My dear Hooker

I not only have not the Gazania, but was innocent of knowing there was an aquatic species.—¹ I have no evidence about Lyell, except appearance & sound of voice. M^rs. Lyell, however, said his mouth was decidedly drawn. to one side at first, & I could see that Lady L. became very anxious about him, when he became excited in talking geology with me, from which I inferred that medical men had cautioned her.—² I heard from Huxley this morning & I find that he takes same view of Lyell with me.—³ I c^d. see no difference in his mind, but he says he cannot stand labour of composition.

Thanks for your news about yourself, & especially for your promise to come here when you can.—⁴ I have just been quoting your moraines on the Atlas in a new Edit. of that confounded old Origin, which I am preparing, & in which I shall try & answer chief points in Mivart.⁵ This has stopped my Expression Essay. By the way I suppose none of your party observed anything for me on this Head?⁶

Also did you by any chance notice whether in Ophrys apifera in N. Africa the pollen-masses fall on the stigma, as with us?—⁷

We have house full of visitors &, I have no more time,⁸ so farewell | C. Darwin