From George Cross   9 October 1876

Dear Sir,

Your letter came to hand on Saturday & I am glad to learn that the specimens of sundew referred to in my first letter will be interesting to you.¹ I was strongly tempted to cut the specimens up & try what I could make of them, but I knew they wo^d. receive much more enlightened methods of treatment from you. There is no doubt whatever that they are specimens of Drosera rotundifolia; some of the old roots leaves (as I now may term them) remain attached to the axis. I have not time today to answer all your queries, but they shall be fully answered in a few days   Your request concerning the transmission of the plants will be attended to. They will be watched daily & if they appear to deteriote I will forward them to your present address.² There is every reason to think that they will last until the 23^rd. Oct.

Enclosed are two or three rough drawings by a friend of mine under my superintendence.³

Fig. I is a new leaf from the old crown & you will observe that a bud has developed from the midrib. The new leaf has no tentacles, only hairs.

Figs 2. & 4 are views of two of the plants, minus the old radical leaves most of which have decayed, at least their petioles; for Fig 3 is a still living blade bearing an unfolding bud, the stalk having rotted away. The plants were laid on moist peaty soil in a saucer, grew under the shade of some lycopods & ferns & had the rays of sunlight for an hour or two in the middle of the day, but more of this after. I shall be too late for the post I’m afraid—

faithfully yours | Geo Cross

Cha^s. Darwin Esq