52 CHARLES DARWIN. 



interest, as throwing light upon his work, and also 

 because of this early reference to Huxley : — 



" DoMm, Sei^t. 5. 



"My dear Harry,— I am very much obliged for the 

 Columbine seed and for your note which made us laugh 

 heartily. 



" I had no idea what trouble the counting must have been, 

 I had not the least conception that there would have been so 

 many pods. I am very much interested on this point, and 

 therefore to make assurance sure, I repeat your figures viz. 

 560 and 742 pods on two plants and 7200 on another. Does 

 the latter number really mean pods and not seeds? Upon 

 my life I am sorry to give so much trouble, but I should be 

 VERY MUCH obliged for a few average size pods, put up 

 separately that I may count the seeds in each pod : for 

 though I counted the seeds in the pods sent before, I hardly 

 dare trust them without counting more. Moreover I sadly 

 want more seed itself for one of my experiments. 



" The young cabbages are coming up already. Thank you 

 much about the asparagus seeds ; as it is so rare a plant, you 

 are my only chance. 



" We have been grieved to hear about poor Anne and 

 Tom.—" Your affect*? screw " C. Darwin. 



" Have you been acquainted with Mr. Huxley ; I think 

 you would find him a pleasant acquaintance. He is a very 

 clever man." 



Mr. Francis Darwin believes that the asparagus 

 and cabbage seeds were for the experiments to deter- 

 mine the time during which immersion in salt water 

 could be endured. The object of such experiments 

 was to throw light on the means by which plants are 

 distributed over the earth's surface. He also informs 

 me that the use of the word " screw " is unique and 

 incomprehensible. 



Darwin tells us in the "Autobiography" that 



