeds, and the seeds 

 arc very difficult to find. Whether washing would do 1 1 now 

 not ; a gold-wash< r would succeed, 1 daresay. 



To VV. J. Hooker. 1. •••■ . 580 



Testimonial from Charles Darwin, Esq., M.A., F.R.S.andG S., 

 late Naturalist to Captain hit/Roy's Voyage. 



Down House, Farnborough, August 25th, 1S45. 



I have heard with much interest that your son, Dr. 

 1 looker, is a candidate for the Botanical Chair at Edinburgh. 

 From my former attendance at that University, I am aware 



how important a post it is for the advancement of science, 

 and I am therefore the more anxious for your son's success 

 from my firm belief that no one will fulfil its duties with 

 greater zeal or ability. Since his return from the famous 

 Antarctic expedition, I have had, as you arc aware, much 

 communication with him, with respect to the collections 

 brought home by myself, and on other scientific subjects ; 

 and I cannot express too strongly my admiration at the 

 accuracy of his varied knowledge, and at his powers of 

 generalisation. From Dr. Hooker's disposition, no one, in 

 my opinion, is more fitted to communicate to beginners 

 a strong taste for those pursuits to which he is himself so 

 ardently devoted. Cor the sake of the advance ment of Botany 

 in all its branches, your son has my warmest wishes for his 

 success. 



To J. D. Hooker. lcUCV S&1 



Down, Thursday [June nth, 1S47 J. 

 Many thanks for your kindness about the lodgings — it 

 will be of great use to me. 1 Please let me know the addn 

 if Mr. Jacobson succeeds, for I think 1 shall go on the 22nd 

 and write previously to my lodgings. 1 have since had 



1 The British Association met at Oxford in ll 



