My dear Sir,

Yesterday I went to the Pingicula Grandiflora bog. I could not go there & to the Utricularia on the same day & as I am rather tired today I think it better to send what I have off today & leave the Utricularia to my next walk. I send, however, a morsel of the latter that I had in a basin merely to show its condition.¹

Yesterday I spent a good part of the Day in examining the Pingicula in situ—laying down on the ground so as to enable to use a pocket-magnifying glass without disturbing the plant.

I suppose I must have examined 50 specimens carefully—taking my observations on 3 or 4 plants of one group & then going to another 20, 30 or 50 yards off. The leaves were in excellent condition all with insects in various conditions some in fragments—legs, wings &c. Others dead— some just alive outhers just caught

I noted those on one plant—not too far gone for identification— I cannot tell the exact number as I left the notes at home (I am now writing at the Library). Knats dead— Several flies in various conditions & sizes (Diptera).² A small species of himipterous Insect (Cicada?)³ both perfect & Larva clear & alive: One I touched on the back with a piece of grass & it made an attempt to jump being retained however by threads as it were of sticky substance   One small moth dead. A small Ichneumon fly— Acari numerous—⁴ I counted on one leaf 9 dead besides a few still alive— I touched some gently with the grass but they were unable to move away— All the above on one plant—but the result was the same on others except the Insects varied. I noticed here & there a very minute Beetle & also one small Rove-beetle.⁵ Still some insects seem to touch it with impunity   In a piece of Rag at top of box—I send a leaf with the larva of a small Moth which eats the cellular tissue of the leaf & finally enters into the pupa state between the two layers of cuticle.⁶

I did not notice any thing particular with regard to fragments of plants.

So also of seeds— I sometimes found their own seeds on the leaf, a specimen of which I enclose in this letter, and also here & there fruit of Carex pulicaris⁷ but I could see no alteration when compared with ripe seed I gathered.

I tried to learn something about the P. lusitanica—but it is very difficult to observe them— the leaves are usually entirely concealed by other plants so that the Pingicula is only detected by the flowers⁸

I am glad my last sending revived so as to enable you to study their action.⁹

I need hardly say that a Copy of your intended work will be acceptable but believe me—I do not require one for any help I can render you.¹⁰ The mere fact of helping you, however little that may be, will afford to me an ample reward.

I remain My dear Sir | Yours truly | John Ralfs

Charles Darwin Esq