My dear Hooker

I am sorry to trouble you, but will you tell me how I can best send back the large Box.² Is it not too heavy for Parcels Delivery? Secondly how address it? How to the Library?— You must let me know what the carriage will come to.— I will return all immediately I get your answer, except, perhaps 2^d, & except 3^d & 4^th vols. of Ledebour,³ if you can spare them, but I fear these will be just the Books you are likely most to want. But if you can spare them I will return each vol. as soon as finished.

I sh^d. like also to keep Grisebach.⁴ also Cybele;⁵ this latter, probably, can best be spared. Grisebach I have prepared for classifying, but do not care much about.— So please give me orders, which of the above Books I may keep: Ledebour is by far most useful on account of ranges: I think $\frac{1}{2}$ Ledebour will be done by time Box goes.—

I shall be very glad to do 2 or 3 vols. of Decandolle;⁶ if you will think which w^d. be best:— I sh^d. think, but will be guided entirely by you, one with some one huge nat. Family, & one with several small ones.—

Also I sh^d. especially be thankful for any Flora of Holland with varieties marked.— These can be sent in about 3 weeks time, as by enclosed address.

Thank you much for enquiring after our children: Etty is better but far from strong:⁷ Lenny much better, but has attacks of intermittent pulse.⁸

How busy you appear to be!

Pray give my very kind remembrances to M^rs. Hooker; How long it is since I have seen her: I hope she is thoroughily well.

Yours most truly | C. Darwin

I have sent little notice to Gardeners’ Chron. on fertilisation of Kidney Beans:⁹ I have not yet looked to your case of hybrid kidney Beans.—

You talked of coming here for a Sunday: is there any hope of it? I sh^d. most thoroughily enjoy it & I have a frightful lot of questions to torture you with you unfortunate wretch.—

C^d. you lay your hand on paper in which a Fucus is mentioned not capable of crossing reciprocally?¹⁰ it is not worth a hunt.—

If you cannot come here you must let me pay you a call of an hour or two, & do some heavy questioning.—

I have just looked at my list of queries, but it is not so tremendous, as I had fancied.—