188 LIFE OF PROFESSOR HUXLEY CHAP. IX 



Now it seems to me that here is an opportunity one 

 does not often have of getting some information about the 

 action of sea water on wood, and on the mode in which 

 these vegetable remains may become embedded, etc., etc., 

 and I want to get you to tell me where I can find in- 

 formation on submerged forests in general, so as to see to 

 what points one can best direct one's attention, and to 

 suggest any inquiries that may strike yourself. 



I do not see how the stumps can occur in this position 

 without direct sinking of the land, and that such a sinking 

 should have occurred tallies very well with some other 

 facts which I have observed as to the nature of the bottom 

 at considerable depths here. 



We had the j oiliest cruise in the world by Oxford, 

 Warwick, Kenilworth, Stratford, Malvern, Ross, and the 

 Wye, though it was a little rainy, and though my wife's 

 strength sadly failed at times. 



Still she was on the whole much better and stronger 

 than I had any right to expect, and although I get 

 frightened every now and then, yet there can be no doubt 

 that she is steadily though slowly improving. I have no 

 fears for the ultimate result, but her amendment will be 

 a work of time. We have really quite settled down into 

 Darby and Joan, and I begin to regard matrimony as the 

 normal state of man. It's wonderful how light the house 

 looks when I come back weary with a day's boating to 

 what it used to do. 



I hope Mrs. Hooker is well and about again. Pray 

 give her our very kind regards, and believe me. my dear 

 Hooker, ever yours, T. H. HUXLEY. 



At Tenby he stayed on through August and 

 September, continuing his occupations of the previous 

 summer, dredging up specimens for his microscope, 

 and working partly for his own investigations, partly 

 for the Geological Survey. 



