Sends a preliminary reply to CD’s query [5890]. Ten males to one female among captured micro-Lepidoptera. Six females to four or five males in those he has bred. HTS is aware this is diametrically opposed to information from [Alexander] Wallace and Bates, but the true proportion of sexes can only be ascertained by breeding.

Notes on sexual differences in British Hemiptera.

Comments on J. O. Westwood’s entomological nomenclature.

Discusses the organs for stridulation in Orthoptera [see Descent 1: 352ff].

On numerical proportions of sexes in insects; coloration. Dimorphism in dragonflies (Agrion) in which usual coloration is reversed in sexes [see Descent 1: 362–4].

Wallace seems to ride his hobby too hard.

CD’s queries on expression.

Sends photo of a native Australian.

Has sent his translations [of parts of Theodor Piderit, System der Mimik und Physiognomik (1867)].

Fritz Müller’s Für Darwin [1864] would sell if well translated. WSD would be glad to undertake it.

HM is certain his brother Fritz would like to see Für Darwin translated into English by Dallas. He will make arrangements with the German publisher.

Two friends are writing Darwinian works: Adolf Speyer on phylogeny of Lepidoptera

and August Röse on genealogy of mosses.

AG is writing notice of American edition of Variation [Nation 6 (1868): 234–6].

Pangenesis is "as good an hypothesis as one can now make".

Responds to CD’s queries on polygamy in birds and orang.

Discusses sexual selection and secondary characters; colours and sexual preference.

Expresses his admiration for Pangenesis; it is superior to Herbert Spencer’s theory.

ARW differs somewhat with CD’s chapter on causes of variability [ch. 22 in Variation]. Thinks several of CD’s arguments are unsound.

Briefly discusses how natural selection might aid in producing sterility between allied species.

Second issue [of Variation] is ready.

Murray thinks that the Athenæum review was written by J. E. Gray [see 5931].

Reports that when August Meyer confined several distinct species of Phryganeidae they coupled and produced fertile ova, indicating that some specific characters are not so important so far as reproduction is concerned [see Descent 1: 342 n. 2].

Has difficulty translating Piderit’s use of verbissen.

Will hold F. Müller’s book until CD decides about translating it.

AG is not surprised at popularity of CD’s Variation. Gives some corrections for next edition.

Asks CD to make his queries about proportion of sexes more precise so he can keep them in mind in his experiments with silkworms. [see Descent 1: 313.]

Could not believe Owen to be so demoniacal as to write the Athenæum review [of Variation].

Gardeners’ Chronicle review [see 5918] is weak. CD’s ideas on causes of variation may be as hazy as the reviewer’s.

Huxley’s clever remark on Pangenesis. JDH’s view of Pangenesis as fundamental to development doctrines, but nothing is gained by formulation in terms of germs or gemmules.

Tries to answer question on last page of CD’s letter anent sexuality.

Finds no absolute differences in size of sexes of Copridae. Gives several other genera in which males are larger than females.

Confirms his view of stridulation organ of house cricket. [see Descent 1: 354–5.]

Tells CD of a powerful convert to Darwinism: H. von Kiesenwetter of Berlin.

On the pugnacity of male salmon during the spawning season.

His translation and printing of Variation will be completed in two months.

His work on a relief committee for Russia’s agricultural distress has forced him to travel 1000 miles in the last week.

Plans to visit CD in July.

Trusts his paper ["Apterous Lepidoptera" (1867), printed for the West Kent Natural History, Microscopical, and Photographic Society] showed that he is thoroughly a disciple of CD.

Cites evidence that birds undoubtedly distinguish colours. [see Descent 2: 110.]

On the play of colours in the peacock’s tail.