My dear D^r Sanderson

I have returned home & have been very unwell, otherwise I shd have written sooner to tell you that there are, or very soon will be, some good leaves on Dionæa, in case you are still inclined to investigate electric currents in them.¹

It seems to me a point well worth investigating, but you can judge far better than I can. If you determine to make the trial, I think that I can send the plants to you safely carried by hand.

I presume that the apparatus is cumbrous & that it w^d waste more of your time to come here, otherwise I should be delighted to see you at Down.²

I shall not try many more experiments on Drosera or Dionæa, for I have not knowledge enough; but I must tell you that minute drops of Sol. of Carb. of Soda entirely stops the action of the viscid & acid secretion of Drosera on cubes of Albumen; but afterwards, by putting a little weak Hydrochloric acid on the same leaves, the albumen is dissolved, so that the action seems like one of true digestion.³

Believe me | yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin