58 GROWTH OF THE 'ORIGIN.' [1855. 



my experiments are ended (should the results appear worthy) 

 and should the ' Linnean Journal ' not object to the previous 

 publication of imperfect and provisional reports, I should be 

 delighted to insert the final report there ; for it has cost me so 

 much trouble, that I should think that probably the result 

 was worthy of more permanent record than a newspaper ; 

 but I think I am bound to send it first to Lindley. 



I begin to think the floating question more serious than the 

 germinating one ; and am making all the enquiries which I 

 can on the subject, and hope to get some little light on it ... 



I hope you managed a good meeting at the Club. The 

 Treasurership must be a plague to you, and I hope you will 

 not be Treasurer for long : I know I would much sooner give 

 up the Club than be its Treasurer. 



Farewell, Mr. Assistant Director and dear friend, 



C. DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



June 5th, 1855. 



.... Miss Thorley * and I are doing a little Botanical 

 -work ! for our amusement, and it does amuse me very much, 

 viz. making a collection of all the plants, which grow in a field, 

 which has been allowed to run waste for fifteen years, but 

 which before was cultivated from time immemorial ; and we 

 are also collecting all the plants in an adjoining and similar 

 but cultivated field ; just for the fun of seeing what plants 

 have arrived [survived ?] or died out. Hereafter we shall want 

 a bit of help in naming puzzlers. How dreadfully difficult 

 it is to name plants. 



What a remarkably nice and kind letter Dr. A. Gray has 

 sent me in answer to my troublesome queries ; I retained 

 your copy of his ' Manual ' till I heard from him, and when I 

 have answered his letter, I will return it to you. 



I thank you much for Hedysarum : I do hope it is not very 

 * A lady who was for many years a governess in the family. 



