Lacock Abbey
Chippenham

June 6. 1875

My dear Sir

Thanks for your explanation of the bulbs being bulb-seeds – I now recollect that Crinum has such seeds. But I do not think they have been hitherto observed to germinate without falling from the flower, which is very remarkable, especially as the seeds are small and the air of the greenhouse very dry – Some time ago the seeds of a Rhamnus were sent to me. I raised the plant, which grew into a fine shrub, and flowered abundantly – I noticed that all the flowers were female – they were succeeded by abundance of black berries. I sowed these berries and they vegetated freely – I therefore concluded that I had found an example of what is now I believe called Partheno-genesis – I should like to know your opinion – It is not likely that there was any other Rhamnus in the neighbourhood, or perhaps within several miles – Are there similar examples on record, or does this experiment require to be repeated with additional precautions?

Yours very faithfully

H. F. Talbot

G. Bentham Esq