Darwin Correspondence Project

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.

Aug. 15th. 78

My dear Gray.

Dr. Hugo de Vries, who has done such excellent work on climbing plants & at my suggestion wishes to make some observations on the tendrils of Echinocystis lobata (I think this is the right name, but I am writing away from home) of which you formerly sent me seeds.— He has tried everywhere to get seeds & I have offered to write to you.— If you can I beg you to send him seeds addressed to

Prof. Hugo de Vries Amsterdam

He is Prof. of Botany there.

I see that we are both elected Com: Members of the Institut. It is rather a good joke that I shd be elected in the Botanical section, as the extent of my knowledge is little more than that a daisy is a compositous plant & a pea a leguminous one.—

Ever yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

I am very anxious for De Vries to test one of my observations on Echinocystis.—