My dear Dyer

Many thanks for seeds of Trifolium resupinatum which are invaluable to us.—² I enclose seeds of a Cassia, from Fritz Muller, & they are well worth your cultivation; for he says they come from a unique, large & beautiful tree, in the interior, & though looking out for years, he has never seen another specimen. One of the most splendid, largest & rarest butterflies in S. Brazil, he has never seen except near this one tree & he has just discovered that its caterpillars feed on its leaves.—³

I have just been looking at fine young pods beneath the ground of Arachis: I suppose that the pods are not withdrawn when ripe from ground; but sh^d. this be the case kindly inform me; if I do not hear I shall understand that pods ripen & are left permanently beneath the ground.—⁴

If you ever come across heliotropic or apheliotropic aerial roots on a plant, not valuable (but which sh^d. be returned) I sh^d like to observe them.

Bignonia capreolata, with its strongly apheliotropic tendrils, (which I had from Kew) is now interesting me greatly: Veitch tells me it is not on sale in any London nursery, as I applied to him for some additional plants—⁵

So much for business.—

I have received from G. Soc. your lecture & read it with great interest. But it ought not merely to be read; it requires study.— The sole criticism which I have to make is that parts are too much condensed; but good Lord how rare a fault is this.—⁶ You do not quote Saporta, I think; & some of his work on the Tertiary plants w^d. have been useful to you.— In a former note you spoke contemptuously of your lecture: all I can say is that I never heard anyone speak more unjustly & shamefully of another than you have done of yourself!⁷

Ever yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin