Darwin Correspondence Project

Down Farnborough Kent

Dec. 3d

Sir

I hope that you will excuse the liberty I take in addressing you.— I am employed on a monograph on the Cirripedia, recent & fossil, for the Ray. Soc.— I am very anxious to see as many specimens as possible.— I have now at my house numerous specimens from Mrss Bowerbank, S. Wood, Buckman & James de C. Sowerby &c; & a number are on their way to me from Prof. Steentrup of Copenhagen.— Mr John Morris writes to me that you have a Pollicipes from the Chalk, & he thinks that you would perhaps be so kind as to entrust it to me for examination. If you are willing to confer so great a favour on me, I shall feel very much obliged; & in that case, might I keep your specimen for a few weeks, for I want to compare as many specimen as possible together—& I hope soon to have several more sent me.—

If you send it, I shd think, if the specimen be not very heavy, registered by Post wd be the safest way, & I wd take the liberty of returning you the Postage— If by parcel, the direction shd be exactly as follows C. Darwin Esq care of G. Snow Nag's Head Borough London.—

I hope that you will forgive my having taken the liberty to ask so great a favour.—

I beg to remain | Dear Sir | Your faithful servant | Charles Darwin

Would you inform me if you know, from what part of the Chalk your specimen came?—