Dear M^r. Darwin

I venture to ask your kind assistance in carrying out some cave-explorations in Borneo, which M^r. Everett, with whose name I think you are acquainted, is willing to undertake— He proposes to devote a year to the exploration, and estimates his expenses at about £370 which I have agreed to find for him— The produce of his work is in the first instance to go to the British Museum and any duplicates that they may not require will be allotted by a Comm^ee. The Royal Society has voted me £50 from the Donation Fund, and I hope to get a similar amount from the British Association, but there is still a large sum to raise by private subscription which I hope to manage—¹ I think that Huxley has already mentioned the subject to you, and I hope that you will not think me troublesome in thus making application to you—² It seemed to me too good an opportunity to be lost, but I cannot well bear the whole expense myself, though I do not like to go abegging. I suppose that you have seen Gaudrey’s new book with which I am sure that you will be pleased—³

Believe me | yours most truly | John Evans

Charles Darwin Esq LL.D. F.R.S.