146 THE WRITING OF THE 'ORIGIN OF SPECIES.' [1859. 



tions. It is a very different part, as you suppose, from that 

 played by " Natural Selection." I sent oft^ by the same address 

 as this note, a copy of the ' Journal of the Linnean Society/ 

 and subsequently I have sent some half-dozen copies of the 

 paper. I have many other copies at your disposal. . . . 



I am glad to hear that you have been attending to birds' 

 nests. I have done so, though almost exclusively under one 

 point of view, viz. to show that instincts vary, so that selec- 

 tion could work on and improve them. Few other instincts, 

 so to speak, can be preserved in a Museum. 



Many thanks for your offer to look after horses' stripes ; if 

 there are any donkeys, pray add them. I am delighted 



to hear that you have collected bees' combs This is 



an especial hobby of mine, and I think I can throw a light 

 on the subject. If you can collect duplicates, at no very 

 great expense, I should be glad of some specimens for myself 

 with some bees of each kind. Young, growing, and irregular 

 combs, and those which have not had pupae, are most valuable 

 for measurements and examination. Their edges should be 

 well protected against abrasion. 



Every one whom I have seen has thought your paper very 

 well written and interesting. It puts my extracts (written in 

 1839, now just twenty years ago !), which I must say in apo- 

 logy were never for an instant intended for publication, into 

 the shade. 



You ask about Lyell's frame of mind. I think he is some- 

 what staggered, but does not give in, and speaks with horror, 

 often to me, of what a thing it would be, and what a job it 

 would be for the next edition of ' The Principles,' if he were 

 " perverted." But he is most candid and honest, and I think 

 will end by being perverted. Dr! Hooker has become almost 

 as heterodox as you or I, and I look at Hooker as by far the 

 most capable judge in Europe. 



Most cordially do I wish you health and entire success in 

 all your pursuits, and, God knows, if admirable zeal and 

 energy deserve success, most amply do you deserve it. I look 



