My Dear Darwin

I wish to draw your attention to a fact that has recently developed itself to me

There are in view to be observed on the Bank of the Thames near Kew two most distinct forms of the Common Wild Chervil Anthriscus Sylvestris & I think you will very likely see the same near Down   one is a larger bushy succulent pale green plant with thick stems with a few very large ridges on it, and rather larger flowers—

The other is a rigid hard slender comparatively slightly branched plant with thin stems with a number of small equal ridges a dark foliage with the leaves far apart & small flowers   The Stems & leaves are purpurea but sometimes rarely dark green   They grow on the same foot of soil   The branches of the two varieties being often intermixed—so that it cannot arise from difference of soil or situation¹

I have observed a some what similar variety in the Wild Wood anemones under the same circumstance that is grown side by side the one green with white flower the other with a dark foliage & purple flowers, & having narrower petals

Now my dear friend there is a Theme for you   do consider why & how two forms of the same species should exist & grow abundantly (I could send you a barrow load of each) side by side on the same Soil & under the same circumstances

I think I have observed the same thing among other common Plants as the Ground Ivy & the Purple dead Nettle Lamium purpureum but I am not so sure of their being found exactly under the same circumstance as these are but will examine.

Ever yours sincerely | though not as convert² | J. E Gray

I cannot find that even the greatest of Species splitters has noticed this form of Anthriscus any more that they had noticed anemone nemerosa purpurea ³