From Federico Delpino1   [1870]2

Onorevole Signore!

Permetta che le offra in omaggio anche un altro piccolo lavoro “l’applicazione della Teoria Darwiniana ai fiori e agl’insetti visitatori dei fiori”3

Tanto l’autore che il traduttore4 contano tra i di Lei discepoli, più convinti e persuasi delle grandi verità esposte nella Dottrina che da Lei prende il nome. Ella voglia nella sua bontà gradire il tenue dono.

Forse occuperà men ben⁠⟨⁠  ⁠⟩⁠ il suo tempo, se si risolve a leggere questo libretto; non ostante mi sarebbe estremamente caro che leggesse la mia annotazione che si trova a pagg. 31. 32.

In quest’ annotazione io ho sommariamente esposto le ragioni che mi hanno reso profondamente persuaso della variabilità indefinita degli esseri, comecchè in perfetto accordo colle teorie vitalistiche e teleologiche da noi propugnate.

Riceva di nuovo l’attestato della mia altissima stima e riconoscenza. | Ossequentissimo discepolo | Federico Delpino | Professor di botanica a Vallombrosa.

(Firenze per Vallombrosa)

1
For a translation of this letter, see Correspondence vol. 18, Appendix I.
2
The date is established by the reference to Delpino trans. 1870a (see n. 3, below).
3
Delpino refers to Delpino trans. 1870a (The application of Darwinian theory to flowers and to the insects that visit flowers), an annotated translation of H. Müller 1869. There is an annotated copy in the Darwin Pamphlet Collection–CUL.
4
Delpino refers to himself and to Hermann Müller.

From Federico Delpino1   [1870]2

Honourable Sir!

Allow me to offer you as a gift another small piece of work, “l’applicazione della Teoria Darwiniana ai fiori e agl’insetti visitatori dei fiori”.3

Both author and translator4 can be counted amongst your disciples, all the more so as they are convinced and persuaded of the great truths exposed in the Doctrine that is named after you. May you in your great kindness accept this slender gift.

Perhaps it would not be the best use of your time, if you resolved to read this pamphlet; still, it would be extremely important to me if you read my annotations on pp. 31. 32.

In this annotation I have briefly set out the reasons that have profoundly convinced me of the infinite variability of beings, though in perfect harmony with the vitalistic and teleological theories propounded over here.

Please accept anew the profession of my highest esteem and gratitude | Your most obedient disciple | Federico Delpino | Professor of botany, Vallombrosa

(Firenze per Vallombrosa)

1
For a transcription of this letter in its original Italian, see p. 1.
2
The date is established by the reference to Delpino trans. 1870a (see n. 3, below).
3
Delpino refers to Delpino trans. 1870a (The application of Darwinian theory to flowers and to the insects that visit flowers), an annotated translation of H. Müller 1869. There is an annotated copy in the Darwin Pamphlet Collection–CUL.
4
Delpino refers to himself and to Hermann Müller.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-7055,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-7055