Dear Sir

I have thought you would like to see copy enclosed of letter by Prof. Harvey giving names of your two orchids Pl. V. & VI, which were unnamed.—² Now that I hear that in Satyrium the nectaries belong to the true Labellum; the relation of the parts is to me very puzzling: discs, pollen-masses & stigmatic surface seem all on the wrong side.—³ If you pursue the subject, I hope you will observe whether there is any relation (as in English Orchids) between the rapidity of the setting of the viscid matter & nectar being stored ready for suction or confined in cellular tissue.—⁴

I was at Kew 2 or 3 days ago & was telling D^r. Hooker & M^r H. Gower of your work;⁵ they expressed a strong wish to try whether they could not cultivate some of your wonderful forms; & tempted me by saying that if they could flower them, I sh^d have plants to examine.— I said I would mention the subject to you; but that of course I doubted whether you had time & inclination to get them dug up.— They said the roots might be packed in almost dry peaty soil or charcoal in mass, & sent to “Royal Gardens Kew, London”, marking what they were, i.e. terrestrial orchids from the Cape.— They ought to be dug up, when completely dormant after seeding over.— It certainly would be a treat to see a blooming Satyrium, or Disperis & that odd unnamed form!⁶ They said the safest way of all, but more troublesome, to send them, would be to plant them in pots in a box, with a little glazed windows on two sides under charge of some passenger. The heat starting them would be the great risk. But it is not at all likely you could spare time from your own pursuits.⁷

Pray believe me, my dear Sir | Yours sincerely & obliged | Ch. Darwin

If you come across Bonatea pray study it—it seems most extraordinary in description.—⁸