Sir

I heard sometime since from D^r. Dieffenbach that you wished for any substances likely to contain infusoria from the Galapagos Isl^ds & Tierra del Fuego.— I wrote to Dr. Dieffenbach for further particulars,¹ but not having heard in reply, I will forward immediately a packet containing such substances.— It would give me lively pleasure if anything I could send, should be of the slightest service to you.— Every little packet is labelled outside; & as they need not be returned, if they are useless to you, they will cost you only the trouble of reading the labels.— Should you want any further information about any of the substances sent, I shall be most happy to supply all I can.—

Two of the bottles & the majority of the parcels are from D^r. Hooker naturalist in the Antarctic expedition (the son of Sir W. Hooker), whom I applied to for earth from the roots of my plants which he is describing,² & besides such earth, he has sent earth, water & seaweeds from the Antarctic regions, in some of which when fresh, Infusoria were swarming— The seaweeds D^r. Hooker intends describing himself.—

I hope these Antarctic specimens will be useful to you.—

I can hardly venture to ask you to take the trouble, but sh^d any of these specimens prove of much interest, it would greatly gratify D^r. Hooker & myself to hear of their safe arrival to you.—

With the greatest respect | Sir | Your faithful & obliged servant | Charles Darwin

P.S. M. Baillière,³ the Bookseller, has undertaken to send the Parcel by Steam-boat, without charge to you, directed to the University, Berlin.