John Curtis

“ I know not if I ever told you that I had undertaken to describe the insects collected in Captain King's survey of the Straits of Magellan, but they occupy some of my leisure moments and I have now got them into order and have labelled the whole so that I know from what place each specimen cameo Mr. Walker has kindly undertaken to describe the Diptera and I wish to ask you if you would like to undertake the Hymenoptera, there are not so many species, Ichneumonidae, ants, wasps and bees. ”

“ I suppose. Thanks for the additions to my Guide, I have only had time to examine the- and Pompili at present. You will see in my addenda appended to the last number of B.E. what has happened respecting Helcomyza ustulata and it only proves how dangerous it is to supply names to insects unpublished and undescribed especially without knowing the author. On referring to my 5th volume of Meigen I see under actora I had written in pencil Helcomyza? but my genus was published two years before I have recieved that volume therefore it is not my error although my work is blemished and suffers by it. ”

“ I am extremely obliged to you for the Ichneumonidae which I shall place in my cabinet, 2 or 3 of these are valuable acquisitions and I will send you a few insects which I hope will prove acceptable. Will you be kind enough to look again at your Lucina fasciata for I fear it is not that genus and if not what is it? Dale and Walker were much pleased with their insects, I sent 20 species to the former and 11 to the latter Gent: and Mr. ”