My dear Sir

I am extremely much obliged to you for the Balani in the Gorgoniæ:¹ I know only four species of this form and habit; one American and so out of the question, and by a strange chance your lot includes all 3 other kinds, which differ very materially from each other. One of them is so rare that I have never seen but one specimen and that without any habitat;² and I did not know at all certainly the habitat of another, so your specimens are extremely useful to me. I presume that the two larger separated specimens in yellow Gorgoniæ³ came from same habitat: if they did not, will you kindly inform me; but if I do not hear, I will assume that all come from the same place, viz., near Madras.

I have lately received from Van Voorst your Flora of the Eastern Borders:⁴ I have looked at parts with much pleasure; you will, perhaps, think it odd, but I was particularly charmed with the Preface; its style called up to my mind the writing of old and best authors: I look forward with interest to the Zoological Part,⁵ which is more in my line.

Pray believe me, with many thanks My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin.