206 CHARLES DARWIN. 



The reference in this letter is to Meldola's paper, 

 "Entomological Notes bearing on Evolution," soon 

 afterwards published in the Annals and Magazine 

 of Natural History, 1878, Vol. I. p. 155. The cater- 

 pillar referred to is the well-known larva of the Large 

 Elephant Hawk Moth (Chcerocampa elpenor). 



Darwin then wrote a brief note (October 19th, 

 1877) referring to a number of Kosmos containing an 

 article on " Sexual Selection." He offered to send the 

 number if it would interest his correspondent. The 

 number was sent, as the succeeding letter shows : 



"Oct. 22nd [18771. "Down. 



' MY DEAR SIR, I send Kosmos by this post. . . . 



"Prof. Weismann's address is Freiburg. I should think 

 he would be glad of translation, and would probably arrange 

 for stereotypes of Plates. You could say as an introduction 

 that I had lent you his book. To find a publisher will be 

 perhaps a difficulty. Should it be translated I must beg you 

 to get another copy, as I cannot spare mine for such a length 

 of time. Wallace sent me his article and I was quite dis- 

 satisfied with it. To explain a peacock's tail by vital activity 

 seems to me mere verbiage a mere metaphysical principle. 

 " My dear Sir, yours faithfully, " CH. DARWIN. 



" It will be a public benefit to bring out a translation." 



Then followed three letters, January 3rd, March 

 24th, and March 27th, 1878 ; the first written when 

 Darwin was sending another number of Kosmos, the 

 second when sending his photograph, the third en- 

 closing a letter from Fritz Miiller containing some 

 very interesting observations on mimicry in South 

 American butterflies. 



