From J. T. Moggridge   16 September [1869]¹

Dear M^r. Darwin

Thank you very sincerely for the pamphlet containing supplementary Notes on the Fert: of Orchids, which arrived here yesterday—²

I am much pleased that my observations are found worth a place, & that they recieve such kind mention—³

The history of the fertilization of the tiny Herminium monorchis is very wonderful, & admirably observed.⁴

D^r. H. Müller’s papers on Platanthera & Epipactis appear to be of first rate importance, & I look forward with great interest to reading them in full.⁵

I have lately read with delight the paper on Epigæa by D^r. Meehan— It would appear that, in respect of variability, this Ericaceous plant is almost comparable to Arbutus—.⁶

Some of his generalisations appear to me to want qualification; as, for instance, when, speaking of plants generally, he says that—“there is as much variation in the wild plant, as in those under the best gardener’s skill”—⁷

I do not remember to have seen evidence to shew that any constant proportion exists between the amount of variability in the wild & the cultivated states—

I must now thank you for your kind & much-valued letter of June 7, recieved in reply to my own containing an imperfect abstract of some observations on Arbutus, Ophrys, et^c.—⁸

I hope on my return to Mentone to follow out your hints, especially that with reference to the lopped trees.—

I have already noted in each case, the altitude & exposure to which each tree is subject, & find, as one might expect, a sure relation between small leaves & a burning exposure & large leaves & a shady one. Whether the leaves & fruits or flowers are correlated, remains to be seen.

I have gained some evidence this spring, to shew that there are in England two varieties of Ophrys apifera, which tend to form colonies in which one is found to the exclusion of the other.—⁹

Thus I have recieved 17 specimens from Walton-on-the Naze, & 7 from Colston Basset (Notts.), all of which present the long-petaled form (A); while out of 20 from Dover, 16 were short-petaled (as. B.), & the remainder were either diseased or monstrous, & produced in the same flower long & short petals—

I have heard from time to time from D^r. Hooker, that you are recovering from the effects of that most unfortunate accident with your horse.¹⁰

What a pity it is that now-a-days there are no Fates to propitiate with sacrifices, or such accidents would, I am sure, be made impossible—

I know that you will be glad to hear that I am now much stronger, & look forward to starting for Mentone on October 15— —

It would give me sincere pleasure if I could be of use to you in any way there—

We leave Richmond for London on Oct. 8^th., where we shall stay a week—

Believe me | y^rs. most sincerely | J. Traherne Moggridge.