Ɛpsilon

To R. D. Fitzgerald   18 August [1876]

Down, Beckenham, Kent

Aug 18th

I received yesterday your most kind present of the 2d pt. of your magnificent work.1 It has just come in time as I shall send to press soon a 2d. Edit. of my Orchid Book,— a copy of which when published shall be sent to you.—2

Ch. Darwin

(P.S. I find these cards cannot be sent to Australia)3

ApcS

Postmark: AU 18 76

1
Fitzgerald had sent volume 1, part 2, of his work, Australian orchids (Fitzgerald 1875–94).
2
Orchids 2d ed. was published in January 1877 (Publishers’ Circular, 1 February 1877, p. 93). CD cited Fitzgerald’s description of Spiranthes australis (a synonym of S. sinensis) in Orchids 2d ed., p. 115. Fitzgerald’s name is on CD’s presentation list for the volume (Appendix III).
3
CD had written his thanks on a postcard, but then enclosed it in an envelope, adding this comment on the front of the postcard. Australia was not then part of the General Postal Union (Universal Postal Union after 1878); foreign postcards could only be sent to member countries (British postal guide, 1 July 1876, p. 12).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-10579,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-10579