My dear Hooker

Lyell has lent me Westminster Review telling me to forward it to you, which I will do on Monday.²

I sent off few days ago Forbe’s sheets.—³

I said in former letter that the passage in Flora Antarctica about Tristan d’Acunha nearly sufficed for me;⁴ but on further reflexion I find that it would be very important for me to know, whether there is as much identity of species, or more representative species as compared with Kerguelen Land, in relation both to Fuegia.— I am aware that it is very unlikely that you know the Flora in such detail, for if you had, you would probably have inserted it some of your Books; but I ask for chance.—

Have you alive at Kew, Montia fontana, Limosella aquatica & Callitriche verna; if so, do you not think it would be well worth trying whether the seed-pods or heads would float in salt-water & whether they would survive. I would gladly try.—⁵ What a wonderful case of distribution these 3 plants are in your Antarctic isl^ds.!— It is a great bore that we have no water plants on the Chalk.— You speak in your Himalaya Journal of the number of plants which you found within arms reach.⁶ I suppose you did not make list & if you did it would probably be buried in mass of papers; otherwise I sh^d. have liked to have looked at it, to see whether many species of same genera & genera of same Family.—

I have let 34 sq^e feet of old Lawn grow up, & 18 plants in 17 genera have flowered during this summer. Exactly same numbers as in whole Keeling islands, though so many miles in length!—

Ever your’s | C. Darwin