From Raphael Meldola   13 September 1877

Dear Sir,

When collecting notes on the subject of “mimicry” some years ago you were so good as to forward to me for perusal a letter from Fritz Müller, written from Brazil.¹ I came across a copy of the letter when looking through my notes recently & on reading it through again decided that it contained a good deal of valuable entomological observation which in my opinion ought to be permanently recorded. I am therefore induced to ask your permission to allow me to make suitable extracts from the letter & read them at the next meeting of our Society for publication in our “Proceedings”.²

Allow me to add whilst addressing you that we should at all times highly value any notes on entomological subjects which you might favour us with & doubtless a great deal of such information must come into your hands without being of immediate service in your work.

I venture to think that occasional notes backed up by your authority would do a great deal towards stimulating philosophical Entomology in this Country by enforcing upon our workers the fact that the mere descriptions of species cannot constitute a true Science. In the present state of Entomology much more is thought of discovering a synonym than of observing a natural fact. To use a simile of Prof. Tait’s—the describers of species are the hodmen handing up materials to the master-builder who arranges them in order & shows their meaning.³

With the greatest respect, | I am, dear Sir, | Yours faithfully, | R. Meldola. | 21 John St. | Bedford Row, | London, W.C.

Ch. Darwin Esq. M.A. F.R.S. &c &c.