My dear Sir

A copy of the Origin for you was sent on Aug 6 through Sampson Low to Scribner & Co New York;¹ but as this copy is lost I have now ordered a new one to be sent to Mess^rs Bailliére New York for you.² I am sorry that the first copy failed.

I have rec^d 2 numbers of the Practical Entomol.; the first about naturalized insects interested me greatly, & seemed very well done.³

I am rather sorry that you are Editor, as I have always heard that an Editor’s life is one of ceasless trouble & anxiety.⁴

I believe the reproduction of the Ornithorhyncus is not yet thoroughly known, & recently one little bit of evidence rather favours its being oviparous.⁵

I will send your proposal from D^r Velie to D^r Sclater Sec. Zoolog. Soc., as he is our greatest ornithologist.⁶

With respect to Aphis you must not trust my recollection, but Balbiani has shewn that the so-called pseudo-ovum contains a peculiar cell, & this so far is certain.⁷ Lubbock finds the same in Coccus.⁸ Now this cell according to B. contains spermatic matter & fertilises the other part of the pseudo-ovum.— I have asked 2 or 3 good judges & no one knows what to think, but all agree that B. is an excellent observer. According to this view the viviparous Aphides are all hermaphrodites with the 2 sexual elements in close union, & the oviparous Aphides unisexual.⁹

I shall be glad to receive your paper on galls—¹⁰

I am tired & not well today—so no more—

Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin