i86i.] FERTILISATION OF FLOWERS. 443 



"If you really can spare another Catasetum, when nearly 

 ready, I shall be most grateful ; had I not better send for it ? 

 The case is truly marvellous ; the (so-called) sensation, or 

 stimulus from a light touch is certainly transmitted through 

 the antennae for more than one inch instantaneously. ... A 

 cursed insect or something let my last flower off last night." 



Professor de Candolle has remarked* of my father, " Ce 

 n'est pas lui qui aurait demande de construire des palais pour 

 y loger des laboratoires." This was singularly true of his 

 orchid work, or rather it would be nearer the truth to say 

 that he had no laboratory, for it was only after the publication 

 of the ' Fertilisation of Orchids,' that he built himself a green- 

 house. He wrote to Sir J. D. Hooker (Dec. 24th, 1862) : — 



"And now I am going to tell you a most important piece 

 of news ! ! I have almost resolved to build a small hot-house; 

 my neighbour's really first-rate gardener has suggested it, 

 and offered to make me plans, and see that it is well done, 

 and he is really a clever fellow, who wins lots of prizes, and 

 is very observant. He believes that we should succeed with 

 a little patience ; it will be a grand amusement for me to 

 experiment with plants." 



Again he wrote (Feb. 15th, 1863) : — 



" I write now because the new hot-house is ready, and I 

 long to stock it, just like a schoolboy. Could you tell me 

 pretty soon what plants you can give me ; and then I shall 

 know what to order ? And do advise me how I had better 

 get such plants as you can spare. Would it do to send my 

 tax-cart early in the morning, on a day that was not frosty, 

 lining the cart with mats, and arriving here before night ? 

 I have no idea whether this degree of exposure (and of course 

 the cart would be cold) could injure stove-plants ; they would 

 be about five hours (with bait) on the journey home." 



A week later he wrote : — 



" You cannot imagine what pleasure your plants give me 



* ' Darwin considere, &c.,' ' Archives des Sciences Physiques et Xatu- 

 relles,' 3eme periode. Tome vii. 481, 1882 (May). 



