The Homosexual Matrix the most novel account of the way in which behavioral expression communicates internal states since Charles Darwin's "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals" (1872), but considered his most original contribution to be his explanation of how erotic feeling depends on "resistance", which might consist of any of several impediments to easy access to sexual satisfaction. Begelman called Tripp a skillful writer who was learned on the subject of homosexuality, but whose objectivity was nevertheless open to question. Karlen wrote that Tripp made numerous unjustified claims, such as that homosexual men tend to have a larger than average
The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms went the less controversial direction of the lowly worm. His network of correspondents and fans responded to his interest and "earthworm anecdotes began surfacing in his mountain of mail". He had been interested in earthworms "since his first fishing days at The Mount and flirting days at Maer". Still, other work constrained him. Broken off from "Descent", he had to finish his next work "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals". By 1876, with his first grandson on the way, he felt his writing life was nearly over, with so much unfinished. He wanted to write on earthworms