HOME LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE, 353 



perianth of Loranthus of bisexual flowers, but linear adnate 

 hifariously-mutilocellate anthers, quite unlike anything I know, 

 bearing out the adage, " Always something new and strange 

 from Africa." . . . 



I have thus run on with botanical matters, when I ou^ht 

 to ask for Mrs. Gr., whose illness I hope has resolved itself into a 

 matter of history. ... I am indeed grieved to hear of the 

 sorrowful death of your favourite dog. Such catastrophes are 

 very ruffling to the spirit — to say the least of it — so much so 

 that I have abstained from indulging in petted animal friends. 

 I remember, when at the Cape, feeling ashamed of being so 

 deeply moved when my ostrich died that I forswore any- 

 similar entanglement, and have kept my vow. As to the after 

 life of animals, that you speculate on, I see nothing against it — 

 in analogy — and nothing for it in knowledge, and so it is with 

 me, like most such questions, ah open one on which I do not 

 speculate. But this reminds me to ask have you read Ivingsley's 

 " Water Babies," first published in Macmillan, and lately as a 

 separate book. If not, do read it, and I think you will be much 

 amused, and on the whole pleased with it. We were charmed. It 

 is the sweetest romance of purgatory that I ever read, and answers 

 many a half-formed speculation that at various times has flitted 

 across my fancy. Then the episode of " Do-as-you-like's," and 

 the story of Madame Gairfowl are perfection in their way. . . . 



I congratulate you on the prospect of having your Herbarium 

 made permanent and self-supporting. It will greatly relieve 

 you of weight, and cheer you with the hope that your labour 

 will not die with you, but be useful to future generations. I 

 should not have half the pleasure in my Herbarium if I thought it 

 would be sold and dispersed, as I have in its being on the 

 College foundation. 



1 June, 1864. 



My dear Mes. Gatty, 



I do not know how cats purr, and am glad you asked 



but I know that will purr very loud the next time he 



hears of Aunt Judy, about whose Dutch story he is very anxious, 

 and fears she has given it up. . . . 



Have you never felt a something stop your own windpipe 

 when pleased or grieved, when suddenly affected either way ? 



2 A 



