Letter from Erasmus Darwin, Derby, to an unidentified recipient, 1800 September 25 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning his work with a walnut tree and farina; thanking him for his letter and saying he would be "...highly gratified by your sending me your proposed paper; which I will read with due attention, & safely return it to you. I think there must be a coach from Ludlow to Birmingham, & there is coach from thence hither almost every day. Your walnut tree so young, & so small, to bear fruit will be a curious prodigy, & I hope you will succeed with two kinds of farina; which, as you well observe, will overturn the system of Lewenhook, in respect to the vegetable world, & may induce some philosophers, like Spallanzani, to try a mixture of animal semina. I shall be glad to see your system of the progress of the sap, & of the power, which impells it. - my wish is to investigate truth; & will candidly give you my ideas on the subject, after I have seen your paper. I beg to present my best respects to your Lady, whom I remember with pleasure, & should be happy in an opportunity of renewing our acquaintance."