what Linnaeus and Darwin called Lepas anatifera.) I should get rid of the
difficulty of the second edition of Hill and of the difficulty of Anatifera
vel Anatifa. Linnaeus's generic description is equally applicable to
Anatifera and Balanus, though the latter stands first. Must the mere
precedence rigorously outweigh the apparent opinion of many old
naturalists? As for using Lepas in place of Balanus, I cannot. Every one
will understand what is meant by Lepas Anatifera, so that convenience would
be wonderfully thus suited. If I do not hear, I shall understand I have
your consent.


LETTER 31. J.D. HOOKER TO CHARLES DARWIN.

(31/1. In the "Life and Letters," I., page 392, is a letter to Sir J.D.
Hooker from Mr. Darwin, to whom the former had dedicated his "Himalayan
Journals." Mr. Darwin there wrote: "Your letter, received this morning,
has interested me extremely, and I thank you sincerely for telling me your
old thoughts and aspirations." The following is the letter referred to,
which at our request Sir Joseph has allowed us to publish.)

Kew, March 1st, 1854.

Now that my book (31/2. "Himalayan Journals," 2 volumes. London, 1854.)
has been publicly acknowledged to be of some value, I feel bold to write to
you; for, to tell you the truth, I have never been without a misgiving that
the dedication might prove a very bad compliment, however kindly I knew you
would receive it. The idea of the dedication has been present to me from a
very early date: it was formed during the Antarctic voyage, out of love
for your own "Journal," and has never deserted me since; nor would it, I
think, had I never known more of you than by report and as the author of