Dear Sir

I was lately in London, & was informed by some one (as he believed) that you had already started.—² I then consulted M^r Sclater about the spare copy of your book, & he said he had just heard from D^r. Hartlaub (I do not know whether spelt rightly) the ornithologist, who much wanted a copy, & is a poor man, so I thought I c^d. not do than hand it to M^r Sclater to forward.—³ I hope that this will meet with your approval.—

The point for enquiry is a very trifling one, viz whether Camels, when they utter a loud & prolonged sound, with violent expiration (& I have read that when loaded or ill-treated, they scream or groan loudly)—whether at the moment they contract their eyelids & skin round the eyes, as if shutting them violently;—or whether they do this in any degree.—⁴ In the Zoolog. Gardens the Camels never make any noise, so that I cannot observe this little point.

With my thanks for your kindness I remain | Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin