such adaptation. Broadly speaking, the distribution of the nest-inhabiting
beetles is due to co-migration with the ants, though in some cases the ants
transport the beetles. Sitaris and Meloe are beetles which live "at the
expense of bees of the genus Anthophora." The eggs are laid not in but
near the bees' nest; in the early stage the larva is active and has the
instinct to seize any hairy object near it, and in this way they are
carried by the Anthophora to the nest. Dr. Sharp states that no such
preliminary stage is known in the ant's-nest beetles. For an account of
Sitaris and Meloe, see Sharp's "Insects," II., page 272.); or whether the
larvae pass through an early stage, as with Sitaris or Meloe, or cling to
the bodies of the females. This note obviously requires no answer. I
trust that you continue your most interesting investigations on ants.


(PLATE: MR. A.R. WALLACE, 1878. From a photograph by Maull & Fox.)


LETTER 389. TO A.R. WALLACE.

(389/1. Published in "Life and Letters," III., page 230.)

(389/2. The following five letters refer to Mr. Wallace's "Geographical
Distribution of Animals," 1876.)

[Hopedene] (389/3. Mr. Hensleigh Wedgwood's house in Surrey.), June 5th,
1876.

I must have the pleasure of expressing to you my unbounded admiration of
your book (389/4. "Geographical Distribution," 1876.), though I have read
only to page 184--my object having been to do as little as possible while