My dear Hooker

Many thanks about the seed; but I daresay the grand gentleman will not send it; for why should he wish to oblige a mere plebeian?¹ It is curious, petrels at St. Kilda apparently being fed by seeds raised in W. Indies.— It sh^d. be noted whether it is a nut ever imported into England.

I am very glad you will read my Geograph. M.S.— it is now copying, & I will (I presume) take 10 days or so in being finished; it shall be sent as soon as done.—

I shall read with very great interest your slips on variation &c &c & will make any sort of criticisms which may occur to me.² Could you get your Printer to send direct to me the duplicate copy, when he sends off your own copy, in order that I may not be hurried; I sh^d. prefer reading them in afternoon, so that if Printer posted to me by general post on Monday night, I might post them to you on Wednesday at 1 oclock & you w^d. get my copy on (I suppose) Wednesday night.— If I were to look over your slips on the Tuesday morning, my Brain is so weak, that the chances are I sh^d. not be able to work on my own subject, as whatever gets into my brain is not easily displaced by another subject.—

I shall be very glad to see your embryological ideas on plants;³ by the sentence which I sent you, you will see that I want only one sentence, if facts are at all as I suppose; & I shall see this from your note, for sending which very many thanks.

I have been so poorly these last three days, that I sometime doubt whether I shall ever get my little volume done, though so nearly completed.

I have not heard anything about the Japan species; but am very glad of it, as it is, as it should be.⁴

Ever yours affec^t | C. Darwin

I am very sorry to hear of “Robinsophobia”.⁵