My Dear Father,

I managed to get over on Sunday to the Lythrum, but the floods prevented me examining the clumps as to whether I could distinguish the MS. from the LS. & S.S. Lythrum— But it must be all rubbish. I managed to measure the distance of the first L.S. from other plants. though I think some plants must have been broken down or cut near it.¹

One side there was a LP. Lythrum, and a very shabby one, distant 14 y^ds. And on the same side of it there was a Lythrum, but I could not distinguish what it was, (as the pods were all gone) distant 10 yd^s. And on the other side there was a middle S. Lythrum distant 9. y^ds.

I have not seen M^r Atherley yet; he has written to ask me to go over and see him tomorrow, I suppose I shall see poor M^rs Atherley too.²

I should not be surprised if he means to go away for some long time

Your affect son | W E Darwin