Dear Sir

I hope that you will excuse the liberty which I take in writing to you. I am very anxious to examine and make experiments on the bladders on the floating leaves of Utricularia. Professor Dyer informs me that you perhaps will have it in your power, & would be so kind as to send me a living plant in a tin box by Post with damp moss, & which I hope that I might make to grow.¹

I formerly made many observations on Drosophyllum, but there are two points which I neglected to observe; & I find that they have lost all their plants at Kew; & Prof: Dyer again tells me that you were formerly most successful in its culture; & if you could spare me a plant it would be of great value.²

With apologies for this trouble, I remain dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin