Dear Jenyns

I have been intending for some time to write to you to ask some fishy questions, & to tell you that there has been a delay of a month in the publication of the present number, but I have been for the last month so uncomfortable from unwellness, that I have thought of nothing & done nothing, which I ought to have done.— Owen was unable to complete the last no of fossil Mammal: by the end of this month & I too unwell to bring out a number of birds so that it has been delayed till 1^st. of April—& the next will be 1^st of June;— then August &c &c.— Shall you have a number ready by 1^st of June?— I really forget whether you agreed to be ready— everything has been driven out of my head.—

It will be a great convenience to me if you are able; & then the last of birds shall appear on 1^st. of August.—¹

Pray send me a single line.— How have you been this winter.— What detestable cold weather it has been of late— it has been killing me by inches.— I saw Henslow a few days since.— He was looking very well & growing fat.—

Believe me dear Jenyns | Yours most truly | Chas. Darwin—

P.S. I hope you received your extra copies of the Fish—² I think the number looks uncommonly well. — Several people have approved of it much—& amongst the rest Owen.— It is good work & will stand its ground, which I wish I could say for my confounded pretty birds