MEMOIR. xiv 
Charles Darwin to H. W. Bates. 
‘Down, BROMLEY, KENT, Woveméber 20¢h, 1862. 
‘* DEAR BATES, 
‘‘T have just finished, after several reads, your paper. In my 
opinion it is one of the most remarkable and admirable papers I ever read 
in my life. The mimetic cases are truly marvellous, and you connect ex- 
cellently a host of analogous facts. The illustrations are beautiful, and seem 
very well chosen ; but it would have saved the reader not a little trouble if 
the name of each had been engraved below each separate figure; no doubt 
this would have put the engraver into fits, as it would have destroyed beauty 
of plate. Iam not at all surprised at such a paper having consumed much 
time. I rejoice that I passed over the whole subject in the Orzgzz, for I 
should have made a precious mess of it. You have most clearly stated and 
solved a wonderful problem. No doubt, with most people, this will be the 
cream of the paper; but I am not sure that all your facts and reasoning on 
varieties and the segregation of complete and semi-complete species is not 
really more, or at least as valuable a part. I never conceived the forces 
nearly so clearly before: one feels present at the creation of new forms.* I 
wish, however, you had enlarged a little more on the pairing of similar 
varieties ; a rather more numerous body of facts seems here wanted. 
‘‘Then again, what a host of curious miscellaneous observations there 
are, as on related sexual and individual variability you give; these will some 
day, if I live, be a treasure to me. 
‘With respect to mimetic resemblances being so common with insects: 
do you not think it may be connected with their small size? They cannot 
defend themselves; they cannot escape by flight, at least from birds; 
therefore they escape by trickery and deception. I have one serious 
criticism to make, and that is about title of paper. I cannot but think that 
you ought to have called prominent attention in it to the mimetic re- 
semblances. Your paper is too good to be largely appreciated by the mob 
of naturalists without souls, but rely on it, that it will have Jestizg value, 
and I cordially congratulate you on your first great work. You will find, I 
should think, that Wallace will fully appreciate it. How gets on your book ? 
Keep your spirits up. A book is no light labour. I have been better lately 
and working hard, but my health is very indifferent. How is your health? 
‘* Believe me, dear Bates, 
‘* Yours very sincerely, 
“ Ca. DAR WIN.’” 
FHT. W. Bates to Charles Darwin. 
‘‘ KING STREET, LEICESTER, JVovember 24th, 1862. 
“My DEAR MR. DARWIN, 
‘‘T am now well repaid for the labour of writing the paper in 
Linn. Trans., having received your warm and discriminating approval. 
* In his review of the paper, Darwin says: ‘It is hardly an exaggeration to say that 
whilst reading and reflecting on the various facts given in this Memoir, we feel to be as 
near witnesses, as we can ever hope to be, of the creation of a new species on this earth.” 
