My dear Mr Darwin

The printers of the Annals of Natural History have sent me proofs at once; and I am not a little astonished at seeing my own name in print to a paper on such a subject—which after all is a good deal more interesting than “Tonnage” &c¹   Many thanks to you for all your kindness.²

It is wonderful how every flower one looks at is explained by & throws light on the fertilizing process. The anthers & hollow stigma & spur of Viola: the tails of anthers in Erica: the difference of times of maturity of stamens & pistil in Mallow Achimenes &c &c—and above all the wonderful Co relation of variety of similar structure in flowers nearly related—e.g. in Kidney Bean: Broad Bean: Pea: & Furze—afford endless entertainment and illustration of what is I hope something more than Entertainment.³ It is pleasant to see what interest this has given to my little girl with whom I sometimes pick flowers to pieces— She says with truth that botany—however interesting is too much dead work— This is living.⁴

I cannot help sending you from memory what I dare say you know well—a great favorite of mine among Goethes scattered bits of wisdom—which I think would make a capital motto for your book.⁵

Pray dont answer this— It is only thanks

Sincerely yours | T H Farrer Immer so vor vielen Jahren Eifrig war der Geist bestrebt Zu erforschen, zu erfahren Wie Natur im Schaffen lebt: Und es ist das Einzig Eine, Das sich vielfach offenbart; Klein das Grosse, gross das Kleine, Alles nach der eignen Art: Immer wechselnd, fest sich haltend; Nah und fern, und fern und nah Sich gestaltend, umgestaltend— Zum erstaunen bin ich da!⁶