My dear M^r Cupples

A servant shall be at King’s Cross on Tuesday 8^th. at 9 a.m. ready to receive the precious animal.² He shall then take him to some inn & give him water & let him loose for a short time in a stable, & then bring him here at once. So please direct C. Darwin “to be called for”.— We are all infinitely obliged for this valuable present & for your most clear instructions which we will endeavour to keep to the letter.

You have been most kind to take so much trouble in giving us such full particulars.

With many thanks | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin

Is the Hamper worth returning? or will you not let me pay for it?

Thanks about the Perch: I cannot but suspect some error; though Serranus is an ally of the Perch & has often been said on good authority to be an Hermaphrodite, but D^r Günther does not believe even in this case, except as an abnormality—³