From H. C. Watson   3 January 1858

My dear Sir

It seems hardly worth while to trouble you with the remark drawn forth by your own,—that I do not recollect any definite opinion or statement, as a general view or real generalisation, that both varieties are more restricted in their areas,or have different areas from their (presumed) type species.—¹ A running notion seems to pervade botanical works to this effect. For instance, a botanist will argue that two forms are two distinct species, because they occur intermingled, & are thus proved not to be var^s. consequent on situation. Almost always, too, botanists treat var^s. as rarer than their alleged species or type forms. And here & there remarks are made, that such a form is a var^y. caused by difference of situation.

You seem to expect something from the concluding volume of Cybele,² —& will thus be disappointed. It will simply be like a block of stone, cut & fashioned in a particular manner, but by itself of little or no use;—yet adapted to constitute part of an edifice where other blocks are prepared in like manner, to be built up along with it. I can in some measure see or guess what ought to be done,—but am unable to do it, because the like materials do not elsewhere exist, for comparison & generalisation.

Very truly | Hewett C. Watson³