I am incredibly honoured to have been invited to give a lecture at Down House, the home of none other than that icon of Natural History , Charles Darwin. I am even more honoured that they have asked me to lecture on that other icon of evolution..Alfred Russel Wallace. The two men are forever linked as the joint authors of the theory of evolution. As an arachnologist I shall be talking on our search to prove that both Darwin and Wallace collected spiders on their travels.

A truly fantastic day at Down House yesterday. My lecture was very well received by the staff and volunteers and we were made most welcome by all. Special thanks to Moira, Kim and Anthony and the lovely lady (whose name sadly has escaped me) who showed us around the greenhouses. My lecture was on “The Search For Wallace’s Spider “. It was an absolute privilege to be able to lecture in the place that the great Charles Darwin once walked and sat pondering the mysteries of life. You simply have to visit this special place. I hope to return soon to give another lecture.

Ray in full flight…

A new species?

Darwins Greehouse

The Sandwalk at Down House