My _modus operandi_ was to give nine different kinds of seeds to Crookes,[114] to place them in one of his 1/1000000 atmosphere vacuums for three months last year (viz. February, March, and April). He then left one set undisturbed, whilst the other eight sets were transferred to their respective gases (nine in number), where they remained sealed up for a year. On being planted last month they have all germinated even better than those from the control packets of seeds, which have been in air all the time. I should have thought beforehand that at any rate the seeds which have been in so high a vacuum for fifteen months would have had any residual air extracted. But I will now try for next year, peeling peas, beans, &c., as you suggest. Do you think it would be well also to soak the seeds for a few hours before sealing in Crookes' tubes? Do not trouble to answer by letter, as I am going to Cambridge on the 21st inst. for the day, and will then see you if I can find you at home. I am not exactly 'at work,' as I am not as yet well enough to attempt it at anything like ordinary pressure, but I am certainly better, and much obliged to you for your kind inquiries upon the subject. With our united kind regards to Mrs. Darwin and yourself, I remain, yours sincerely, G. J. ROMANES. P.S. My illness has left me half blind, so I write as much as possible by dictation. (What a bull!) 94 St. Aldate's, Oxford: June 15. My dear Dyer,--Many thanks for your letter with enclosures. The letter shows that ----'s opinion has not altered since I last saw him. As I think I told you at the Athenæum, he undertook some two or three years ago on my behalf to raise discussions in the papers, to which he alludes. Since that time he has sent me, I believe, copies of all the numberless letters which have been published in consequence. The result of our inquiry has been to confirm the opinion which he gave me at the first, and also to form my own in the same direction. (See my article in answer to Herbert Spencer in the 'Contemporary Review' for April.[115])