To W. W. Reade   30 June [1870]¹

My dear Sir

I have to thank you for two letters: one with a specimen of the insect which protects itself with dead ants &c; but I could not detect the protected insects. I suppose that it must be a larva; the larvæ of some beetles are known to protect themselves by cases made of their own hardened excrement.—² Your second letter, June 4^th, is full of curious observations: I shall be surprised if you do not make a very interesting book with an account of your Travels & observations on your return.³

I am very glad to hear confirmed that negros admire very black negros; but I much wish that time & space had permitted you to enter in some little detail on their ideas of beauty.⁴ I have to touch on this point & I shall go to press in a few weeks time; but as the chapter in question is nearly my last, I do not suppose that I shall come to it in the proofs for 3 or 4 months.⁵ I have resolved to keep my Essay on Expression in man & animals for subsequent & separate publication.⁶

Thanks for fact about the hand & mouth & astonishment.⁷ I wrote some little time begging you to observe about Gorillas & chimpanzee strictly frowning.⁸

Your case of stone tools is interesting: until lately none had been found in Africa, but quite recently they are reported from S. Africa & Egypt; & now you fill up the intermediate gap.—⁹

With every good wish, pray believe me | My dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | Ch. Darwin