My dear Sir

Utricularia arrived in capital state, as my son tells me who took charge of the specimens & put them in water.— I was so unwell I could not leave the house.² He worked all day at the bladders, & I can see that it will be most difficult to make out about the function of parts. But things may get brighter, for with all your great experience on Desmids under the microscope you must know well that one must have one’s brain clear & hand steady to do anything on difficult structures.³

With cordial thanks | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin

I shall be able to do nothing, I fear, today—