478 LETTERS TO DARWIN AND OTHERS. [1862, 
Her former message did not refer to Boott (though 
he is unfortunately influenced by longitude ; but is a 
Yankee born), nor to Hooker, who, Gallio fashion, 
cares for none of these things; thinks us unwise for 
fighting, I presume; but we perfectly agree to say 
nothing about such matters. It is odd that you all 
fail to appreciate that it is simply a struggle for ex- 
istence on our part, and that men will persist in think- 
ing their existence of some consequence to themselves, 
though you prove the contrary ever so plain ; and will 
strike or grasp or kick, right and left, in an undigni- 
fied way sometimes; which the safe and sound by- 
stander, coolly looking on, may not appreciate, not 
sharing his feelings, telling him the world will get on 
quite as well without him; yet he somehow does not 
quite like it. 
March 6. 
I have your note of February 16, about Melasto- 
macee. The test of a good theory is said to be its 
power of predicting. If your speculations lead you 
to predict the style curved to one side in Melastoma- 
cez, and the prediction is verified, that will be a great 
matter in your favor. Why, you are coming out so 
strong in final causes that they should make a D. D. 
of you at Cambridge! 
I shall be pleased if I can help you about Rhexia. 
R. Virginica grows not far from here, and I will set to 
watching it next summer. But I fear it may not help 
you, as it is stated in our “Flora of North America” 
to have “anthers uniform.” I see, however, the 
phrase, “ style somewhat declined,” in the. character ; 
which must be looked to. The character was drawn 
wholly from dried specimens. I have good details from 
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