n as Catasetum tridentatum, Monacanthus viridis, and Myanthus
barbatus. For further details see Darwin, "Linn. Soc. Journ." VI., 1862,
page 151, and "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 196.) It
is pretty clear to me that two or three forms are confounded under this
name. Observe how curiously nearly perfect the pollen of the female is,
according to Cruger,--certainly more perfect than the pollen from the
Guyana species described by me. I was right in the manner in which the
pollen adheres to the hairy back of the humble-bee, and hence the
force of the ejection of the pollina. (663/3. This view was given in
"Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition I., 1862, page 230.) I am still more
pleased that I was right about insects gnawing the fleshy labellum.
This is important, as it explains all the astounding projections on the
labellum of Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, etc.

Excuse all my boasting. It is the best medicine for my stomach. Tell me
whether you mean to take up orchids, as Hooker said you were thinking of
doing. Do you know Coryanthes, with its wonderful basket of water? See
what Cruger says about it. It beats everything in orchids. (663/4. For
Coryanthes see "Fertilisation of Orchids," Edition II., page 173.)

LETTER 664. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down [September 13th, 1864].

Thanks for your note of the 5th. You think much and greatly too much
of me and my doings; but this is pleasant, for you have represented for
many years the whole great public to me.

I have read with interest Bentham's address on hybridism. I am glad
that he is cautious about Naudin's view, for I cannot think that it will
hold. (664/1. C. Naudin's "Nouvelles Recherches sur l'Hydridite dans les
Vegetaux." The complete paper, with coloured plates, was presented to
the Academy in 1861, and published in full in the "Nouvelles Archives
de Museum d'Hist. Nat." Volume I., 1865, page 25. The second part only
appeared in the "Ann. Sci. Nat." XIX., 1863. Mr. Bentham's address
dealing with hybridism is in "Proc. Linn. Soc." VIII., 1864, page ix.
A review of Naudin is given in the "Natural History Review," 1864,
page 50. Naudin's paper is of much interest, as containing a mechanical
theory of reproduction of the same general character as that of
pangenesis. In the "Variation of Animals and Plants," Edition II.,
Volume II., page 395, Darwin states that in his treatment of hybridism
in terms of gemmules he is practically following Naudin's treatment of
the same