But does this hold with South-West Australia or the Cape?
I much doubt.
I have been accustomed to look at the cause of so many forms as being partly an arid or dry climate (as De Candolle insists) which indirectly leads to diversified [ ?] conditions; and, secondly, to isolation from the rest of the world during a very long period, so that other more dominant forms have not entered, and there has been ample time for much specification and adaptation of character.
Page lxxx .-- I suppose you think that the Restiaceae, Proteaceae (290/4.
It is doubtful whether Bentham did think so.

In his 1870 address he says: "I cannot resist the opinion that all presumptive evidence is against European Proteaceae, and that all direct evidence in their favour has broken down upon cross-examination."), etc., etc., once extended over the world, leaving fragments in the south.
You in several places speak of distribution of plants as if exclusively governed by soil and climate.

I know that you do not mean this, but I regret whenever a chance is omitted of pointing out that the struggle with other plants (and hostile animals) is far more important.
I told you that I had nothing worth saying, but I have given you my THOUGHTS.
How detestable are the Roman numerals! why should not the President's addresses, which are often, and I am sure in this case, worth more than all the rest of the number, be paged with Christian figures?
LETTER 291.

TO R.MELDOLA.
(291/1.

"This letter was in reply to a suggestion that in his preface Mr.Darwin should point out by references to "The Origin of Species" and his other writings how far he had already traced out the path which Weismann went over.