To John Murray   14 May [1859]

My dear Sir

I highly approve of the specimen sheet. I am sorry to hear the Book will be so big. Moreover please observe that I estimated the last chapter at 3000 words. I have now written half & the number is this much, & I think the chapter will run into 6000 or 7000 words.— I am sorry for my blunder. This may make you put another line in each page.—

You may rely on it, that my extreme wish for my health sake to get the subject temporarily out of my head, will not make me slur over the proofs: I will do my utmost to improve my style.

I am rather alarmed at what you hinted in a previous note about proper period of publication: for I am very anxious to have it published as soon as can be, as to my knowledge two men are already writing more or less on subject, starting from the foundation of my Paper in Linn. Journal.¹ But as I do not know what proper periods are; how long it will take me to correct proofs &c. it is superfluous as yet to consider this. But I know I must be amenable to reason.

Please to observe that I shall be guided in number of copies which I take for private distribution by cost; so that I may not take the 100, perhaps only 50.

I shall send before long to you a simple diagram, which must be engraved on folding sheet on copper as it will have to referred to more than once.—²

Yours very sincerely | C. Darwin