Added afterwards between the lines.) I may just mention that the seeds mentioned in my former note have all germinated after fourteen days' immersion, except the cabbages all dead, and the radishes have had their germination delayed and several I think dead; cress still all most vigorous.

French spinach, oats, barley, canary-seed, borage, beet have germinated after seven days' immersion.
It is quite surprising that the radishes should have grown, for the salt water was putrid to an extent which I could not have thought credible had I not smelt it myself, as was the water with the cabbage-seed.
LETTER 322.

TO J.D.HOOKER.

Down, June 10th [1855].
If being thoroughly interested with your letters makes me worthy of them, I am very worthy.
I have raised some seedling Sensitive Plants, but if you can READILY spare me a moderately sized plant, I shall be glad of it.
You encourage me so, that I will slowly go on salting seeds.

I have not, I see, explained myself, to let you suppose that I objected to such cases as the former union of England and the Continent; I look at this case as proved by animals, etc., etc.; and, indeed, it would be an astounding fact if the land had kept so steady as that they had not been united, with Snowdon elevated 1,300 feet in recent times, etc., etc.
It is only against the former union with the oceanic volcanic islands that I am vehement.