i828.] 



BEETLE COLLECTING. 



173 



the stones on the waste land of a long, smooth, jet-black beetle 

 (a great many of these) ; also, in the same situation, a very 

 small pinkish insect, with black spots, with a curved thorax 

 projecting beyond the head ; also, upon the marshy land over 

 the ferry, near the sea, under old sea-weed, stones, &c., you 

 will find a small yellowish transparent beetle, with two or four 

 blackish marks on the back. Under these stones there are two 

 sorts, one much darker than the other ; the lighter-coloured 

 is that which I want. These last two insects are excessively 

 rare, and you will really extremely oblige me by taking all 

 this trouble pretty soon. Remember me most kindly to 

 Butler, tell him of my success, and I dare say both of you will 

 easily recognise these insects. I hope his caterpillars go on 

 well. I think many of the Chrysalises are well worth keeping. 

 I really am quite ashamed [of] so long a letter all about my 

 own concerns ; but do return good for evil, and send me a 

 long account of all your proceedings. 



In the first week I killed seventy-five head of game a 

 very contemptible number but there are very few birds. I 

 killed, however, a brace of black game. Since then I have 

 been staying at the Fox's, near Derby ; it is a very pleasant 

 house, and the music meeting went off very well. I want to 

 hear how.Yates likes his gun, and what use he has made of it. 



If the bottle is not large you can buy another for me, 

 and when you pass through Shrewsbury you can leave these 

 treasures, and I hope, if you possibly can, you will stay a day 

 or two with me, as I hope I need not say how glad I shall be 

 to see you again. Fox remarked what deuced good-natured 

 fellows your friends at Barmouth must be ; and if I did not 

 know that you and Butler were so, I would not think of giving 

 you so much trouble. 



Believe me, my dear Herbert, 

 Yours, most sincerely, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



Remember me to all friends. 



