Darwin Correspondence Project

Royal Gardens Kew

21. July 1864

My dear Sir

Your enquiry about Nepenthes is a rather difficult one,—especy. that with examinations, close work at Herbarium, & prospect of going away next week,—I have had little opportuny. of making observations in the mornings,—and then the Nepenthes are so knocked about by syringing that obs. upon the way in wh. they lay hold are not easily made except by intelligent gardener almost constantly on the spot. It would appear as tho' the leaves wh. were most efficient as claspers were not pitcher-bearers,—at the same time the pitcher-bearers curl below the pitcher & are thus competent to moor themselves.—

+ thus.

The yg. leaves are often (usually?) more or less hooked as on opposite page copied from Korthals excellent figures. I must bear the matter in mind & communicate again with you about Nepenthes tho' probably not before I return from So. France where I intend to go for 3 or 4 weeks.

Yours very sincerely | Dl. Oliver