My dear Hooker

Thanks for curious account of Asa Gray. One likes a man who bubbles up unreasonably, if he afterwards repents. Not knowing anything of this I feared that you must have repeated something strong from my note. I thank you much for your caution, for I sh^d have been very sorry to have hurt so good a man, who has been so very kind to me.¹

Fortunately I have already despatched just such a letter as I sh^d. have written had I known of his previous warmth. I said that I did not presume to put myself in competition with Dana; but giving my reasons firmly, why I could not attach much weight to his arguments. Without the subsequent warm period can be proved true, it injuriously complicates the subject.—²

My object in writing now is to say that I have clearest remembrance of A. de C. stating in his Book that he thought it probable that a great many reputed species of plants are not true species.³ I think it related to insular plants; but as this did not much concern me I fear I have not marked passage & know not where to find it. I had A. de C. & Wollaston in my mind, when I wrote passage in my final chapter on this subject.—⁴ I very seldom dare trust my memory, but in this instance I dare.—

Ever yours | C. Darwin

Have you seen the splendid Essay & Notice of my Book in the Times?⁵ I cannot avoid strong suspicion that it is by Huxley; but I never heard that he wrote in Times. It will do grand service, especially as so nobly soaring above religious prejudices.—

I shall grow as arrogant as Whewell, perhaps even as Owen!