My Dear Sir

Our thoughts about the Index jumped together, as they say, as you will perceive by the enclosed from M^r Dallas²—to whom I wrote 2 days ago— By this post I send you his Specimen—³ Will you address him direct at York to save loss of time? I hope he is working to your satisfaction.

Here is a matter wch may interest you—not a “Cock & a Bull” but an Ass & a Bull— I have a MS journey in Asia Minor—the writer of wch a respectable American Missionary⁴—met with the offspring of these two animals & has made a drawing of the specimen & states that it is of common occurrence in that country.

I must confess—I do not believe it & if you do not—I shall advise the author to suppress the phenomenon

I sh^d like to know what opinion you entertain, & whether you are acquainted with any such instance of extra-breeding

I am | My Dear Sir | Yours very faithfully | John Murray

Chas Darwin Esq