My dear Sir

I happened to mention to M^r Macleay, who sails in a few days to Australia,¹ the plan, you told me the other evening, you had followed with success in catching pelagic animals, when the Ship has way on her.— M^r Macleay is particularly anxious to know the size of the mesh, & where he can obtain the kind of netting.—

I called the other day on Lady Herschel, & had hoped to have been enabled to have asked you this question; so I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in troubling you with this note, as I promised M^r Macleay—I would endeavour to procure from you an answer before I again saw him.—

Believe me | Yours truly obliged | Charles Darwin Friday 2^{d 2}

36 Grt. Marlbro’ St.