My dear Sir

The Box is 35 inches high; 13$\frac{3}{4}$. wide, the outside doors over the fixed side glass-windows being included;— & 19$\frac{1}{4}$ deep from front to back; all outside measures.—²

I thank you very sincerely for your kind answers to my queries, which are of real value to me.³ But will you ask one other for me: viz whether the Silver (by which I understand very pale blue) Barb, bred by M^r H. Weir from two yellows, had black wing-bars, & (if he can remember) whether black bar at end of tail, & whether a white or silver-blue rump above tail.—⁴

M^r Lubbock was at Leeds;⁵ I have not yet seen him, but have had a letter from him, in which he mentions that your paper was read⁶ & one by a M^r Ellis on Bee’s cell,⁷ & that D^r. Whewell spoke on subject.⁸ Hence, I suppose, in Times it appeared by mistake as if it had been Whewell’s paper; but no doubt there will be abstract in Athenæum, & your paper in full somewhere, which I shall be very curious to see.⁹ I fancy I have got the true theory, whether the same as your view I know not.— But I see some difficulties yet, on my views.—

With respect to putting my name down as patron you are very welcome; but my health is such that it will be merely nominal.—¹⁰ With hearty thanks for your very kind remembrance of my queries

Believe me, Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

P.S Is Huber correct, when he asserts that Bees adding to old comb, always first gnaw down edge to sharpen ridge??¹¹