My dear M^r. Moggridge

I am much obliged for your letter which is very interesting, & the facts detailed are quite new to me. I much hope that you will continue your observations on ants. If you do not know “P Huber Recherches sur les Mœurs des Fourmis Paris 1810”, I would strongly advise you to get a copy as it is a most interesting & not very large book—¹

I published an extract from a letter from a Texas gentleman (name forgotten) in Linn: Journ:, which M^r. Kippist probably can find for you; & I think this would be worth looking at, as it relates to ants storing & planting seeds.² At the time I could hardly credit the letter though appearing trustworthy, as I had never seen in England an ant carrying a seed.

I am very glad to hear that you intend putting together your notes on the variability of certain plants, as I am sure they will be valuable.³

I have long felt much surprize at the fly ophrys being so inconspicuous, so inodorous & so little attractive to insects.⁴ It therefore occurred to me as possible, though very improbable that this state of things had been acquired from the plant in its present condition not enduring to have all its flowers fertilized.

I like to try experiments with only the ghost of a chance of success; so that I had intended (but failed from the plant being very rare this season) to have fertilized every flower necessarily of about 20 plants & mark them. And to have marked 20 or more plants which were to be left to the imperfect agency of insects. I should then have compared at the close of the season the general state of vigour & the apearance of the capsules of the two sets. Should opportunity offer, would you feel inclined to try this hopeless experiment?⁵

I am glad to hear that you are rather stronger than you have been since 1869; but I fear this is not saying much.⁶ As for myself I have been a good deal below par of late & must have some entire rest; my ailings however are as nothing compared with yours.

With many thanks for your long & interesting letter believe me | yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin