Dear Darwin

Accompanying are a few wretched scraps for Ehrenberg, which I fear will not prove as productive as the “Hallowed Mud” of the Antarctic.¹ What does he want with them?

It was so late today before I could find the bundle of Ascension Isld things that I had not daylight to examine all the Grasses properly. That is of less consequence as only one is truly indigenous, & that correctly named. I have solitary specimens of 2 more grasses undoubtedly introduced, & a 3^d the Polypogon tenue,² is also probably a depauperated state of an introduced plant my only specimen is however glued down & I had but one specimen. The only truly indigenous flowering plants of the Island are

Monocot.

x Aristida Ascensionis

Mariscus umbellatus. [illeg].

x — appendiculatus

? Polypogon tenue

Cyperus Haspan

Dicot.

x Euphorbia origanoides

x Hedyotis Adscensionis³

Of these, 4 I consider peculiar & one (not well examined) doubtfully so. I have about 30 or 40 other flowering plants but all certainly introduced, I can give him any if he wants them. I hope they will arrive in time, my things have got into dreadful confusi⁠⟨⁠on⁠⟩⁠ during my prolonged absences from home.

On Wednesday I commence my new