1856.] BOTANICAL GEOGRAPHY. ^3 



of rabbits, and can you give me any details? One other 

 question : You used to keep hawks ; do you at all know, 

 after eating a bird, how soon after they throw up the pellet ? 

 No subject gives me so much trouble and doubt and diffi- 

 culty as the means of dispersal of the same species of terres- 

 trial productions on the oceanic islands. Land mollusca drive 

 me mad, and I cannot anyhow get their eggs to experimentise 

 their power of floating and resistance to the injurious action 

 of salt water. I will not apologise for writing so much about 

 my own doings, as I believe you will like to hear. Do some- 

 time, I beg you, let me hear how you get on in health ; and 

 if so inclined ^ let me have some words on call-ducks. 

 My dear Fox, yours affectionately, 



Ch. Darwin. 



[With regard to his book he wrote (Nov. loth) to Sir 

 Charles Lyell : 



" I am working very steadily at my big book ; I have 

 found it quite impossible to publish any preliminary essay or 

 sketch ; but am doing my work as completely as my present 

 materials allow without waiting to perfect them. And this 

 much acceleration I owe to you."] 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, Sunday [Oct. 1856.] 

 My dear Hooker, — The seeds are come all safe, many 

 thanks for them. I was very sorry to run away so soon and 

 miss any part of my 7nost pleasant evening ; and I ran away 

 like a Goth and Vandal without wishing Mrs. Hooker good- 

 bye ; but I was only just in time, as I got on the platform the 

 train had arrived. 



I was particularly glad of our discussion after dinner ; 

 fighting a battle with you always clears my mind wonderfully. 

 I groan to hear that A. Gray agrees with you about the con- 

 dition of Botanical Geography. All I know is that if you had 



