xxi LETTERS TO MARCO 141 



The fact that the leaves of holly bushes 

 are not armed with spines when they grow 

 on the parts above the reach of cattle has 

 been noticed by naturalists. I have observed 

 the same sort of thing, or something analogous 

 to it, in ivy, the lower leaves of which, and 

 those close to the stems, are generally pointed 

 and angular, whilst the leaves that grow up 

 high and extend out into the air are rounded ; 

 and as the cattle-feeding theory could have 

 nothing to do with this arrangement in ivy 

 leaves, I am a little inclined to doubt the 

 evolutionary theory as regards the holly. 



I am still very dissatisfied with one of my 

 pictures, and begin to think that I have chosen 

 a subject with which I do not feel sufficient 

 sympathy, as I somehow do not work at it 

 with the proper enthusiasm. It is very 

 mortifying, as I have wasted so much time 

 over it trying all sorts of arrangements. I 

 can never make a success unless I can see 

 my picture before commencing it, and in this 

 case I have been trying to build up a picture 



