Dear Darwin

We had a very small Club dinner yesterday— I called on & took Lyell down; who was very excited & made a statement at the Club, contradicting Carpenters assertion made at last meeting (& read from the minutes)—to the effect that he had proved that there was an undercurrent outwards through the Strait of Gibraltar. He having just heard at the Admiralty that it was a mistake of Carpenters.¹ Carpenter was not there & the thing was only worth noticing from the very excited state Lyell got into: & apparent animus which he displayed—

He told me that a Prof Orton of U.S. had sent him fossil shells from Agassiz’s glacial drift formation 2000 (two thousand) miles up the Amazons, which shells were of 3 extinct Genera, allied to Potamomyæ; & of late Eocene or early Miocene age; & of Estuarial character dating from the time when the coast was 2000 miles inland— & thus disposing of the Glacial hypothesis of the Amazon valley.²

We have seedling plants of two Melastomaceæ, which shall be sent to you.³

If you remember to do so, please let me know when they flower with you. Neither require great heat.

No news of my affair; I have again written to Mr Gladstone, reminding him that it is 5 months since I appealed to him, & have as yet no redress: & that it is 7 weeks since I communicated with him through Mr West; & was promised an answer.⁴

The D. of Argyll⁵ has written to him; expressing his sense of the loss my retirement would be to the Public service

Ever yrs affect | J D Hooker