1874.] FERTILISATION OF FLOWERS. 4-7 



new light, and has told me other things which I did not 

 know. I heartily agree with you in your high appreciation of 

 poor old C. Sprengel's work ; and one regrets bitterly that he 

 did not live to see his labours thus valued. It rejoices me 

 also to notice how highly you appreciate H. Miiller, who has 

 always seemed to me an admirable observer and reasoner. I 

 am at present endeavoring to persuade an English publisher 

 to bring out a translation of his 'Befruchtung.' 



Lastly, permit me to thank you for your very generous 

 remarks on my works. By placing what I have been able to 

 do on this subject in systematic order, you have made me 

 think more highly of my own work than I ever did before ! 

 Nevertheless, I fear that you have done me more than justice. 



I remain, dear Sir, yours faithfully and obliged, 



Charles Darwin. 



[The letter which follows was called forth by Dr. Gray's 

 article in 'Nature,' to which reference has already been made, 

 and which appeared June 4, 1874 :] 



C. Darwin to Asa Gray. 



Down, June 3 [1874]. 

 My dear Gray, — I was rejoiced to see your hand-writ- 

 ing again in your note of the 4th, of which more anon. I was 

 astonished to see announced about a week ago that you were 

 going to write in ' Nature ' an article on me, and this morning 

 I received an advance copy. It is the grandest thing ever 

 written about me, especially as coming from a man like your- 

 self. It has deeply pleased me, particularly some of your 

 side remarks. It is a wonderful thing to me to live to see 

 my name coupled in any fashion with that of Robert Brown. 

 But you are a bold man, for I am sure that you will be 

 sneered at by not a few botanists. I have never been so 

 honoured before, and I hope it will do me good and make 

 me try to be as careful as possible ; and good heavens, how 

 difficult accuracy is ! I feel a very proud man, but I hope 

 this won't last. . . . 

 44 



