on this head. (763/2. See "Power of Movement," page 2. De
Vries' work is published in the "Bot. Zeitung," 1879, page 830.)

LETTER 764. TO J.D. HOOKER. Glenrhydding House, Patterdale, Penrith,
June 15th, 1881.

It was real pleasure to me to see once again your well-known handwriting
on the outside of your note. I do not know how long you have returned
from Italy, but I am very sorry that you are so bothered already with
work and visits. I cannot but think that you are too kind and civil
to visitors, and too conscientious about your official work. But a man
cannot cure his virtues, any more than his vices, after early youth;
so you must bear your burthen. It is, however, a great misfortune for
science that you have so very little spare time for the "Genera." I can
well believe what an awful job the palms must be. Even their size must
be very inconvenient. You and Bentham must hate the monocotyledons, for
what work the Orchideae must have been, and Gramineae and Cyperaceae
will be. I am rather despondent about myself, and my troubles are of an
exactly opposite nature to yours, for idleness is downright misery to
me, as I find here, as I cannot forget my discomfort for an hour. I have
not the heart or strength at my age to begin any investigation lasting
years, which is the only thing which I enjoy; and I have no little jobs
which I can do. So I must look forward to Down graveyard as the sweetest
place on earth. This place is magnificently beautiful, and I enjoy the
scenery, though weary of it; and the weather has been very cold and
almost always hazy.

I am so glad that your tour has answered for Lady Hooker. We return home
on the first week of July, and should be truly glad to aid Lady Hooker
in any possible manner which she will suggest.

I have written to my gardener to send you plants of Oxalis corniculata
(and seeds if possible). I should think so common a weed was never asked
for before,--and what a poor return for the hundreds of plants which I
have received from Kew! I hope that I have not bothered you by writing
so long a note, and I did not intend to do so.

If Asa Gray has returned with you, please give him my kindest
remembrances.

LETTER 765. TO J.D. HOOKER. October 22nd, 1881.

I am investigating the action of carbonate of ammonia on chlorophyll,
which makes me want the plants in my list. (765/1. "The Action of
Carbonate of Ammonia on Chlorophyll Bodies." "Linn. Soc. Journ." XIX.,
page 262, 1882.