1847-] COAL. 327 



will humbly apologise to you and all Botanists for having let 

 my mind run riot on a subject on which assuredly I know 

 nothing. But till I hear this, I shall keep privately to my 

 own opinion with the same pertinacity and, as you will think, 

 with the same philosophical spirit with which Koenig main- 

 tains that Cheirotherium-footsteps are fuci. 



Whether this letter will sink me still lower in your opinion, 

 or put me a little right, I know not, but hope the latter. Any- 

 how, I have revenged myself with boring you with a very long 

 epistle. Farewell, and be forgiving. Ever yours, 



C. Darwin. 



P.S. — When will you return to Kew ? I have forgotten 

 one main object of my letter, to thank you much for your 

 offer of the ' Hort. Journal,' but I have ordered the two 

 numbers. 



[The two following extracts [1847] S^^e the continuation 

 and conclusion of the coal battle. 



" By the way, as submarine coal made you so wrath, I 

 thought I would experimentise on Falconer and Bunbury* 

 together, and it made [them] even more savage ; * such infer- 

 nal nonsense ought to be thrashed out of me.' Bunbury was 

 more polite and contemptuous. So I now know how to stir 

 up and show off any Botanist. I wonder whether Zoologists 

 and Geologists have got their tender points ; I wish I could 

 find out." 



"I cannot resist thanking you for your most kind note. 

 Pray do not think that I was annoyed by your letter : I per- 

 ceived that you had been thinking with animation, and ac- 

 cordingly expressed yourself strongly, and so I understood it. 

 Forfend me from a man who weighs every expression with 

 Scotch prudence. I heartily wish you all success in your 

 noble problem, and I shall be very curious to have some talk 

 with you and hear your ultimatum."] 



* The late Sir C. Bunbury, well known as a palaeobotanist. 



