From W. W. Reade   23 May 1868

Dear Sir

I will study your queries in Africa, & answer such as I am able—¹ Some may easily be answered: others require profound & concentrated observation—

I will write to you with great pleasure from Africa, & shall indeed consider it an honour if I am able to contribute any materials for your next work—

With regard to (1) I will mention at once that when passing through the Fans (Gabon country) who in that part saw a white man for the first time I was particularly struck by the amazement of one woman who held her mouth opened as wide (in proportion) as that of the hippopotamus at the Zoolog: Gardens—² Another person once took the attitude of a cricketer fielding out—body stooped—hands resting on upper part of thighs—I forget whether a man or woman— The usual exclamation of surprise in Equatorial Africa (w/ is Heigh! heigh! However my recollections are now five years old & I did not observe well then.

M^r Gabriel of Loanda³ told me that certain fowls there had black bones—

It would be of importance perhaps to specify the exact part of Guinea where you heard of the rams &c. If I do not visit such a part I m^t perhaps ascertain about it, or procure specimens. In case anything else s^hd occur to you, I will mention that I do not sail before Monday week

⁠⟨⁠    ⁠⟩⁠ thanking you for replying to my letter, & trusting it may not be trouble in vain I remain | Yours truly | Winwood Reade

In case you should write again would you mention whether measurements of limbs &c. are worth taking trouble about?