Ɛpsilon

To G. H. Darwin   13 [July 1878]1

Down, | Beckenham, Kent. | Railway Station | Orpington. S.E.R.

13th

My dear George.

I am greatly obliged for the drawings— some will do very well, but a few little alterations are requisite; which I can explain when at home.2 I will keep some specimens in spirits— I suspect one part has greatly swollen from the action of water & spirits; but the next fresh specimens which I get I will compare carefully with your drawings.—

From want of time I do not think I shall write my paper on Thalia till the autumn, so there is no hurry— I had intended writing it at once.

I very sorry to have cost you so many hours work.3

Your affect. Father | C. Darwin

I am very tired so no more.—

1
The month and year are established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1878.
2
CD had asked George to make drawings of specimens of Thalia dealbata (powdery alligator-flag) that had been kept in spirits (see letter to G. H. Darwin, 10 [July 1878], and letter from G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1878). There are annotations by CD on the drawings made by George; see enclosure to letter from G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1878.
3
Making six drawings had taken George three to four hours (letter from G. H. Darwin, 12 July 1878).

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

2.2 writing] over del ‘doing’

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-11603,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-11603