I am the sole occupant of the laboratory as of the house. But I rather enjoy the exclusive privilege of my own company, save so far as it is relieved by guinea-pigs. I have written a letter to 'Nature' which will furnish a little joke for you on Friday next.
I am sorry to hear poor old Parker[78] is dead. You did not know him, but he was a real good fellow, and hearty friend to me.
I enjoyed my three days in London very much. Went twice to the theatre, and one of the plays was 'Judah.' Mr. H. A. Jones gave me a box. Saw a great deal of the Pollocks; met Scott,[79] who asked me to let him put me up for Royal Society Club; played chess with G. R. Turner.
I have now got to work on my plants and guinea-pigs.
To Professor Poulton.
Geanies, Ross-shire, N.B.: July 16, 1890.
My dear Poulton,—I went to the tennis ground yesterday week, but, as I expected, on account of the rain, found nobody there.
I now write to ask you if you would have any objection to my borrowing with acknowledgment figures from your book for mine, supposing the publishers also consent. In particular figs. 1, 2, 6, 10, 40, and 41.
Having now read the book,[80] I may say how greatly it has delighted me. The whole is a wonderful story, and I congratulate you on the large share which you have had in adding to this chapter of Darwinism.
There is only one point I am not quite clear about, viz. pp. 213-215. It is doubtless an advantage to the parasites that the caterpillars should warn them off as having been already 'occupied.' But would not this be rather a disadvantage to the caterpillars—i.e. to their species? For in this way, it seems to me, a greater number of caterpillars would become infested than would be the case in the absence of such warning. Or is there any point about it which I do not understand?