My Dear Sir,—

I received from Kew about a week ago some boxes with worm castings, no doubt sent by you; but I have found no memorandum enclosed.¹ Some of these castings from South India are quite gigantic, and others seem very extraordinary; but I have not as yet looked at all of them. There is also a bottle with worms in spirits. As on so many former occasions, you have taken infinite pains to oblige me, and the materials seem wonderfully complete. But I am very anxious for some information with respect to these specimens; and I hope no letter has miscarried, for this would be a very great loss to me.

I have almost finished printing my volume on expression, which will not be published until November. I will then send you a copy, in which you will see how valuable your observations have been to me.²

With very sincere thanks,—Believe me, Yours truly, | Ch. Darwin.

There is also a block of grey consolidated earth. Also a tin box with pellets like shot.