My dear M^r Farrer

Many thanks. I sh^d. be an ungrateful dog if I were tired of Orchids, as I owe to them much enjoyment. Nevertheless I confess to an intense hatred for the Bee, Orchid for its anomalous perpetual self-fertilisation.—²

I was aware of wild Ducks sometimes breeding in Trees, as do some other species; but was not at all aware that it was due to compulsion.—³

I have not been well of late, & we are going for a week to London for chance of its doing me good.—⁴ A little later in summer, I hope that you will able to run down here for a day or two, & I will write again for the chance—⁵

Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin