From L. C. Harrison   [22 August 1874]1

Rathmullen | Letterkenny | Co Donegal

Dear Uncle Charles

I was delighted yesterday to find some Pinguicula at last. I send some leaves with insects adhering in tin box. They are in alternate layers with moss. They were growing in a bog on a hillside among heath, sphagnum moss, Anagallis tenella, bog asphodel, Ranunculus &/c—2 I saw no seeds for certain. I dare say I may be able to get at some more if those are not carefully enough packed or you want to know anything more. I will look out for the seeds.

Just Post time | In great haste | Your affte niece | Lucy Harrison

Out of 157 leaves examined

70 had 1 or more insects adhering

87 had none

(This was done rather roughly)

There were several live aphids walking about without being caught

Endorsement: ‘Aug 22d’

1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from L. C. Harrison, [1 July 1874]. The date is established by the endorsement.
2
In Insectivorous plants, pp. 369–70, CD cited ‘a friend’ for observations on Pinguicula (butterwort) in Donegal, Ireland. Anagallis tenella is the European bog pimpernel; Ranunculus is the buttercup. Bog asphodel is Narthecium ossifragum; heath (heather) is probably Erica or Calluna.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-9606,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-9606