left Funchal, & too late for me to procure another pair (of really wild ones) alive,—sic transit gloria mundi!—

I was very much vexed about this; however it could not be helped, & I have put them (being full grown) into spirits (along with the other pair, which were shot for me by a friend), & I trust that they will not be altogether useless to you.² I was sorry that I was not able to get even the others prepared, after all: so that everything I have for you is in pickle. The brace of P^o. S^o. rabbits (+ an eel,—M^r. Lowe’s offering to you, though in reality found by me in a stream in P^o. S^o., I having given it to him)³ are in a small cask; &, in addition to these, I have got you a bottle of Frogs (from Madeira proper, & which have been introduced into the island within 50 years, though whether from the Canaries or England appears to be doubtful,—a point however which the species will probably prove), which have increased so prodigiously of late years as to have become a literal nuisance. I do not know whether they will be of any use to you; but as I remember your remark aboutthe general absence of the Frog family (as however aborigines, I am aware) inislands far removed in the oceans, I thought perhaps you might like to have some.—⁴ If you will kindly tell me how I am to forward the cask & bottles to you, I will