LETTEK TO WALLACE 461 



phical areas. The species are wonderfully constant though 

 insect fertilised and are most demonstrably (to appearances) 

 dependent for their creation, variation, &c. on Insect action. 

 I am sending you the published part of an epitome of the 

 species, the object of which is to draw collectors' attention in 

 India to the necessity of observing as well as collecting. 



To W. E. Darwin 



January 7, 1906. 



I knew Lady Dorothy Nevill very well, and had many 

 invitations to her hospitable house. Her narrative does not 

 do justice to herself. She was not the frivolous character 

 she paints. She was thoroughly interested in the rare 

 plants of her noble garden. Her exertions in the hopeless 

 endeavour to establish a silk culture in England were earnest 

 and long continued — and her efforts to improve Donkey 

 breeding and other industries of a like nature were as intelli- 

 gent as useful. I ought to go and see her, as she made me 

 welcome in London too, but have not for years. 



To Mrs. Paisley 



July 20, 1906. 



[After his eighty-ninth birthday.] 



My dear Sabina, — I cry shame on myself for so long 

 delaying to acknowledge and send grateful thanks for the 

 welcome congratulations of one who is by many years my 

 earliest friend. Of the pile of tokens of affection that lies 

 on my table, yours is surely the only one that carries me back 

 to childhood's years and to memories that have cheered many 

 an hour of sad and serious as well as happy thoughts. The 

 ' Baths ' and ' Jordan Hill ' — your father and mother and all 

 your sisters and above all Archie and yourself are no mere 

 dreams to me, but vivid realities. Louisa comes next after 

 you. Of the few companions I had in Glasgow all have gone 

 years ago, and I really think that you are by good 20 years or 

 more the earliest living friend, as you are the most prized, 

 on many accounts. 



It is good news that you are so well and above all free 

 from pain. No doubt much vigour cannot be hoped for at 

 our ages, and I do get a little stiff ; but except for flying fits 

 of eczema which render walking troublesome, I have nothing 

 but ' hardness of hearing ' to complain of. 



