My dear Sir

I am heartily glad to get the arranged Plates, & I trust now you will make some good progress.— I like the arrangement much: do not reduce the figures of any of the species too much for the sake of crowding them together, but of course I do not wish to cause useless expense for the Society.—² ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠

I think it wd. certainly be better to have, (if convenient) all of S. maximus on one Plate.³ Please observe I mean now provisionally to treat S. maximus var lineatum, as a distinct species, & it must be figured with that [ … ] (scutum) lately sent to you by Post, but which you do not acknowledge. This S. lineatum had better go near to S. hastatum.⁴ ⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠

I am particularly glad that you have introduced all the foreign species.—⁵

NB. ☝ Please to get me drawings for (3) Woodcuts done first as their cutting will otherwise delay my going to Press with the first sheets: when done please send them here by Post with my rough drawings.—⁶

I thank you much for your progress, & do pray advance as quickly as you can: I shall be most anxious to see first Proof Plate.—

Your’s sincerely, | C. Darwin