To Robert Fitch   3 December [1849]

Sir

I hope that you will excuse the liberty I take in addressing you.— I am employed on a monograph on the Cirripedia, recent & fossil, for the Ray. Soc.—¹ I am very anxious to see as many specimens as possible.— I have now at my house numerous specimens from M^rss Bowerbank, S. Wood, Buckman² & James de C. Sowerby &c; & a number are on their way to me from Prof. Steentrup of Copenhagen.— M^r John Morris³ writes to me that you have a Pollicipes from the Chalk, & he thinks that you would perhaps be so kind as to entrust it to me for examination.⁴ If you are willing to confer so great a favour on me, I shall feel very much obliged; & in that case, might I keep your specimen for a few weeks, for I want to compare as many specimen as possible together—& I hope soon to have several more sent me.—

If you send it, I sh^d think, if the specimen be not very heavy, registered by Post w^d. be the safest way, & I w^d take the liberty of returning you the Postage— If by parcel, the direction sh^d. be exactly as follows C. Darwin Es^q care of G. Snow Nag’s Head Borough London.—

I hope that you will forgive my having taken the liberty to ask so great a favour.—

I beg to remain | Dear Sir | Your faithful servant | Charles Darwin

Would you inform me if you know, from what part of the Chalk your specimen came?—