My dear Dyer

You have been exceedingly kind as on so many other occasions.— The seeds of the Delphinium are sown, & I have written to Asa Gray for the chance of his having seeds of the 2 Californian species.¹

It is a ridiculous fact, but I have forgotten why I wanted much seeds of Ipomœa nil, which you have got from India; but as I go over my M.S. for the second time (& this I have just begun to do) my memory will surely return.²

And now I want to beg a favour which cannot cause you much trouble, viz to name the genus & if possible the species of enclosed cryptogamic plant, which entirely coated the soil in old pots standing in damp & shady place.— I have always called it a Marchantia,³ but Heaven knows whether this is right.—

Secondly what ought I to call the little discs? May I call them fronds?

Lastly, I suppose that the little greenish bodies in the open saucers are spores? I have been observing the little discs for many days, & they circumnutate just like any of the higher plants, but on a very small scale, so that the movement has to be much magnified.

I was very glad to hear in your previous note a flourishing account of all your family.⁴

Ever sincerely yours | Ch. Darwin

P.S | The one plant which I have belonging to Kew is Anthurium violaceum; & I cannot remember whether this was a precious one worth returning.⁵