Darwin Correspondence Project

Down. | Bromley. | Kent. S.E.

April 13th

My dear Sir

I have been so long familiar with your name, that I trust you will excuse me addressing you, as if we were acquainted.

Several years ago I presented to the College the skull of the Niata Ox. This day I received a letter from M. Quatrefages, asking me, if I possibly could get for him a photograph of this skull, or a cast for the Museum.—

Would it be possible to make so huge a cast & would it not be very expensive? Will you have the great kindness to assist M. Quatrefages & greatly oblige me.—

Do you know any photographer & could you get a photograph (I presume side & front view would be necessary) made. If you will take this trouble I shd. be very much obliged. Perhaps, also, you can give me some information about a cast: if permission were granted & it could be made, I think I had better give M. Quatrefages some idea of cost. He could judge best after seeing Photographs.— I hope that you will forgive me thus troubling you. I would have come to London; but my health is so indifferent that this is no slight fatigue to me.—

My dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin.