Summary

RT’s argument about the Lasiocampa strikes him as very good; asks for any similar cases. Wonders whether male butterflies may serve more than one female.

Summary

Asks whether RT will call.

Summary

On attraction of males by females in moths. H. T. Stainton mentions a case.

Summary

Arranges for RT to call.

Summary

Coloration in moths.

Quotes Achille Guénée on relative proportion of sexes in Phalaenites.

Summary

Thanks RT for letter which saves him from a "terrible mistake": that no moths were more brilliantly coloured beneath than above. Suggests revised version for comment. [See Descent 1: 397.]

Summary

Approves CD’s revision on coloration of moths.

Impressed with apparent adverse tendencies: one toward sexual selection, the other toward protection.

Summary

Extract from Émile Blanchard’s Metamorphoses, moeurs et instincts des insectes [1868], on attraction of males by female Lepidoptera, and possible explanation.

Summary

Has tried using dealers’ price-lists as a guide to sex ratios in Lepidoptera; finds numerous cases in which the sexes bring different prices and in virtually all of them the males are cheaper. This seems to confirm the impression of the field collectors.

Wishes RT good luck with natural history in S. Africa.

Summary

Thanks CD for his orchid paper ["Fertilization of orchids", Collected papers 2: 138–56]. Comments briefly on orchids.

Discusses moths in which the wing underside is the most brightly coloured, and relates his observations on sexual selection by a moth, Syntomis.

Summary

Man’s spiritual life separates him from other animals.

Why are moths attracted, often fatally, to lights?

Thanks for copy of Descent.

Summary

Cannot explain why moths fly into candle flames and birds against lighthouses. Has felt it was just curiosity which attracted them.

CD does believe dogs have some sense of humour.

Summary

Hopes to visit during CD’s stay at Haredene.

Summary

Invites RT to call on him while he is staying at Haredene.

Summary

Intends to visit CD at Haredene.

Summary

On St G. J. Mivart’s Genesis of species and Chauncey Wright’s review of it [North Am. Rev. (July 1871)].

Summary

Regrets he is too unwell to see RT before his departure for the Cape; wishes him well.

Summary

On new [6th] edition of the Origin; comments on additions.

Owen’s attitude toward evolution.