From George Maw   9 January 1869

Dear Sir

I am looking forward to visiting Gibraltar. Tangiers & Tetuan & if I find it tolerably safe shall try & get as far south as Mount Anna (20 miles S of Tetuan & 7219 feet high) for the purpose of collecting plants & examining the geology. I also hope to visit the district N of Malaga.¹

I write this to say that if there is anything in the parts I am about to visit about which I can collect information that will be of use to you (as to local breeds of domesticated animals &c &c &c.) I shall be most happy to place myself at your service if you will name any points on which you require special observations (or specimens collected) I think I shall sail from Liverpool on the 3^rd. of Feby & be absent Five or Six weeks.

I have taken the liberty of forwarding for the favor of y^r acceptance a copy of a paper I have recently written on Ferruginous variegation.²

I am d^r Sir | yrs very truly | Geo Maw

C Darwin Esq^re

We have here a Tortoiseshell cat exhibiting rather curious characters   Her fur is almost as long as that of the long haired Persian or French, but there is no long-haired cat in the neighbourhood   the mother was a Tabby I think & all the other kittens of the same litter & succeeding litters were of the ordinary kind. If you would like to see her I shall be very happy to bring her up with me the next time I am in Town & can also ascertain all particulars as to her pedigree