To Hugh Falconer   24 [June 1861]¹

My dear Falconer

I have just received your note & by good luck a day earlier than properly & I lose not a moment in answering you, & thanking you heartily for your offer of the valuable specimen; but I have no aquarium & shall soon start for Torquay so that it would be a thousand pities that I sh^d have it.² Yet I sh^d. certainly much like to see it, but I fear it is impossible.— Would not the Zoolog. Soc be the best place, & then the interest which many would take in this extraordinary animal would repay you for your trouble.—

Kind as you have been in taking the trouble & offering me this specimen, to tell the truth I value your note more than the specimen. I shall keep your note amongst a very few precious letters. Your kindness has quite touched me.—

Yours affectionately & gratefully | Ch. Darwin