My dear Sir

In case you visit Epipactis, will you make one other trifling observation for me.— Though the distal end of labellum was nearly closed in flower sent me, perhaps it may be fully open in sunshine; & if so would you try whether irritation with stalk of grass on the jointed part or on the odd coupled orange central part causes any movement slow or quick. I know it is ten thousand to one against any such movement; but as the labellum in some orchids is irritable, it w^d. be worth trial. It is possible that the labellum may be irritable as well as elastic.—²

The only chance of seeing insects at work, would be the first bright day after this miserable weather or a bright gleam of few hours in middle of one of our gloomy days.—³

I see that you have lately published on the Flora of the I. of Wight.—⁴

My dear Sir | Yours truly obliged | Charles Darwin