My dear Hooker

I was very glad to get yr letter, & it is really splendid how Nepenthes has been behaving.¹ Poor Drosera & Dionæa cut quite an insignificant figure, as a cube of cartilage of $\frac{1}{10}$ inch is almost beyond their digestive power—² I take rather a malicious pleasure in yr failure about Cephalotus, as a match to mine with Utricularia. My failure is chiefly due to the absorbent glands or hairs being apparently affected by impure water, & the plants themselves dying in quite pure water. But I will have another battle with them.³

We return home next Monday after a month’s visit at Abinger & here (Bassett Southampton) & instead of finding my holiday an intolerable bore, I have enjoyed it much from having been very well.⁴

It is very good news to hear that you will come soon to Down—

I look forward with great interest to reading yr address & Tyndall’s & Lubbocks—⁵ The latter is rather a bold man to select a subject at which he has not worked much; but he is so sharp that I dare say he will do it excellently. We do not know what you refer to about yr little girl being out of bed; & fear that she must have had some illness, but any how it is well over—⁶

Ever yours affectly | Ch. Darwin