I859-J GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 503 



you pie >ise mention this to Sir William Hooker, and if the nut 

 does arrive, will you oblige me by returning it to " Sir W. 

 Milner, Bart., Nunappleton, Tadcaster," in a registered letter, 

 and I will repay you postage. Enclose slip of paper with the 

 name and country if you can, and let me hereafter know. 

 Forgive me asking you to take this much trouble ; for it is a 

 funny little fact after my own heart. 



Now for another subject. I have finished my Abstract of 

 the chapter on Geographical Distribution, as bearing on my 

 subject. I should like you much to read it; but I say this, 

 believing that you will not do so, if, as I believe to be the 

 case, you are extra busy. On my honour, I shall not be mor- 

 tified, and I earnestlybeg you not to do it, if it will bother 

 you. I want it, because I here feel especially unsafe, and 

 errors may have crept in. Also, I should much like to know 

 what parts you will most vehemently object to. I know we do, 

 and must, differ widely on several heads. Lastly, I should 

 like particularly to know whether I have taken anything from 

 you, which you would like to retain for first publication ; but 

 I think I have chiefly taken from your published works, and, 

 though I have several times, in this chapter and elsewhere, 

 acknowledged your assistance, I am aware that it is not pos- 

 sible for me in the Abstract to do it sufficiently.* But again 

 let me say that you must not offer to read it if very irksome. 

 It is long — about ninety pages, I expect, when fully copied 

 out. 



I hope you are all well. Moor Park has done me some 

 good. Yours affectionately, 



C. Darwin. 



P. S. — Heaven forgive me, here is another question : How 

 far am I right in supposing that with plants, the most impor- 



* " I never did pick any one's pocket, but whilst writing my present 

 chapter I keep on feeling (even when differing most from you) just as if I 

 were stealing from you, so much do I owe to your writings and conversa- 

 tion, so much more than mere acknowledgments show." — Letter to Sir 

 J. D. Hooker, 1859. 



