Dear Darwin

Only this evening I received your reminder of the 5^th.² addressed to College—³ But in truth it was neither forgetfulness nor neglect which prevented my sending you an answer to the Mem. Joseph Hooker gave me in London⁴— which mem. I have kept ever since in my pocketbook—but, since my return from England I have been shut up in the house—by order of my physician—& have been forbidden going to College— Now I cant give you the particulars you require till I can consult the specimens in the Herb.—& I must wait for a fine day to be allowed to do this, even in a closed carriage. All I can promise therefore is to send you the particulars the very first day that I am permitted to go to town. I hope it may be in a few days— I assure you I shall not miss the first opportunity.⁵

I take it the climbing habit of these Cape plants has come on them through being grown under disadvantages of climate, in a warm greenhouse. Had they been grown under the dry, hot air of Algeria, I have no doubt they would have been like their S.A. brethren.— Almost all Cape shrubs (Heaths however less than others) are caricatured by the way they are grown here. I think I saw at Kew, Melianthus Major climbing up a pillar— He would never have done so under the free air at home.⁶

Hoping to write you in a few days, I am | Yours very truly | W. H. Harvey.