From J. D. Hooker to G. H. Darwin 14 October 1879

Dear George

Please look at the marked passages at p. 7 of Crooke’s paper herewith sent.

If words mean any thing, it is clear to me that Radiant Matter & Residual gas are two things

Again, he talks of ""no Residual Gas being left,"" as if that were possible. The only way I can conceive of having no residual gas in the tube, is by never putting any in it!

I hope you will ""respond humorously"" to this ""molecular bombardment"" of mine. [3 words illeg] can understand the man, & Spottiswoode confessed himself dead beat!— It was clearly quite time that I left the R.S. chair!

A thousand good wishes to Horace [illeg] J D Hooker