1878.] FERTILISATION OF FLOWERS. 461 



filaments [are] produced laterally and transversely across the 

 flower (just over the nectar) from one of the petals or modi- 

 fied stamens. It is splendid to watch the phenomenon under 

 a weak power when a bristle is inserted into a young flower 

 which no insect has visited. As far as I know Stylidium is the 

 sole case of sensitive pistil and here it is the pi stil-J- stamens 

 In Thalia* cross-fertilisation is ensured by the wonderful 

 movement, if bees visit several flowers. 



I have now relieved my mind and will tell the purport of 

 this note viz. if any other species of Thalia besides T. deal- 

 bata should flower with you, for the love of heaven and all 

 the saints, send me a few in tin box with damp moss. 



Your insane friend, 



CH. DARWIN. 



[In 1878 Dr. Ogle's translation of Kerner's interesting 

 book, * Flowers and their Unbidden Guests,' was published. 

 My father, who felt much interest in the translation (as 

 appears in the following letter), contributed some prefatory 

 words of approval :] 



C. Darwin to W. Ogle. 



Down, December 16 [1878]. 



.... I have* now read Kerner's book, which is better 

 even than I anticipated. The translation seems to me as 

 clear as daylight, and written in forcible and good familiar 

 English. I am rather afraid that it is too good for the 

 English public, which seems to like very washy food, unless 

 it be -administered by some one whose name is well known, 

 and then I suspect a good deal of the unintelligible is very 

 pleasing to them. I hope to heaven that I may be wrong. 

 Anyhow, you and Mrs. Ogle have done a right good service 

 for Botanical Science. Yours very sincerely, 



CH. DARWIN. 



* Hildebrand has described an explosive arrangement in some of the 

 Maranteae the tribe to which Thalia belongs. 



