Ɛpsilon

To George Bentham   27 September [1866]1

Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.

Sep 27

My dear Bentham

I am very much obliged to you for your note & I am sorry that I have troubled you in vain.2 I was anxious to hear of any cases like that of Acorus calamus.3 My memory deceived me for I now recollect the passage, & believe that at the time I did not misunderstand it.

With respect to the Linnean Library, not very long ago I applied for more than two books, but was told that it was against rules. I am sure it wd be of no use my asking Mr Kippist for more books unless he receives instructions, for though nobody can be more obliging & kind than he is, he is rigid to what he considers his duty.4

With many thanks for your note believe me | yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

LS

1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from George Bentham, 25 September 1866.
2
See letter from George Bentham, 25 September 1866. In a missing portion of his letter to Bentham of [July–September 1866] CD had asked about species of thistle not producing fertile seed.
4
CD had asked Bentham, who was president of the Linnean Society, whether it would be possible to borrow more than two books at a time from the society’s library (see letter to George Bentham, [July–September 1866], and letter from George Bentham, 25 September 1866). Richard Kippist was the society’s librarian.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-5220,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-5220