Thinks WB’s proposal a very good one. CD could suggest two or three subjects for essays with respect to the vegetable kingdom, but they would require a long course of experiments "& unfortunately there is hardly any one in this country who seems inclined to devote himself to experiments".

Thanks for the specimens: the bulbs have been planted.

He has not attended to the colouring matter of plants, but he will ask H. C. Sorby if he would like the specimens.