Ch. XVL] FERTILISATION OF FLOWERS. 307 



of slight modification of structure leading to new functions. 

 I never was more interested in any subject in all my life than 

 in this of Orchids. I owe very much to you." 



Again to the same friend, November 1, 1861 : — 



" If you really can spare another Catasetum, when nearly 

 ready, I shall be most grateful ; had I not better send for it ? 

 The case is truly marvellous; the (so-called) sensation, or 

 stimulus from a light touch is certainly transmitted through 

 the antonnsB for more than one inch instantaneously. ... A 

 cursed insect or something let my last flower off last night." 



Professor de Candolle has remarked* of my father, " Ce n'est 

 pas lui qui aurait demande de construire des palais pour y 

 loger des laboratoires." This was singularly true of his 

 orchid work, or rather it would be nearer the truth to say that 

 he had no laboratory, for it was only after the publication of 

 the Fertilisation of Orchids, that he built himself a green- 

 house. He wrote to Sir J. D. Hooker (December 24th, 

 1862) :— 



" And now I am going to tell you a most important piece of 

 news ! ! I have almost resolved to build a small hot-house ; my 

 neighbour's really first-rate gardener has suggested it, and 

 offered to make me plans, and see that it is well done, and he is 

 really a clever fellow, who wins lots of prizes, and is very 

 observant. He believes that we should succeed with a little 

 patience ; it will be a grand amusement for me to experiment 

 with plants." 



Again he wrote (February 15th, 1863) : — 



" I write now because the new hot-house is ready, and I long 

 to stock it, just like a schoolboy. Could you tell me pretty 

 soon what plants you can give me ; and the a I shall know 

 what to order ? And do advise me how I had better get such 

 plants as you can spare. Would it do to send my tax-cart 

 early in the morning, on a day that was not frosty, lining the 

 cart with mats, and arriving here before night ? I have no 

 idea whether this degree of exposure (and of course the cart 

 would be cold) could injure stove-plants ; they would be about 

 five hours (with bait) on the journey home." 



A week later he wrote : — 



" You cannot imagine what pleasure your plants give me 

 (far more than your dead Wedgwood- ware can give you) ; H. 

 and I go and gloat over them, but we privatelv confessed to 

 each other, that if they were not our own, perhaps we should 

 not see such transcendant beauty in each leaf." 



* " Darwin consider^, &c," Archives des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles 

 3feme p&iode. Tome vii. 481, 1882. 



x 2 



