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Summary
Asks whether GG can provide a few fresh specimens of Goodyera.
Transcription
Down Bromley Kent
Sept 11th
Dear Sir
I hope that you will excuse the great liberty which I take in addressing you & begging a favour.—
Mr H. C. Watson informs me that you are the most likely man to be able to allow & willing to grant this favour.—f2 I have been examining the minute structure of the rostellum of all British Orchids & am in consequence extremely anxious to see Goodyera. Is it in your power to send me a few fresh specimens? I know that it is a mere chance whether this rare plant grows near you. But if it does, & you would pack up a few specimens, in bud & flower, with damp moss round the cut off stems, packed in an old tin cannister & sent by Post (allowing me of course to repay postage) it would be a great favour. I hope in any case you will forgive the liberty, which I take in troubling you & I beg you not answer this, unless you can kindly send me the specimens.—f3
With many apologies | I beg leave to remain | Dear Sir | Your obliged servant | Charles Darwin on account of health of my daughter I shall be compelled to go to sea-side in about 9 or 10 days.
Postmark: Postmark: SP 11 60
Footnotes
- f1
- The recipient is identified by the cover that accompanies the letter. Gordon was the minister of Birnie, near Elgin, Scotland. He was an expert on the flora of Morayshire.
- f2
- Gordon had contributed catalogues of plants from certain parts of Scotland to Hewett Cottrell Watson’s New botanists’ guide (Watson 1835–7).
- f3
- See letter to George Gordon, 17 September [1860].