From W. C. Marshall   30 August [1874]¹

Dear M^r. Darwin

I have sent off a box with a few pinguicula leaves for you today.²

There are I think 3 seeds on them, one a grass seed, one on a withered leaf w^h. will I fear be no use, & another w^h. when I packed it had formed a globule of fluid about it. I will endeavour to find some more seeds when the rain stops, if it ever does.

I can not trace the secretion from the insects, all I see is that the leaves frequently collect a sticky fluid in sufficient quantities to flow, & that this generally settles in the curled edge. I dont know how far this is merely the effect of rain.

I will send the porportion of leaves with flies on, when I have been able to count some more, I think decidedly more than half have flies on them.³

I noticed a few plants in Switzerland this summer, but had no lens with me., & I did not notice many flies as a rule; but in one spot I found some plants w^h. were covered with flies

believe me | y^rs. truly | W. C. Marshall

P.S. I have sent a leaf w^h. seems to have eated a fly w^h. disagreed with it, there is a hole in the leaf as if burnt & the remains of the fly are seen stretching accross it.