My dear Häckel

Many thanks for your very kind letter of July 2^d.² I first wrote to Huxley, to whom I found that you had applied;³ & then to Albany Hancock, who says he sh^d. have been most happy, but has never collected calc. sponges. He says he could give you 2 or 3 species of the burrowing Cliona; if these w^d. be of service.—⁴ I then applied to the Rev^d. A. M. Norman & enclose his answer.—⁵ You had better write direct to him, as this w^d. please him; but you could (if you have to write to me) enclose one for him & I could stamp & forward it.—

Do not forget to say how specimens could be forwarded. The man who has most specimens is “J. S. Bowerbank Esq^r F.R.S, East Ascent, St. Leonard’s-on-sea”;⁶ & I daresay he w^d. send you specimens, if you were to write to him; but I do not much like to do so.—

What an indomitable worker you are!— I hope you will reap the richest reward possible by making more fine discoveries. You will soon be ranked (not that you will care much about that) amongst the few first naturalists in Europe: already I see your works more & more quoted, in England, Italy & U. States.

Once again many thanks for your very pleasant letter & believe me | Yours most sincerely | Ch. Darwin