To Roland Trimen   21 February [1868]1

Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.

Feb. 21st

My dear Mr Trimen

You are always most kind in aiding me. The argument of the Lasiocampa strikes me as very good—but what an intricate subject it is!—2 I have had excellent letters from Stainton & Bates.3 The latter is much staggered.— Have you ever heard or observed other cases like the Lasiocampa. I think I have seen in England many Butterflies pursuing one.—4

But here comes a doubt   may not the same male serve more than one female. I think I will write to Dr. Wallace of Colchester.—5

My women-kind have insisted on coming to London for all March, much to my grief; but I shall get some good, for I shall see some of my friends, & you amongst the number.—6

With very sincere thanks | Believe me | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

I shall go doggedly on collecting facts througout the animal kingdom, & possibly at the end some little light may be acquired.— I am getting some of the chief domestic animals tabulated.7

1
The year is established by the relationship between this letter and the letter from Roland Trimen, 20 February 1868.
6
CD was in London from 3 March to 1 April 1868 (see ‘Journal’ (Correspondence vol. 16, Appendix II)). Trimen visited CD at 4 Chester Place on 25 March (letter to Roland Trimen, [21 March 1868]).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-5908,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-5908