Lowne (author of an excellent book on the anatomy of the Blow-fly) (458/2.
"The Anatomy and Physiology of the Blow-fly (Musca vomitaria L.)," by B.T.
Lowne. London, 1870.) with a discussion very nearly to the same effect as
yours. His conclusions were drawn from studying male insects with great
horns, mandibles, etc. He informs me that his paper on this subject will
soon be published in the "Transact. Entomolog. Society." (458/3.
"Observations on Immature Sexuality and Alternate Generation in Insects."
By B.T. Lowne. "Trans. Entomolog. Soc." 1871 [Read March 6th, 1871]. "I
believe that certain cutaneous appendages, as the gigantic mandibles and
thoracic horns of many males, are complemental to the sexual organs; that,
in point of fact, they are produced by the excess of nutriment in the male,
which in the female would go to form the generative organs and ova" (loc.
cit., page 197).) I am inclined to look at your and Mr. Lowne's view as
specially valuable from probably throwing light on the greater variability
of male than female animals, which manifestly has much bearing on sexual
selection. I will keep your remarks in mind whenever a new edition of my
book is demanded.


LETTER 459. TO GEORGE FRASER.

(459/1. The following letter refers to two letters to Mr. Darwin, in which
Mr. Fraser pointed out that illustrations of the theory of Sexual Selection
might be found amongst British butterflies and moths. Mr. Fraser, in
explanation of the letters, writes: "As an altogether unknown and far from
experienced naturalist, I feared to send my letters for publication
without, in the first place, obtaining Mr. Darwin's approval." The
information was published in "Nature," Volume III., April 20th, 1871, page
489. The article was referred to in the second edition of the "Descent of
Man" (1874), pages 312, 316, 319. Mr. Fraser adds: "This is only another