I857-] LARGE GENERA VARYING. 103 



other than in small genera ; and if this were so, seeing that 

 varieties and species are so hardly distinguishable, I concluded 

 that I should find more varieties in the large genera than in 

 the small. . . . Some day I hope you will read my short 

 discussion on the whole subject. You have done me infinite 

 service, whatever opinion I come to, in drawing my attention 

 to at least the possibility or the probability of botanists 

 recording" more varieties in the large than in the small genera. 

 It will be. hard work for me to be candid in coming to my 

 conclusion. 



Ever yours, most truly, 



C. DARWIN. 



P.S. I shall be several weeks at my present job. The 

 work has been turning out badly for me this morning, and I 

 am sick at heart ; and, oh ! how I do hate species and varieties. 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



July i4th [1857 ?] 



... I write now to supplicate most earnestly a favour, 

 viz. the loan of Boreau, Flore du centre de la France, either 

 ist or 2nd edition, last best; also "Flora Ratisbonensis," by 

 Dr. Ftirnrohr, in 'Naturhist. Topographic von Regensburg, 

 1839.' If y u can possibly spare them, will you send them at 

 once to the enclosed address. If you have not them, will 

 you send one line by return of post : as I must try whether 

 Kippist * can anyhow find them, which I fear will be nearly 

 impossible in the Linnean Library, in which I know they are. 



I have been making some calculations about varieties, &c., 

 and talking yesterday with Lubbock,he has pointed out to me 

 the grossest blunder which I have made in principle, and 

 which entails two or three weeks' lost work ; and I am at a 

 dead-lock till I have these books to go over again, and see 



* The late Mr. Kippist was at this time in charge of the Linnean 

 Society's Library. 



