Dear Darwin

I have sent by post to day sprigs of some 20 species of acacia with plane of leaf radial to length of twig & 15 or so eucalypti of sorts.¹ (For heaven’s sake do not go to a Nursery for such things as these, I can give you any quantity either twigs or pot-plants.) Also I send some sprays of Acacia Farnesiana— it is the only pinnate leaved specimen of the lot.— The pinnæ are very small

about so big—

We are still busy at Nepenthes— Dyer making excellent drawings & working like a horse at it.— We have independently found the spiral vessells going to the glands & ending in a bunch under them—²

We began on Virgin pitchers before your letter arrived, or at least had concluded to do so.³ The action is the same, 2 hours or so after the physicking with Carb. Am.⁴ solution the cell-contents show pellets of protoplasm; but the motion cannot be seen— & the whole investigation is fearfully difficult compared with Drosera.

The results of white of egg are not yet pronounced. The experiment is progressing.

What you say of the glands being secreting organs is suggestive— & may account for the pouches in which they lie pointing downwards— but I suppose they must be both digestive & secretive— as I understand Drosera hairs to be. The fluid of the Virgin pitcher is very slightly acid. I find the cells of the glands of old pitchers (full of insects) with very aggregated contents.

I have some Drosophyllum seeds, so please tell me what experiment you want made.⁵

When you come to town will you let me take you to call on Lord Russell in Richmond Park— he & Lady R. are most anxious to see you & are such nice people— Of course I have told them that it is out of the question.—⁶

When Nepenthes is as much done as you want I will turn to Cephalotus & Sarracenia.⁷

We can give you Lathyrus Nissolia seeds⁸

I fear that we shall not get Acacia & Mimosa to strike at this season; but why not have a big plant of former   Frank took dimensions of pot.⁹ Better still come to Kew when in London & select.

Ever yours affec | J D Hooker