Dear Darwin

Your grass is Sporobolus elongatus; one of the commonest in the Tropics & subtropics.¹

I have just returned from a delightful day at Oxford with the X Club—Lubbocks, Huxleys, Spottiswoodes Tyndall & Hirst,—² We had a lovely row on the river to Nuneham almost, & a stroll in the Gardens of Magdalen, New College & St John’s—& dined at Baliol—(Spottiswoodes College)—³ Mrs Huxley was very full of her visit to you⁴

Cannot Frank come here & do a little Botany?⁵

I should like to go to Down next month for a day or two & certainly shall if gooseberries are ripe.—but not about the address. no. no. no. I would rather write 10 Lectures, having a subject,⁶ ⁠⟨⁠ $\frac{1}{2}$ page excised⁠⟩⁠ had time to write a word of an “address scientific” & am in statu quo—a cheerful prospect!. I have serious thoughts of making my address a protest against addresses,—I am considered wonderfully reticent on the subject!!!— people will— ⁠⟨⁠ $\frac{1}{2}$ page excised⁠⟩⁠