My dear Sir

You will be surprised to hear so soon from me;¹ indeed, perhaps this letter will get to Copenhagen, before you do yourself.— On reflexion, I should be extremely much obliged to you, if you could lend me the Cirripedes, which you with so much kindness, offered me, as soon as you conveniently can. I have now got many valves of fossil Pollicipes in my house, & before returning them, I sh^d be particularly glad to compare them with Steentrup’s fossil species.—² I have now almost finished the Pedunculata, & shall soon commence with the Sessile species, so that upon the whole the present time would be the best time for me to examine your specimens.— I could return the fossil & recent Pedunculata first, & afterwards the Sessile species; paying the carriage of course to Copenhagen.— I sh^d be greatly obliged for any specimens which you could spare, & especially some from any arctic country.—

These specimens will be of the most essential service to my monograph, & I am sure I feel much indebted to your kindness in offering them to me.—

Pray believe me my dear Sir | Your’s very sincerely | C. Darwin

The parcel had better be directed thus (namely to my Brother’s House, & he will inform me of their arrival) C. Darwin Es^re 7. Park St^t.— Grosvenor Sq^re. London