My dear Hooker

Very many thanks for your note.— with the opinions of yourself, Sir William & Bentham against D^r. D. I shall do nothing more.² I have written to him to say that under present circumstances &c I strongly advise him not to apply to Royal Soc.^y for aid, & that will be the end of the affair I hope.— It is a thousand pities that the man is what you say.—

I was quite knocked up on Thursday at R. Soc^y. but all that I heard was most interesting. I have become so curious on subject, that I have written to Huxley to beg for a little light on two points.—³ I really think that they will beat Forbes.— I sh^d. like to have talked over subject with you.—

Ever yours | C. Darwin

I have written to Sharpey & marking letter “Private” have told him what you say of D^r. D. & told him that I shall not stir in matter.⁴

P.S. I find Fish will greedily eat seeds of aquatic grasses, & that millet seed put into Fish & given to Stork & then voided will germinate.⁵

So this is the nursery rhyme of this is the stick that beat the pig &c &c—⁶

D^r. D. say Cameroons is accessible.—