60 GEOEGE JOHN EOMANBS 1876- 



On the days when I could get no jelly-fish I took 

 to star-fish. I want, if possible, to make out the 

 functions of the sand-canal and the aviculse ; but as 

 yet I have only discovered the difficulties to be over- 

 come. I had intended to make a cell to cover the 

 calcareous plate at the end of the sand-canal, and to 

 fill the cell with dye, in order to test Siebold's hypo- 

 thesis that the whole apparatus is a filter for the 

 ambulacral system ; but Providence seems to have 

 specially designed that no substance in creation 

 should be adapted for sticking to the back of a starfish. 



The aviculse are very puzzling things. I am sure 

 Allen is wrong in his hypothesis of their function 

 being to remove parasitical growths ; for, on the one 

 hand, parasites are swarming around them unheeded, 

 and on the other, they go snapping away apparently 

 at nothing. It is more easy, however, to say what 

 they are not than what they are. 



I went a few days ago to see the vine. It is now 

 five feet high and vigorous, but I believe spring is 

 the proper time for grafting. 



With best thanks for your 'boasting' and good 

 wishes, I remain very sincerely and most respect- 

 fully yours, 



Geo. J. Romanes. 



From C. Darwin, Esq. 



Down : June 4. 



Sir Joseph Fayrer supplied me with cobra poison. 

 It is very precious, but I have no doubt that by 

 explaining your motive he would give you a little. 



