July 15/[18]90 The Camp Sunningdale.
My dear Young Lion I was pleased to get your letter today about the flowers. The plant like Bryony is indeed quite a different one, & not C nor even D It is Tamus c or Black Bryony & belongs to the Order Dioscorea to which the Yam belongs, & it has a large root like the Yam, but it is not good to eat. If the flowers were not too small for you to see you would find that there are 6 parts to the flower not 5 as in the Common white Bryony & it belongs to the great class. Nevertheless the likeness between the two plants is great, both are climbing whose leaves & branches perish: wither & both bear berries. The true Bryony has tendrils, the Tamus has none. The Bryony is related to plants with eatable fruits Gourds, Melons, Vegetable Marrows, & Cucumber. The Tamus is related to plants with eatable roots. Have you got Bentham's British F with the pictures? If not I will send it down. Gracie is gone today to a wedding of Sophie's sister, she will not be back till Friday. Harriet & Mr Dyer went to Switzerland today. Reggie came here on Saturday & staid over Sunday when he went back to his pupil. Mr George Darwin came on Saturday & staid till Monday he is a Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge. Mrs Andry & Miss Bird came to dinner on Saturday, Mrs Andry's son has passed an Army Examination at Wellington College. I pinned a fine stag beetle for Dicky this morning & a very pretty

fly banded with gold just like a wasp. Charlie sent me such a big snail shell with the live animal in it. It is a native of the South of Europe & must winter abroad. The Romans introduced it into England & it is still found near Roman ruins.-There are plenty of such ruins near Cirencester. So you see the descendents of the Romans still remain in England! I still miss you very much & still listen for you at half past six! My love to Grandmama & Hugh & kind regards to Mr Metcalfe Ever dear Young Lion Your affectionate Old Lion.