Summary

Comments on BDW’s papers ["On certain entomological speculations of the New England school of naturalists", Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia 3 (1864): 207–49; "On insects inhabiting the galls of certain species of willow", ibid. 3 (1864): 543–644]; much is new to CD.

Asks about wide-ranging insect genera,

Rocky Mt. wingless insects,

willow hybrids,

galls,

and other subjects.

Summary

Sends his paper on "Willow-galls" [Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia 3 (1864): 543–644].

Lengthy criticism of Agassiz’s views on species as stated in his Essay on classification [1857].

Interested by CD’s trimorphism in Lythrum. Thinks some great mystery may lie in the fact that in some genera, some species are tri-, some di-, and some monomorphic, and in other genera, Apis, Vespa, Bombus, all the known species are dimorphic.

Summary

Glad BDW has proved his case on dimorphism of Cynips.

Interested in galls

and BDW’s Cicada articles [Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia (1864)].

Summary

Discusses a variety of subjects: Cynips, galls, potato bugs,

male Daphnia laying eggs.

His Primula experiment results differ from John Scott’s.

Summary

On H. A. Dubois’ attack on "Darwin, Huxley and Lyell"

and H. J. Clark’s Mind in nature [1865].

BDW’s work [on Cynipidae].

Summary

Acknowledges CD’s paper on "Climbing plants".

Mentions Asa Gray’s complimentary notice in Silliman’s Journal [Am. J. Sci. and Arts 2d ser. 40 (1865): 273–82].

His difficulty in understanding how males of Daphnia or any other genus can produce eggs. If there is no impregnation, how can there be sexual organs? Why call one form male and another female?

He has sent CD his paper on "the new Potato Bug".

Will soon send "On Phytophagi Species & Unity of Coloration". [phytophagic!?]

Complaints about practices of the English Post Office.

His current research and description of the rationale of his experiments.

Summary

Is not sure he thinks so much of BDW’s argument in his last paper as of some others he advanced. Is BDW sure Lucanidae use jaws for holding female in copulation rather than for fighting other males?

Summary

Says Jacob W. Velie wants to exchange birds’ skins with European naturalist.

Comments on meaning of "Darwinism".

Encloses papers from Practical Entomologist.

Discusses Ornithorhynchus paradoxus

and his paper on willow galls.

Mentions human skull found in California.

Summary

CD has followed Lyell’s advice and avoided controversy over Origin but encourages BDW to attack S. H. Scudder and others who argue foolishly or misquote him.

Summary

Balbiani’s puzzling observations on Aphis.

Summary

Thanks BDW for extracts about "drumming" [of male Cicada to attract females].

Asa Gray and Hooker doubt that 13–year and 17–year Cicada forms should be considered distinct species. CD is inclined to agree with them.

Suggests observations be made of ratio of females to males in the rarer form.

Summary

Notes Louis Agassiz’s opinions on CD’s views.

Mating and sexual organs of insects.

Summary

Recalls being introduced to CD when [undergraduate] at Cambridge.

Sends CD some of his pamphlets

and expresses support of Origin.

Has discovered there are "3 sexes" in the solitary Cynips as well as social insects.

Summary

Discusses several subjects, including examples of "Unity of coloration",

the origin of gall-producing poison,

Wagner’s theory of viviparous larvae,

and stridulation in insects.

Sends a reference supporting CD’s statement in Origin that flies check propagation of horses and cattle.

Summary

On the "bullae" as constant, regular generic characters in Hymenoptera. Disagrees with Louis Jurine ["Observations sur les ailes des hyménoptères", Mem. Accad. Sci. Torino 24 (1820): 177–214].

Summary

Thanks for letter and memoirs.

Suggests a "rather hopeless experiment" of introducing poisons into tissues of plants on the chance that monstrous growths may be produced.

Summary

Sexual preference in insects;

structures for seizing females;

coloration.

Doubts whether CD can make much of a case from insects in support of sexual selection.

Summary

Discusses Agassiz’s misrepresentations of his views and J. D. Dana’s "wild notions".

The reception is friendlier from younger scientists in France, and many of the best men in Germany.

Summary

BDW believes the coloration of species [of Anthocaris] provides a case of sexual selection.

The state of entomology in the U. S.; Darwinism now a common creed, especially among entomologists.

Summary

Thanks BDW for pamphlets [by S. H. Scudder and J. D. Caton].

His information about Cicada is of extraordinary interest. Discusses stridulation organs which certainly sometimes differ in the sexes. CD would be curious to know if "dumb" Cicada can breed.