Dear Sir

I am shortly going out to the East in the capacity of Naturalist (unpaid) to the “Rifleman” surveying vessel, with my friend Capt J. W. Reed— We shall proceed overland to Hong Kong & first do some business among the reefs in the China sea,¹ & I hope also to have opportunity of collecting among the islands of the East Indian Archipelago—²

I naturally recur to the “Journal of Researches” by yourself, & also to the problems held out for solution in the “Origin of species”, & I should be sorry to go without having first communicated with you—

I very much regret to hear from D^r. Hooker³ that your health is so very poor at present, & I can hardly hope for a personal interview with you, but should you wish to make any communication, or suggestion, I shall receive it with the greatest respect & pleasure, & shall indeed be very glad of any hint which your experience may enable you to give me—

My time is now limited—& although I could not move in the matter sooner, I find myself now within little more than a week of starting on my journey—

I shall have to run down to Liverpool for a few days to wind up my affairs there,⁴ & then I shall be able to devote the rest of my time to preparations for my voyage—

I am dear Sir | very truly yours | C. Collingwood

Chas Darwin Esq