To J. D. Hooker   21 July [1858]

My dear Hooker

I received only yesterday the proof sheets, which I now return. I think your Introduction cannot be improved.¹

I am disgusted with my bad writing. I could not improve it, without rewriting all, which would not be fair or worth while, as I have begun on better abstract for Linn. Soc. My excuse is that it never was intended for publication.— I have made only a few correction in style; but I cannot make it decent, but I hope moderately intelligible.² I suppose some one will correct the revise.— (Shall I.?)

Could I have clean proof to send to Wallace?

I have not yet fully considered your remarks on big genera, (but your general concurrence is of highest possible interest to me);³ nor shall I be able till I reread my M.S; but you may rely on it, that you never make a remark to me, which is lost from inattention.— I am particularly glad you do not object to my stating your objections, (in a modified form) for they always struck me as very important & as having much inherent value, whether or no they were fatal to my notions.

I will consider & reconsider all your remarks.

If you would at some future time purge some Floras of stragglers, I would have the vars. tabulated. I remember wishing this much, but thought it was too much to ask, & I had some other motive, but cannot now exactly remember what.

One sh^d. never forget that many of the most flourishing orders will surely in time arrive at their maximum & begin to decrease, & then if my views are right, they will begin to vary less, for the manufactury for new species in this order is beginning to languish. But I will say no more at present.

I have ordered Bentham, for as Babington says it will be very curious to see a Flora written by a man who knows nothing of British plants!!!⁴

I am very glad at what you say about my abstract, but you may rely on it, that I will condense to utmost. I w^d. aid in money if too long.—

In how many ways you have aided me!

Yours affect^y | C. Darwin