Thanks for interesting letter which confirms belief that a good observer is a good theorist.
He is glad to hear that HWB, with his wide knowledge of natural history, has anticipated CD in many respects and agrees with the Origin.
Has been thoroughly attacked, especially by entomologists - J. O. Westwood, T. V. Wollaston, and Andrew Murray.
Glad HWB is writing on "equatorial refrigeration"; CD expresses his belief in north to south migration during glacial period.
Gives an extract from L. von Buch on the flora of the Canaries [Physikalische Beschreibung der Canarische Inseln (1825)].
Natural selection does not explain why animals of different groups in the same place often resemble each other.
Discusses specific varieties, especially geographic varieties.
Comments on the effects of the glacial age on the tropics.
Sexual selection.
CD urges HWB to write on his travels;
asks for facts on domestic variations;
is pleased by HWB's acceptance of the theory of sexual selection.
He still believes in migration from north to south during glacial age.
Hopes Bates will publish a paper on mimicry.
Recommends publisher for HWB; admires J. van Voorst but suggests Murray.
In reply to HWB's letter [missing], comments on neuters and mimicry.
Discusses the mimicry of the Volucella flies, and the bees and wasps they mimic. Compares it with the different object of mimicry in butterflies.
Refers to incompleteness of Cuthbert Collingwood's paper [? "On homophormism, or organic representative forms", Proc. Liverpool Lit. & Philos. Soc. 14 (1860): 181-216].
Thanks CD for help in selecting a publisher for his book [The naturalist on the river Amazons (1863)].
Thanks HWB for information on Volucella, although he does not know when he will use it.
Is glad HWB is beginning his book.
CD is beginning work on his orchid book.
Furnishes CD with more information on Volucella and gives him references relating to this and butterfly colourings. States that colours are not necessarily related to resting-places but rather an endowment to enable them to withstand adverse conditions.
Gives some observations on changes in pistil position with age in Monochaetum. Asks whether AG can observe Rhexia for similar movements.
"One of the best men, though at present unknown", H. W. Bates, has taken up natural selection.
Still working on book and has completed 620 out of 700 pages.
Rewrote memoir [on mimicry in Amazon Lepidoptera] for Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. [23 (1862): 495-566].
Edwin Brown, HWB's earliest naturalist friend, will have a hard time classifying Carabi as he is unable to travel.
Darwin Correspondence Project
darwin@lib.cam.ac.uk
© University of Cambridge 2022
Website by Surface Impression
© 2024 University of Cambridge
