160 Alexander Goodman More. 



The point is this, that I find in the Kentish specimens 

 that the O. latifolia is far less visited by insects than 

 O. maculata, and as some botanists doubt whether they are 

 distinct species, it would be rather curious to show that 

 insects distinguish them. You will see that it is not worth 

 much trouble. I am now writing my paper, and I fancy 

 that the points are sufficiently curious to make you not 

 regret having with so much patience and kindness helped 

 me" (July i;th, 1861). 



The Orchid correspondence ended in October, 1862. 

 But years afterwards, when living in Dublin, and practi- 

 cally cut off from field-botany, Mr. More received the 

 following characteristic letter, curiously bearing the same 

 date (June 24th) as Mr. Darwin's first letter to him, and 

 showing that a certain long-pondered and favourite 

 problem still awaited solution : 



DOWN, BECKENHAM, KENT, 



June 24th , i86g. 



MY DEAR SIR, I have not heard for some time how your health is : 

 if still weak, pray forgive me for troubling you, and burn this note. But 

 if you are well and inclined to take a little expedition, I should be very 

 grateful if you would endeavour once again on a fine day to observe 

 during half an hour what insects visit Epipactis palustris, and espe- 

 cially how they make their entrance into and exit from the flower. This 

 is the point about which I am most curious ; and, secondly, the kind of 

 insect (which I should be glad to see and get named), for I have now 

 clearly ascertained that E. latifolia is regularly and exclusively ferti- 

 lised by wasps. The motive for my applying this year is that I have 

 drawn up some notes and corrections for a French translation of my 

 Orchis book, and these notes I shall also publish in English. Pray 

 forgive me for troubling you, and if in your power I believe that you will 

 kindly feel inclined to aid me. Dear Sir, yours very faithfully, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



