promulgated
the theory of Natural Selection in a passage read before the Zoological
Society in February, 1850, ("Trans." Volume IV., page 15).'" The first
of the two passages quoted by Owen from the fourth edition of the
"Origin" runs: "Yet he [Prof. Owen] at the same time admits that Natural
Selection MAY [our italics] have done something towards this end." In
the sixth edition of the "Origin," page xviii., Darwin, after referring
to a correspondence in the "London Review" between the Editor of that
Journal and Owen, goes on: "It appeared manifest to the editor, as well
as to myself, that Prof. Owen claimed to have promulgated the theory of
Natural Selection before I had done so;...but as far as it is possible
to understand certain recently published passages (Ibid. ["Anat. of
Vert."], Volume III., page 798), I have either partly or wholly again
fallen into error. It is consolatory to me that others find Prof. Owen's
controversial writings as difficult to understand and to reconcile with
each other, as I do. As far as the mere enunciation of the principle
of Natural Selection is concerned, it is quite immaterial whether or
no Prof. Owen preceded me, for both of us, as shown in this historical
sketch, were long ago preceded by Dr. Wells and Mr. Matthews.")

LETTER 698. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, December 29th, 1868.

Your letter is quite invaluable, for Nageli's essay (698/1. See
preceding Letter.) is so clever that it will, and indeed I know it has
produced a great effect; so that I shall devote three or four pages
to an answer. I have been particularly struck by your statements about
erect and suspended ovules. You have given me heart, and I will fight my
battle better than I should otherwise have done. I think I cannot resist
throwing the contrivances in orchids into his teeth. You say nothing
about the flowers of the rue. (698/2. For Ruta see "Origin," Edition
V., page 154.) Ask your colleagues whether they know anything about the
structure of the flower and ovarium in the uppermost flower. But don't
answer on purpose.

I have gone through my long Index of "Gardeners' Chronicle," which was
made solely for my own use, and am greatly disappointed to find, as I
fear, hardly anything which will be of use to you. (698/3. For Hooker's
projected biological book, see Letter 696.) I send such as I have for
the chance of their being of use.

LETTER 699. TO J.D. HOOKER. Down, January 16th [1869].

Your two notes and remar