My dear Darwin

When I read your letter & came to the part that said you could work an hour a day, my heart leaped—² I am so glad, & like the boys I say ‘Oh my how jolly—’

No one believes Karsten—³ he has been asked to come forward & would not: I heard the subject discussed by Decaisne & Naudin when in Paris,⁴ & by Braun & others at Vienna in 1858 I think   Karsten is a very bad observer— Braun you know I think it was who found a pollen tube in the ovary, but attributed it to some other plant.—⁵ I have often selected a plant of Cœleb. to operate upon, but one & another thing always put it off! I think Brauns paper is in Ann. Sc. Nat. but am not sure.⁶

Your observation on the undoubted offspring of species simulating hybrids is a surprizing fact, & I cannot understand it— have you ever had 2 or more such pseudo-hybrids from one capsule or plant; or produced the same pseudo-hybrid twice.⁷

John Scotts observations were always too much for me— but I do not like to be churlish in my estimate of success in a line of enquiry I have not followed—& could only be guided to a judgment by appearances.⁸ Then too I was suspicious of results obtained by snatches at a time when he should have been doing something else & was always in dread of being caught.⁹

I would let Palestine alone just now— we have shipped an explorer off, & if at all successful more funds will be wanted & then will be the time.¹⁰

Anderson has given Scott a capital app^t. at Calcutta¹¹   I hope he has squared with you.¹²

I am diverted at your quandary about membership of societies—as it was only yesterday that I got a hint that I had not had the civility to acknowledge one that I had forgotten all about— Latterly I have taken to send my titles as they come to Kippist who inserts them in the Linnæan list—¹³ I do not like to parade them in the Royal, & it is not polite to the said Academies to ignore them altogether   The Linnæan list seemed to me a modest way of embalming them & if I had only kept it up, it would have been a means of reference useful to myself. The Berlin, S^t. Petersburgh & Austrian Academys’ are real honors, also the Bavarian.—¹⁴ The French Institute is no longer worth having quoad Correspondence but membership is the greatest continental honor that can be passed on a foreigner.¹⁵

I am surprized at your election to Edinb^h. R. S.¹⁶—the Edinburgh people being as prejudiced partial & unfair as the Parisian.

The Berlin Academy does not send proceedings to Foreign correspondents or members I believe.

By all means sign Haasts paper when drawn up,¹⁷ I shall—but I am in a bit of a fix here   Haast asked me to draw up & sign his paper, being no Geologist I transferred it to Murchison, who being then on Council transferred it to Ramsay, who will do it.—¹⁸ I however felt very strongly that if Haast is F.R.S. before Hector it will be a bad thing.¹⁹ Because 1. Hectors claims are far higher as previously Geologist to American Expedition; 2. Hector is Director Genl. of Geolog. Survey of all N. Z. & high above Haast who is only provincial Geologist to Canterbury. 3. There is an ugly attack made on Haast in the Colony, for appropriating some other mans facts & theories bodily.²⁰ Considering all these facts, & as a friend to both parties, & knowing that modesty alone kept Hector from putting his name forward—I wrote consulted confidentially Ramsay & Lyell,²¹ & both agreeing, I wrote to Hector the other day saying that I would have him proposed, though there will not be time to get his answer or approval.— I was also influenced by the fear that Haast was not elected (& I hear he would not be) the first year & Hector comes forward the next with Haasts name still up, the collision would be awkward   Hector I think would get in at once—²² Haast I think not, there being a more deserving Geologist on the list; but one not superior to Hector.

I am really extremely well though still a little stiff in the joints—²³ I have taken to Gardening i.e. laying out walks lawns shrubberies & planting trees &c, with enthusiasm²⁴

I shall look to go down to Bromley at an early Sunday— Frances cannot till the bairns go back to school.²⁵

Ever Yrs affec | J D Hooker

I send a quip to amuse the boys.²⁶

I do not think I quite understand the Hybrid affair.²⁷