404 GROWTH OF THE 'ORIGIN.' [1854. 



crossing, obliterating varieties, on which, as you know, I have 

 been collecting facts for these dozen years. How awfully flat 

 I shall feel, if when I get my notes together on species, &c., &c., 

 the whole thing explodes like an empty puff-ball. Do not 

 work yourself to death. Ever yours most truly, 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, Nov. 5th [1854], 



MY DEAR HOOKER, I was delighted to get your note 

 yesterday. I congratulate you very heartily,* and whether 

 you care much or little, I rejoice to see the highest scientific 

 judgment-court in Great Britain recognise your claims. I do 

 hope Mrs. Hooker is pleased, and E. desires me particularly 

 to send her cordial congratulations. ... I pity you from the 

 very bottom of my heart about your after-dinner speech, 

 which I fear I shall not hear. Without you have a very 

 much greater soul than I have (and I believe that you have), 

 you will find the medal a pleasant little stimulus, when work 

 goes badly, and one ruminates that all is vanity, it is pleasant 

 to have some tangible proof, that others have thought some- 

 thing of one's labours. 



Good-bye my dear Hooker, I can assure [you] that we 

 both most truly enjoyed your and Mrs. Hooker's visit here. 

 Farewell. My dear Hooker, your sincere friend, 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



March 7 [1855]. 



... I have just finished working well at Wollaston's \ 

 ' Insecta Maderensia ' : it is an admirable work. There is a 

 very curious point in the astounding proportion of Coleoptera 



* On the award to him of the Royal Society's Medal, 

 f Thomas Vernon Wollaston died (in his fifty-seventh year, as I believe) 

 on Jan 4, 1878. His health forcing him in early manhood to winter in 



