My dear Father,

Here is the Extract Athenæum May 11 p. 606 “A short paper was read by M^r R. I. Lynch “on the seed structure and germination of a species of Pachira”— The seeds were received at Kew July 1877, & labelled the “Provision Tree”. Varying in size, they consist chiefly of one fleshy lobed Cotyledon, the second being exceedingly diminutive and functionless. Germination occurs in a fortnight after sowing, and, in one instance the larger persistent Cotyledon did not appear to be exhausted for nearly 6 months²

Your affect son | W.E.D