Dear Sir

I hope that you will forgive the liberty which I take in writing to you & requesting a favour.² M^r. H. C. Watson³ has given me your address & has told me that he thought that you would be willing to oblige me.— Will you please to read the enclosed;⁴ & then you will understand what I wish observed with respect to the Bee Orchis. What I especially wish, from information which I have received since publishing the enclosed, is that the state of the pollen-masses should be noted in flowers just beginning to wither, in a district where the Bee Orchis is extremely common.—

I have been assured that in parts of Isle of Wight, viz Freshwater Gate, that numbers occur almost crowded together: whether anything of this kind occurs in your vicinity, I know not; but if in your power, I sh^d be infinitely obliged for any information.—

As I am writing I will venture to mention another wish, which I have namely to examine fresh flowers & buds of the Aceras, Spiranthes, marsh Epipactis & any other rare Orchis. The point, which I wish to examine is really very curious but it w^d. take too long space to explain.—

Could you oblige me by taking the great trouble to send me in an old tin cannister any of these Orchids, permitting me of course to repay postage.⁵ It would be a great kindness, but perhaps I am unreasonable to make such a request. If you will inform me, whether you have leisure so far to oblige me, I would tell you my movements, for on account of my own health & that of my daughter, I shall be on the move for next 2 or 3 weeks.—

I am sure I have much cause to apologise for the liberty which I have taken, & I beg leave to remain | Dear Sir | Yours faithfully | Charles Darwin

I have examined

Ophrys apifera & muscifera

Musk Orchis

Listera ovata

Neottia Nidus avis

Butterfly orchis

Cephalanthera grandiflora

Orchis Mascula, Maculata

Morio, conopsea, pyramidalis

None others grow here