C. DARWIN.
I have taken up old botanical work and have given up all theories.
I quite agree about Howorth's paper: he wrote to me and I told him that we differed so widely it was of no use our discussing any point.
As for Galton's paper, I have never yet been able to fully digest it: as far as I have, it has not cleared my [pg 279]ideas, and has only aided in bringing more prominently forward the large proportion of the latent characters.
Down, Beckenham, Kent. October 20, 1872.
My dear Wallace,—I have thought that you would perhaps like to see enclosed specimen and extract from letter (translated from the German by my son) from Dr. W. Marshall, Zoological Assistant to Schlegel at Leyden. Neither the specimen nor extract need be returned; and you need not acknowledge the receipt. The resemblance is not so close, now that the fragments are gummed on card, as I at first thought. Your review of Houzeau was very good: I skimmed through the whole gigantic book, but you managed to pick out the plums much better than I did for myself. You are a born critic. What an admirable number that was of Nature.
I am writing this at Sevenoaks, where we have taken a house for three weeks and have one more week to stay. We came here that I may get a little rest, of which I stood in much need.—Ever yours very sincerely,
CH. DARWIN.
With respect to what you say about certain instincts of ants having been acquired by experience or sense, have you kept in mind that the neuters have no progeny? I wish I knew whether the fertile females, or queens, do the same work (viz. placing the eggs in warm places, etc.) as the neuters do afterwards; if so the case would be comparatively simple; but I believe this is not the case, and I am driven to selection of varying pre-existing instincts.