To Edwin Lankester, Ray Society   19 March [1853]

My dear Sir

I am very sorry to say that it is impossible that I can be ready so soon as you seem to expect. I never before heard that you expected my volume by any particular time in the year, & the vast delay after my last volume was printed off, did not make me suppose that you were very particular as to exact time. I certainly expected (& perhaps stated so, though I cannot remember that I did) that I sh^d be ready early in the current year; but my work has taken me far longer than I expected, & I have lost time by frequent unwellness; but I can truly say that I have not been idle for a day.¹

Twenty Plates & the corresponding M.S. are all ready, but I find I must give at my own cost at least half-a-dozen more plates,² & these are not yet even drawn. I have also at least 6 weeks more dissection to do.³ Before going to press, I must have a few weeks rest, & I do not think I shall be able to send you my M.S. till the beginning of August:⁴ but I will & can make no other pledge, except that I will work every day without exception, on which I can.— I am heartily sorry if I have deranged the plans of the Ray Soc^y; but no exertion of mine could have prevented it. I always thought if my volume was printed in 1853, it w^d. suffice.—

Will you be so good as soon to inform me whether you will authorise M^r Sowerby to have 3 of the Plates struck off on account of their being coloured: you allowed me 2 coloured plates, & I am having 1 all coloured & 2 half Plates; & this M^r. S. tells me will cost only a few shillings extra.—⁵

Secondly, I find I cannot do without a few woodcuts:⁶ will you authorise my having them? & may M^r. Sowerby get them executed, as he will have to make the drawings on the wood. Be so kind as to let me have an answer to these queries.—

Pray believe me | Very truly yours | Charles Darwin

Your letter reached me only this morning the 19^th.—⁷ I must again say how sorry I am if I have caused much inconvenience to your admirable Society.