To Johannes Peter Müller   10 February [1849]

Sir

I trust to your kindness to excuse the liberty I take in addressing you, which I do at the suggestion of D^r. Philippi.—¹ I am employed on a Monograph, Anatomical & Systematic on the Cirripedia & I have minutely examined almost every genus except Alepas. D^r Philippi informs me that he deposited specimens from Scicily of this genus with you at Berlin, & he thinks that you would be willing to assist me by allowing me to dissect one.—² If necessary I c^d return all the parts after dissection.— Should it be in your power, & you feel inclined, I sh^d be very grateful for the loan or gift of any specimens from out of the way localities. There is a small Scalpellum (or Pollicipes) from Scicily, which I have not seen:—³ Also Anatifa villosa⁴ from the Mediterranean, both of which perhaps may be in D^r Philippis collection.—

I find that the anatomy of the Cirripedia has been most imperfectly done; nearly all the most striking features in their organization having been overlooked.— Their classification is likewise a perfect chaos, as must be the case until the whole body of every species be examined, as I am now doing.— If you are willing to assist me with a specimen of Alepas (for which I am most anxious) or with any other specimens, you could send them directed to “C. Darwin Esq^e. 7. Park St^t.— Grosvenor Sq^re. London”.— If the parcel be very small you might perhaps send it through the ambassador, Ch. Bunsen,⁵ who has most kindly forwarded several parcels from me to Prof. Ehrenberg,⁶ to whom I beg to send my most respectful compliments.—

With my most sincere respect | I beg to remain | Sir | Your faithful servant and admirer | Charles Darwin To | Professor J. Müller