THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859. 



just break the ground we shall have done some service, even 

 if we reap no harvest. 



I quite agree that we only differ in degree about the means 

 of dispersal, and that I think a satisfactory amount of accord- 

 ance. You put in a very striking manner the mutation of our 

 continents, and I quite agree ; I doubt only about our oceans. 



I also agree (I am in a very agreeing frame of mind) with 

 your argumentum ad hominem, about the highness of the 

 Australian Flora from the number of species and genera ; but 

 here comes in a superlative bothering element of doubt, viz., 

 the effect of isolation. 



The only point in which I presumptuously rather demur is 

 about the status of the naturalised plants in Australia. I 

 think Miiller speaks of their having spread largely beyond 

 cultivated ground ; and I can hardly believe that our Euro- 

 pean plants would occupy stations so barren that the native 

 plants could not live there. I should require much evidence 

 to make me believe this. I have written this note merely to 

 thank you, as you will see it requires no answer. 



I have heard to my amazement this morning from Phillips 

 that the Geological Council have given me the Wollaston 

 Medal ! ! ! 



Ever yours, 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, Jan. 23d, 1859. 



... I enclose letters to you and me from Wallace. I ad- 

 mire extremely the spirit in which they are written. I never 

 felt very sure what he would say. He must be an amiable 

 man. Please return that to me, and Lyell ought to be told 

 how well satisfied he is. These letters have vividly brought 

 before me how much I owe to your and Lyell's most kind and 

 generous conduct in all this affair. 



. How glad I shall be when the Abstract is finished, 

 ALd i can rest \ . 



