My dear Sir

I must express my joy and thanks at my extraordinary luck and your kindness about the seeds.—² M^r. Bentham tells me that he is almost sure some of the species are dimorphic;³ I fear, from the dried flowers, that T. Rollii cannot be so.— As the species, I presume, increase by bulbs, I meant by “different groups”, to dig up bulbs from different spots, but it was very obscurely expressed.⁴ As I see you well understand dimorphism, perhaps you know whether either species is dimorphic; if not so, pray give yourself no more trouble on subject.

The Primula is superbly dimorphic.—⁵

I have been experimenting on common oxlip and have quite convinced myself that it is a hybrid from Primrose and Cowslip, which must be viewed as two perfect species. Therefore I presume that the oxlip to which you refer is P. elatior of Jacq.— I intend next Spring to prove whether by test of fertility it is a distinct species.⁶

With cordial thanks for your great kindness, I remain | Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin