From D. F. Nevill 2 July [1875]¹

45, Charles Street

How seldom things in this World dove tail in nicely— A wet day and the receipt of your interesting book was, however, all that I could wish² I have been reading the Drosera’s with the greatest attention and am going thoroughly to digest every part—³ I did so enjoy my afternoon passed with you and M^rs Darwin and if it were not too much to ask—later on—if it were possible I should so like to come down again⁴ I leave London about the 6^th of August

Y^s most obliged | D Nevill

2^d July

Footnotes

1

The year is established by the reference to Insectivorous plants (see n. 2, below).

2

Insectivorous plants was published on 2 July 1875 (CD’s ‘Journal’ (Appendix II)). Nevill’s name is on the presentation list for the book (see Appendix IV).

3

The first twelve chapters of Insectivorous plants focused on Drosera (sundew); the plant’s digestive powers were discussed on pp. 85–135. Nevill had sent CD specimens of D. montana and other plants (see Correspondence vol. 22, letter to D. F. Nevill, 7 September 1874, and Insectivorous plants, pp. 281–2 and 431).

4

Nevill visited the Darwins at Down House on 4 May 1875 (Emma Darwin’s diary (DAR 242)).

Bibliography

Correspondence: The correspondence of Charles Darwin. Edited by Frederick Burkhardt et al. 29 vols to date. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985–.

Insectivorous plants. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1875.