Ɛpsilon

To Robert McLachlan   25 February [1868]

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

Feb. 25th

My dear Sir

It was my slip of the pen; & I remember that I had just before writing been reading about Ephemera.—1

I am particularly obliged for the facts about the hybrids; I had been considering Walsh (& Bates (?)) view that these organs played an important part in keeping incipient species distinct, & I felt so little satisfied that I had just resolved not to notice this view; & now you have given me solid grounds for rejecting it:— Many thanks.—2

For the chance of your liking to have a copy of my book on “Variation under Domestication”, I have told Mr. Murray to send you a copy of the new Edit. or rather Reprint, which will be out in a few days.—3

My dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin

Endorsement: ‘1868’

2
See letter from Robert McLachlan, 24 February 1868 and. n. 5. CD refers to Benjamin Dann Walsh and Henry Walter Bates. Walsh’s views on the use of abdominal organs in male insects are reported in Descent 1: 341–2.
3
McLachlan’s name appears on CD’s presentation list for the second printing of Variation (see Correspondence vol. 16, Appendix IV). CD refers to his publisher, John Murray.

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-5934B,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-5934B