To W. D. Fox   17 May [1855]

My dear Fox.

You will hate the very sight of my handwriting; but after this time I promise I will ask for nothing more, at least for a long time.— As you live on Sandy Soil, have you Lizards at all common? If you have, sh^d. you think it too ridiculous to offer a reward for me for Lizards eggs to the Boys in your school;—a shilling for every half-dozen, or more if rare, till you get 2 or 3 dozen & send them to me.— If snake’s eggs were brought in mistake it would be very well, for I want such also: & we have neither lizards or snakes about here.—

My object is to see whether such eggs will float on sea-water, & whether they will keep alive thus floating for a month or two in my cellar. I am trying experiments on transportation of all organic beings, that I can; & Lizards are found on every isl^d. & therefore I am very anxious to see whether their eggs stand sea water. Of course this note need not be answered, without by a strange & favourable chance you can someday answer it with the eggs.¹

Your most troublesome friend | C. Darwin