My Dear Father

I have read your Linum paper and was very much interested in it, it seems more dimorphic than primula, at all events there are more complicated adaptations to produce it; what an odd thing it is the homomorphic pollen tubes penetrating in one case and not in the other, it looks as if the ones that did not penetrate had at last found out it was no use doing so, and the others had not had experience enough yet.²

I just tell you to make your mouth water that I have found another case of dimorphism as perfect and regular as primula, I shall not tell you any more about it till I can tell you about the proportion and send you the plant, & at the same time feel up to take an affidavit that I am not mistaken, I only tell you now just to whet your appetite.³

Poor M^rs. Ashworth’s death was a most sudden one, Mr Keele told me he never saw such a case, on Friday afternoon the fever had left her, and she was going on perfectly well, and they were all easy about her, so that they had not sent for her father and Mother at all; but at 8 o’clock a sudden change came on of congestion and she died at 4 perfectly in her senses & calm without any suffering, and she spoke out a little will which M^r Keele took down and then she signed her name or made a mark and died. I do’nt know when I can get away, as they are moving at once from Heathfield and in a great state of confusion.⁴

And did you ever hear of such a piece of ill luck on coming back from the funeral yesterday they found Evelyn⁵ laid up with hooping cough and measles.

Your affect son | W. E. Darwin