Sends specimens of Passiflora and seeds for T. H. Farrer [letter enclosed with 7188].

His observations on mimicry in butterflies

and self-sterility in plants.

Discussion of mimicry and sexual selection among butterflies, occasioned by reading Descent.

Has no objection to CD’s alluding to FM’s idea that sexual selection has come into play in mimetic butterflies.

Reports observations on other butterflies and on termites.

Agrees with Bates that neuter termites are not modified imagos (sterile females), but modified larvae (of both sexes).

Systematic relations of stingless honey-bees (Melipona and Trigona) are not yet well established.

FM gives his own observations of leaf-cutting ants, which support those of Thomas Belt in his book [The naturalist in Nicaragua (1873)]. [See 9223.] These ants feed only upon the fungus that grows upon the leaves that they carry to their nests.

He has caught a moth of the Glaucopidæ that when touched emitted a cloud of snow-white wool.

Observations on the stingless bees of Brazil.

Has read CD’s book on Drosera [Insectivorous plants] and found that it presents new material and is very interesting.

Has discovered that the parasites he thought he had found in Melipona nests are in fact true females. It is remarkable that they differ so greatly from the sterile females and males of their species.

"Sambaquis", or shell mounds accumulated by former inhabitants of the coast, contain shells of some animals that FM has never seen living.

Ants that live on imbauba trees (Cecropia) are attracted by small bodies at base of each petiole.

Thanks CD for new [2d] edition of Orchids.

Mentions some observations on dimorphic plants.

Reports on a third species of Pontederia [see Forms of flowers, p. 185].

Describes some unusual grasses.

Reports rumours from southern Brazil concerning the existence of a gigantic subterranean animal.

Doubts that glands of calyx of cleistogamic Malpighiaceae serve as protection.

Some species of Solanum bear long- and short-styled flowers on same plant.

Changing colours of some flowers may show insects the proper moment for fertilisation.

Doubts that the style of Pontederia cordata changes length.

Sexual difference in wings of some butterflies due to development in male of scales that emit odours to excite female.

Sends proboscis of a Sphinx-moth that is 22 cms long.

Discusses eleven species of butterfly which visit Lantana, a plant which blooms only for three days and whose flowers are yellow on the first day, orange on the second, and purple on the third. Most species only visit the flowers when they are yellow.

Describes and draws the odiferous organs of a Sphinx-moth.

Describes a secondary sexual character of several species of Callidryas and other Pierinæ: the costal margin of the anterior wing is sharply serrated in the males, while it is smooth in the females.

Reports butterfly species that apparently mimic each other and gives details of some odoriferous species.

[Letter copied in Raphael Meldola’s hand from original sent to Meldola with 11449.]

Observations on a sensitive Mimosa.

Comments on structure and positioning of "odoriferous organs" of moths and butterflies,

and feeding habits of butterfly larvae.

Is sending CD the seeds of a beautiful Cassia given to him by a friend. He sketched the unripe fruit a few months ago. This plant is rare in the area around Sta Catharina. He has found their largest and most beautiful butterfly Callidryas manippe near this tree and its caterpillars living on its leaves. Comments on how remarkable it is to find a species limited to living on a single tree in so large an area.

Has lately found frog that has eggs on its back.

Pupae of caddis-flies living on rocks have lost fringe of hairs on their feet. In species that live in the water these are used for swimming.