1858.] PLANS FOR PUBLICATION. 143 



proved forms ; thus all existing Ganoid fishes are fresh water, 

 as [are] Lcpidosiren and Ornithorhynchus, &c. The plants of 

 Europe with Asia, as being the largest territory, I look at as 

 the most " improved," and therefore as being able to with- 

 stand the less-perfected Australian plants ; [whilst] these 

 could not resist the Indian. See how all the productions 

 of New Zealand yield to those of Europe. I dare say you will 

 think all this utter bosh, but I believe it to be solid truth. 



You will, I think, admit that Australian plants, flourishing 

 so in India, is no argument that they could hold their own 

 against the ten thousand natural contingencies of other plants, 

 insects, animals, &c. &c. With respect to South-West Australia 

 and the Cape, I am shut up, and can only d n the whole 

 case. 



. . . You say you should like to see my MS., but you did 

 read and approved of my long Glacial chapter, and I have 

 not yet written my Abstract on the whole of the Geographical 

 Distribution, nor shall I begin it for two or three weeks. 

 But either Abstract or the old MS. I should be delighted to 

 send you, especially the Abstract * chapter. . . . 



I have now written 330 folio pages of my Abstract, and it will 

 require 1 50-200 [more] ; so that it will make a printed volume 

 of 400 pages, and must be printed separately, which I think 

 \vill be better in many respects. The subject really seems to 

 me too large for discussion at any Society, and I believe 

 religion would be brought in by men whom I know. 



I am thinking of a I2mo. volume, like Lyell's fourth or fifth 

 edition of the ' Principles.' . . . 



I have written you a scandalously long note. So now 

 good bye, my dear Hooker, 



Ever yours, 



C. DARWIN. 



* The ' Origin of Species.' 



