Would like to have some insect photographs identified; they seem to show pretty and new case of protective resemblance.
Encloses Fritz Müller letter, which may be of interest [see 11463].
RM should take no more trouble over the subject [Otto Zacharias’ photos; see 11510].
Is glad RM will draw up a paper from Fritz Müller’s letter.
Has received interesting essay from August Weismann on sexual selection in daphnoids [“Schmuckfarben der Daphnoiden”, Z. Wiss. Zool. (1878)].
Does not think the Petunia is anything remarkable.
Will do his best to provide preface for Weismann’s Studien [see Collected papers 2: 280–1].
Invites RM to luncheon.
CD sends his preface [to RM’s translation of August Weismann, Studies in the theory of descent (1882); Collected papers 2: 280–1].
Regrets he cannot compare his work with Weismann’s in his preface as he feels “an author is never a fit judge of his own work”. [Appended note explains that RM wished CD’s work to be fully acknowledged, which was frequently not the case in continental writings.]
Is glad book progresses; answers translation query.
Francis Darwin does not have time to lecture.
Asks to stay at Meldola's on the evening of 29th November as needs to catch an early train to Edinburgh on 30th November.
Sends the Fritz Müller article from Kosmos.
Wishes to subscribe to RM’s translation of Weismann.
Has seen Scudder’s article.
A. R. Wallace’s article ["Animals and their native countries", Nineteenth Century 5 (1879): 247–59] is excellent.
Suggests he write to Ernst Krause about publication of translation of Fritz Müller’s paper. FM’s view of mutual protection is quite new to CD.
Shares RM’s misgivings about Fritz Müller’s mutually protecting mimics. Would expect bird’s response to distasteful caterpillars to be instinctive. Believes J. J. Weir or Thomas Belt may have investigated the point.
Will go to Buckhurst Hill with Meldola to meet the Rector. Discusses travel arrangements.
Thanking Meldola for information regarding Epping Forest post. Asks Meldola to keep him posted (via Mr Bames) about the quality of the other candidates and the names of those on the sub-committee.
Has been invited to attend the Epping Forest sub-committee with another 11 candidates. Wishes to know their names.
Hopes to visit Meldola soon.