Darwin Correspondence Project

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R. Dec 25. 74 My dear Gray

Many thanks for your kind note of Dec 11. I received & read with very great interest your article on the longevity or duration of varieties. This is a subject on which I have long felt interest; tho' I never before, as far as I can remember connected it with inter-crossing. I think you have put the case very well & clearly. I heard lately from Mrs Treat about Utricularia; but she does not go very deep into any subject, & I have very great difficulty in believing some of her statements. I have got the whole of my book in M.S, but I do not know how long it will take me to get it ready for the printers; I hope it will be out late in the spring & I will of course send you a copy.

The death of Mrs Hooker has indeed been a terrible blow. Poor Hooker came here directly after the funeral & bore up manfully. I know I would much sooner die than suffer such a loss

My dear Gray | Yours affectionately | Ch. Darwin