My dear Fox

I am dying by inches, from not having any body to talk to about insects:—my only reason for writing, is to remove a heavy weight from my mind, so now you must understand, what you will perceive before you come to the end of this; that I am writing merely for my own pleasure & not your’s.— I have been very idle since I left Cambridge in every possible way & amongst the rest in Entomology. I have however captured a few insects, about which I am much interested: My sister has made rough drawings of three of them: I. fig: is I am nearly sure, the same insect as H⁠⟨⁠oa⁠⟩⁠r,³ of Queens took in a Willow tree, & which Garland⁴ did not know. I took [it] under the bark of a rail, was very active, striking looking insect, took 3 specimens   I think this is an admirable prize

II. fig: is an extremely common insect; of the family of scarabidæ. Do you know it’s name?—

III. fig: A most beautiful Leptura (?) very like the Quadrifasciata, only the body is of the same size thoughout.— I tell you all these particulars, as I am anxious to know something about these little g⁠⟨⁠  ⁠⟩⁠s.— I was not fully aware of your extreme value before I left Cambridge. I am constantly saying “I do wish Fox was here”.— And I again say, I hope you will come & pay me visit before the summer is over— My Father desired me to say, that he should be at anytime most happy to see you.—

I have taken 3 species of Coccinellæ, one, the same as Hoar took in the Fens, which you said was rare, & another with 7 white! marks on each elytron.— I will mention, as I believe you are interested about it, that I have seen the Cocc: bipunctata (or dispar) 4 or 5 in actu coitus with a black one with 4 red marks (I believe most of the black ones you have got have ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ marks, & hence I suppose a different species) also, which is very singular, I have frequently seen two of the bipunctata’s in actu.— I Have taken Clivina Collaris, fig ⁠⟨⁠3⁠⟩⁠ Plate III of Stephens;⁵ also a beautiful copper-coloured Elater (with Antennæ pectin⁠⟨⁠ate⁠⟩⁠ like this. Do you want any of the Byrrhus Pillula? I can get any number.—

My dear Fox I must again beg your pardon for sending such a very selfish stupid letter: but remember I am your pupil, so you must forgive me.— I hope you will write to me soon, & tell me every thing you have been doing, & more particularly how you are in health, as to your eyes, & body.— How was poor little Fan: how was No 16!? what do you intend doing this summer? in short write me a good long letter about yourself & all other insects: My plans remain the same as formerly. I am going to Barmouth⁶ for two months.— If you have not written to my brother, write to him before the 22^d. & direct, Poste Restante, Munich I hope you will be able to send me a better account of Miss Fox, when you write; tell me whether you intend going to Tenby?

I should not send this very shamefully stupid letter, only I am very anxious to get some crumbs of information about yourself & the insects.

Believe me my dear Fox | Yours most sincerely | Charles Darwin

Shrewsbury

of a fine bluish black colour, but is not so broad as made in this drawing	rather lighter coloured & more metallic the legs are left out.—	this is a very good representation

I. fig is more like a Pyrochroa or a very narrow Blaps than any thing I can compare it to.—

I.I. fig: be sure to give me the name of this insect