My dear Dyer

It was very good of you to write so long & interesting a letter, & you must have enjoyed a holiday from your never ending & always beginning labours.² I have always watched with interest the Phylloxera & Vine case.³ Good Lord what would happen if some such pest attacked Wheat! With respect to Dischidia, Hooker suggested my son Frank, so I mentioned it to him (now in N. Wales & catching almost daily Salmon from 10 to 15 lb !!!) & he seemed to like the idea much.⁴ If he has not time, I will remember with thankfulness your suggestion. I read with interest M^r Gardiner’s paper on water-pores.⁵ Frank has become under De Bary a good hand at cutting sections & all natural science seems now to depend on section-cutting.⁶ I am practising at this work, with very moderate success, & look at a man who can cut a really good section, as the greatest of human beings. N.B. I cut a pretty good one this morning, & did not I silently triumph?—

I am very much obliged for your offer of plants; but Hooker sent me all that I want at present. I am rather in despair about my present work & change my views every day. The phenomenon is a very odd one, but whether I shall make anything of it, I am very doubtful.—⁷ I have a deal of work for Frank, whenever he has caught all the confounded salmons in the river.—

I have signed with very great pleasure M^r Trimen’s certificate & he certainly well deserves to be elected.⁸

Pray remember me very kindly to M^rs Dyer & believe me

Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

My worm-book has been received with almost laugable enthusiasm & 3500 copies have been sold!!!!!⁹