Recalls being introduced to CD when [undergraduate] at Cambridge.
Sends CD some of his pamphlets
and expresses support of Origin.
Has discovered there are "3 sexes" in the solitary Cynips as well as social insects.
Notes Louis Agassiz’s opinions on CD’s views.
Mating and sexual organs of insects.
Sends his paper on "Willow-galls" [Proc. Entomol. Soc. Philadelphia 3 (1864): 543–644].
Lengthy criticism of Agassiz’s views on species as stated in his Essay on classification [1857].
Interested by CD’s trimorphism in Lythrum. Thinks some great mystery may lie in the fact that in some genera, some species are tri-, some di-, and some monomorphic, and in other genera, Apis, Vespa, Bombus, all the known species are dimorphic.
Discusses several subjects, including examples of "Unity of coloration",
the origin of gall-producing poison,
Wagner’s theory of viviparous larvae,
and stridulation in insects.
Sends a reference supporting CD’s statement in Origin that flies check propagation of horses and cattle.
Acknowledges CD’s paper on "Climbing plants".
Mentions Asa Gray’s complimentary notice in Silliman’s Journal [Am. J. Sci. and Arts 2d ser. 40 (1865): 273–82].
His difficulty in understanding how males of Daphnia or any other genus can produce eggs. If there is no impregnation, how can there be sexual organs? Why call one form male and another female?
He has sent CD his paper on "the new Potato Bug".
Will soon send "On Phytophagi Species & Unity of Coloration". [phytophagic!?]
Complaints about practices of the English Post Office.
His current research and description of the rationale of his experiments.
On the "bullae" as constant, regular generic characters in Hymenoptera. Disagrees with Louis Jurine ["Observations sur les ailes des hyménoptères", Mem. Accad. Sci. Torino 24 (1820): 177–214].
On H. A. Dubois’ attack on "Darwin, Huxley and Lyell"
and H. J. Clark’s Mind in nature [1865].
BDW’s work [on Cynipidae].
Says Jacob W. Velie wants to exchange birds’ skins with European naturalist.
Comments on meaning of "Darwinism".
Encloses papers from Practical Entomologist.
Discusses Ornithorhynchus paradoxus
and his paper on willow galls.
Mentions human skull found in California.
Sends a copy [missing] of a lecture by L. Agassiz on glaciers.
Claims worker wasps can generate additional workers in the absence of the fertile female.
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.
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.
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.
Beginning of extract from William Dell Hartman’s "Journal of the doings of Cic[ada?] septemdecim" [unidentified] in Pennsylvania in 1851.
