454 THE UNFINISHED BOOK. [1S57. 



of variation in a state of nature ; but I have slowly adopted a 

 distinct and tangible idea, — whether true or false others must 

 judge ; for the firmest conviction of the truth of a doctrine by 

 its author, seems, alas, not to be the slightest guarantee of 

 truth ! . . . 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Moor Park, Saturday [May 2nd, 1857]. 



My dear Hooker, — You have shaved the hair off the 

 Alpine plants pretty effectually. The case of the Anthyllis 

 will make a " tie " with the believed case of Pyrenees plants 

 becoming glabrous at low levels. If I do find that I have 

 marked such facts, I will lay the evidence before you. I 

 wonder how the belief could have originated ! Was it through 

 final causes to keep the plants warm ? Falconer in talk 

 coupled the two facts of woolly Alpine plants and mammals. 

 How candidly and meekly you took my Jeremiad on your 

 severity to second-class men. After I had sent it off, an ugly 

 little voice asked me, once or twice, how much of my noble 

 defence of the poor in spirit and in fact, was owing to your 

 having not seldom smashed favourite notions of my own. I 

 silenced the ugly little voice with contempt, but it would 

 whisper again and again. I sometimes despise myself as a 

 poor compiler as heartily as you could do, though I do not 

 despise my whole work, as I think there is enough known to 

 lay a foundation for the discussion on the origin of species. 

 I have been led to despise and laugh at myself as a compiler, 

 for having put down that " Alpine plants have large flowers," 

 and now perhaps I may write over these very words, "Alpine 

 plants have small or apetalous flowers ! " . . . 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, [May] 16th [1857]. 

 My dear Hooker, — You said — I hope honestly — that 

 you did not dislike my asking questions on general points, 

 you of course answering or not as time or inclination might 



