My dear Hooker

I did misunderstand you about the Biography.—¹ This morning I wrote my recollections & impression of character of poor dear Henslow about the year 1830.² I liked the job & so have written 4 or 5 pages, now being copied. I do not suppose you will use all,—of course you can chop & change as much as you like. If more than a sentence is used, I sh^d. like to see a proof page, as I never can write decently till I see it in print. Very likely some of my remarks may appear too trifling; but I thought it best to give my thoughts as they arose for you or Jenyns to use as you think fit— You will see that I have exceeded your request; but, as I said, when I began I took pleasure in writing my impression of his admirable character.—

I send this to Kew, thinking that you will be there on Saturday. With your regular work, you will soon get, I hope, into your regular frame of mind & look at poor Henslow’s death as one of inevitable events in this life.—³

Farewell | my dear friend | Your affect | C. Darwin

I believe we shall go to Torquay about 10^th, though I may be prevented by some Business affairs.—⁴

Your Rhod. formosus looks quite gorgeous & illuminates our whole garden.—⁵

A month or two ago you said you would have some discussion about Bates paper & mundane Glacial action:⁶ but you will have forgotten whole subject, unless you chance to have kept my letter; & for long will be too busy to discuss such matters.

We take in L. Review— Many thanks for having sent it.

P.S.⁷ Have you many Saxifrages at Kew? When you are a little quiet, I wish you would make a little observation for me, viz whether any & what of the most hairy species catch minute flies, & whether there is any bending of the hairs all round towards the fly.— In S. umbrosa many flies are caught, but there is no bending & I do not believe the dead flies are any profit to the plant: but I find that the glands at ends of hairs which secrete viscid matter & catch flies are much more permeable to C. of Ammonia, than the exterior walls of the cells in the bark or skin; but far less permeable than the internal walls between cell & cell of bark. You will see at once that this concerns genesis of Drosera, for we have in Saxifrage the habit of catching flies to start from & the viscid glands, & we have a considerable amount of potential power of absorption of C. of Ammonia. I think it worth investigation whether some of the more hairy Saxifrages may not profit by caught flies.⁸ Will you look for me?—⁹