I was greatly surprised & disappointed to find by your last letter that you cannot see the Argus as I and some others do.² M^r Blyth³ has just called on me & when I asked him whether he had thought at all on the subject he said he perfectly agreed with me about the markings alluded to. M^r Blyth also said he has had many through his hands while in India alive & dead although he never saw one display his wings. There are he informs me three specimens now living in Europe—1 male & 2 females but all separated. I looked at the Museum specimen on Saturday in company with a young friend who is an amateur artist & when we stood a few yards away from the bird we both saw very distinctly the art wonder in nature   Still I greatly admire your extrem⁠⟨⁠  ⁠⟩⁠ ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ ⁠⟨⁠  ⁠⟩⁠ness in not admitting what you do ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ You do not say how you like my ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ Student⁴ nor anything about the c⁠⟨⁠  ⁠⟩⁠ ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ pheasant, the peculiarity in which, to ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ your attention, may be seen in any ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ period of courtship, & I have made ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ life shewing the unbroken stripes.

I was at the Gardens on a Sunday morning & saw your name in the book but was disappointed to hear, that you had just left.⁵ May I ask the favour of an interview with you when you are in Town again?

& believe me to remain, | Dear Sir, | Very faithfully yours, | T. W. Wood.

C. Darwin Esq. F.R.S.

P.S. Is not this matter one of those things which have been hidden from the wise & prudent & revealed unto babes?