Summary

CD has been reflecting on John Lindley’s and C. C. Babington’s comments.

Summary

Robert Brown has cast much doubt on the integrity of the seed-planting experiment.

Summary

Has not yet heard from R. Brown, but John Lindley thinks species will probably turn out to be common ones.

Summary

Seeds sent by Kemp have germinated and been identified by Lindley as Rumex acetosella and an Atriplex which has been sent on to J. S. Henslow.

Summary

J. S. Henslow’s and C. C. Babington’s opinions on WK’s seeds.

Summary

WK’s paper has reached him safely.

Summary

CD is pleased with how good a case WK’s facts have made.

Summary

Thanks CD for kind letter concerning seeds. Believes soil in which they were planted was contaminated.

Summary

CD will sent seeds to specialists for identification.

Summary

Describes growth of plants raised from seeds he found in sand-pit.

Summary

Has sent WK’s paper to the Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Kemp 1844).

Summary

Describes circumstances surrounding discovery of seed in sand-pit. Encloses certificates testifying to the good character of the men involved.

Summary

Approves of the paper CD has drawn up concerning WK’s seed discovery.

Mentions article in Gardeners’ Chronicle.

Summary

J. S. Henslow expresses his doubts about WK’s seeds.

Summary

Describes germination of seeds he discovered. Cites similar story of seeds found in coal-mine.

Gives further description of gravel bank [of River Tweed] and other geological details.

Summary

Describes germination of seeds found in sand-pit and the geological setting of the sand-pit.

Postulates existence of ancient lake along the course of the River Tweed. Notes evidence of glaciation.

Summary

Babington has reared a facsimile [of W. Kemp’s Atriplex] by sowing seeds of A. angustifolia. CD has advised Kemp not to publish since anyone would say it was more probable that the seeds of his specimens were in the soil, than that the ones he found had retained vitality. CD regrets this, as he has no doubt of the antiquity of the seeds.

Summary

Regrets the delay in sending copies of his paper.