I have been particularly glad to read about the birds’ nests, and I must procure the Intellectual Observer; but the point which I think struck me most was about its being of no use to the Heliconias to acquire in a slight degree a disagreeable taste.  What a curious case is that about the coral snakes.  The summary, and indeed the whole, is excellent, and I have enjoyed it much.—­With many thanks, yours very sincerely,

CH.  DARWIN.

* * * * *

9 St. Mark’s Crescent, N.W.  Wednesday, [August or September, 1867].

Dear Darwin,—­I am very sorry I was out when you called yesterday.  I had just gone to the Zoological Gardens, and I met Sir C. Lyell, who told me you were in town.

If you should have time to go to Bayswater, I think you would be pleased to see the collections which I have displayed there in the form of an exhibition (though the public will not go to see it).

If you can go, with any friends, I should like to meet you there if you can appoint a time.

I am glad to find you continue in tolerable health.—­Believe me yours very faithfully,

ALFRED R. WALLACE.

What do you think of the Duke of Argyll’s criticisms, and the more pretentious one in the last number of the North British Review?

I have written a little article answering them both, but I do not yet know where to get it published.—­A.R.W.

* * * * *

76-1/2 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, W. October 1, 1867.

Dear Darwin,—­I am sorry I was not in town when your note came.  I took a short trip to Scotland after the British Association Meeting, and went up Ben Lawers.  It was very cold and wet, and I could not find a companion or I should have gone as far as Glen Roy.

My article on “Creation by Law,” in reply to the Duke of Argyll and the North British reviewer, is in the present month’s number of the Quarterly Journal of Science.  I cannot send you a copy because they do not allow separate copies to be printed.

There is a nice illustration of the predicted Madagascar moth and Angraecum sesquipedale.

I shall be glad to know whether I have done it satisfactorily to you, and hope you will not be so very sparing of criticism as you usually are.

I hope you are getting on well with your great book.  I hear a rumour that we are to have one vol. of it about Christmas.

I quite forget whether I told you that I have a little boy, now three months old, and have named him Herbert Spencer (having had a brother Herbert).  I am now staying chiefly in the country, at Hurstpierpoint, but come up to town once a month at least.  You may address simply, “Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.”

Hoping your health is tolerable and that all your family are well, believe me, dear Darwin, yours very faithfully,