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Summary
CD sends thanks for many valuable dried specimens [of orchids]. Has been promised Catasetum and some Dendrobium by Mr Rucker; has written also to Lady Dorothy [Nevill].
Transcription
Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.
Nov. 16th
My dear Lindley
I thank you warmly for your two notes & the store of specimens received this morning.f2
I am ashamed that you have sent so many valuable specimens; for it is a chance whether I can make out for my purpose anything from dried specimens.— But I shall be very glad to have a try, & so again thank you cordially.— I have had a most obliging note from Mr Rucker (to whom I used your name) with promise of Catasetum & some Dendrobium.—f3 I have written also to Lady Dorothy.f4
I know how many irons you have in the fire & will not be unreasonable & I hope give no more trouble.
Yours very truly obliged | Charles Darwin
Footnotes
- f1
- The year is given by the relationship to the letter to John Lindley, 1 November [1861]. See also n. 4, below.
- f2
- Lindley’s letters have not been found. They were written in response to the letter to John Lindley, 1 November [1861].
- f3
- Sigismund Rucker, who lived in West Hill, Wandsworth, is acknowledged in Orchids, p. 158 n., for having provided CD with specimens of these foreign orchids.
- f4
- Lindley had suggested that CD write to Dorothy Fanny Nevill (see letter to D. F. Nevill, 12 November [1861]).