Dear Sir

I fear that you will think me a sad trespasser on your kindness & forbearance, when I tell you that I have not actually completed my description of Loricula;² but I shall do it directly & write now to obtain your permission to take (myself) your specimen to M^r. James De C. Sowerby³ to ⁠⟨⁠be⁠⟩⁠ drawn for publication by the Palæontographical Society.— I have received M^r Flowers⁴ specimens, & some from Denmark but none are related to the Loricula, which is as perplexing as ever to me.—

Immediately that M^r Sowerby has with your permission figured the Loricula (& I shall take it up in a fortnight) it shall be returned to you.—

Is there any safe place where I could leave it in London for you, or shall I return it by a messenger?—

I believe I did once before ask you, whether you have any other fossil Cirripedia.—

To save you the trouble of answering, I will assume, without I hear to the contrary that M^r Sowerby may figure it.—

With my best thanks | I remain dear Sir | Your’s faithfully | C. Darwin

I assure you that it has not been idleness which has delayed me, but numbers of specimens of other fossil