To W. B. Tegetmeier   28 March [1861]¹

My dear Sir

I am in truth grateful to you for so frankly & kindly acquiesing in my proposal & request.² My M.S. will not be ready for a considerable time, as I work abominably slowly from many reasons.—

I can see that I shall have many points to investigate; & as you have opportunity you can investigate them; & I will have no scruple in asking, as you with real & true kindness will allow me to make up for your loss of time. You will have to endeavour to give me some idea of how much time I cause you to lose.—

Hearty thanks for what you have already done & written about Rabbits & Malays.— In rabbits my skeleton work has much interested me.— I am glad to hear that you are going to write on Hen-tailed cocks.³ By an odd coincidence, yesterday I was thinking of an experiment which I sh^d. like to see tried, viz to cross a cock Hamburgh Hen-tail & Seabright Hen tailed-Hen,⁴ & see whether the Hen-tail w^d be inherited under such trying circumstances; & likewise to see effect on colour of chickens.— I would gladly pay all direct & indirect expences, but I know it is very troublesome with poultry to make such crosses, & so hardly worth while. I would do it myself; but I have more experiments with plants in Hand, than I fear with my poor health I can attend to.—

With cordial thanks | Yours sincerely | C. Darwin

If you do not hear, you will understand that your skulls have come safe.—

The skulls have arrived & Live Rabbit—⁵ Cordial thanks—