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

Has looked through BDW’s papers and finds heaps of facts on sexual differences. Asks questions on sexual differences in particular species.

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.

Summary

Thanks BDW for new facts about Anthocaris [see 6156].

Asks BDW to observe stridulation apparatus in male and female lamellicorns.

Summary

BDW’s letter [6051?] and his notes are a "mine of wealth". The negative evidence is of much value. Sexual selection is a perplexing subject – finds he "must make the best of a rather bad job".

Sends copy [of Variation].

Summary

Beginning of extract from William Dell Hartman’s "Journal of the doings of Cic[ada?] septemdecim" [unidentified] in Pennsylvania in 1851.

Summary

Requests entomological data on sexual selection, especially proportions of sexes.

Sends Queries about expression with note: "a great hobby of mine".

Summary

Is sending a copy of Variation [to be published in a few days]. It cost more labour than it is worth.

George Darwin is Second Wrangler.

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

B. D. Walsh has not received his copy of Variation. Several other foreign correspondents have similar complaints.

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

On the delay in receiving CD’s new book [Variation] and his delight in a borrowed copy.

Encloses a Prospectus on his new periodical "American Entomologist" devoted to economic entomology.

Comments on the talents of his young partner, C. V. Riley.

Requests photographs for Riley of CD and Westwood.

Dr J. L. Le Conte has not yet received the request that he furnish CD with information about the stridulatory organs of Coleoptera.

Summary

JM will send another copy of Variation to B. D. Walsh.

Summary

CD’s oscillating views relating to protection and sexual selection.

Summary

Lost copy of Variation sent to B. D. Walsh has been traced as far as New York.

Summary

Thanks JDC for paper ["American Cervus", Trans. Ottawa Acad. Nat. Sci. (1868); read 21 May 1868].

Summary

Wilson Armistead’s death cut short his work on galls, but Müller is continuing it.

In China only uni-coloured animals are sold for meat, the rest are killed in the litter.

Summary

Is obliged for the facts about the hybrids [see 5910], which permit him to reject the view of B. D. Walsh (and H. W. Bates?) that organs play an important part in keeping incipient species distinct.

He has asked John Murray to send RM a copy of Variation.

Summary

CD has questions related to colour differences in the sexes of butterflies, especially in relation to HWB’s paper ["On variation in sexes of Argynnis diana", Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia 4 (1865): 204–7].

Mentions that his MS on Lepidoptera [for Descent] is longer than he intended and the information is four-fifths owed to HWB.

Summary

Sends stamps to the value of 1s. 1d. and asks for parcel to be sent to 6 Queen Anne Street, Cavendish Square, London.