162 THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859, 



fossil mastodon's or elephant's tooth (I forget which) has been 

 found there, which would be a grand fact. I was aware that 

 Celebes was very peculiar ; but the relation to Africa is quite 

 new to me, and marvellous, and almost passes belief. It is as. 

 anomalous as the relation of plants in S.W. Australia to the 

 Cape of Good Hope. I differ wholly from you on the colonisa- 

 tion of oceanic islands, but you will have every one else 

 on your side. I quite agree with respect to all islands not 

 situated far in the ocean. I quite agree on the little occa- 

 sional intermigration between lands [islands?] when once 

 pretty well stocked with inhabitants, but think this does not 

 apply to rising and ill-stocked islands. Are you aware that 

 annually birds are blown to Madeira, the Azores (and to> 

 Bermuda from America) ? I wish I had given a fuller abstract 

 of my reasons for not believing in Forbes's great continental 

 extensions ; but it is too late, for I will alter nothing I am 

 worn out, and must have rest. Owen, I do not doubt, will 

 bitterly oppose us. ... Hooker is publishing a grand In- 

 troduction to the Flora of Australia, and goes the whole 

 length. I have seen proofs of about half. With every 

 good wish. 



Believe me, yours very sincerely, 



C. DARWIN, 



C. Darwin to J. D. Hooker. 



Down, Sept. ist [1859]. 



... I am not surprised at your finding your Introduction 

 very difficult. But do not grudge the labour, and do not say 

 you "have burnt your fingers," and are "deep in the mud"; 

 for I feel sure that the result will be well worth the labour. 

 Unless I am a fool, I must be a judge to some extent of the 

 value of such general essays, and I am fully convinced that 

 yours are the most valuable ever published. 



I have corrected all but the last two chapters of my book r 

 and hope to have done revises and all in about three weeks, 



