To John Stevens Henslow   [25 July 1844]

My dear Henslow

In looking through my collection, I stumbled upon some rusty wheat from the N. Bank of the Plata & it occurred to me, as you have been working at wheat,¹ that you might like to have the specimen, together with my rough notes, if not, the specimen & note can be thrown away together.

My more immediate object, however, in writing now, is to ask you to send me, if you can find quite easily the specimens, some bits of my Peat (with their country marked) for Ehrenberg. I am going to send another parcel to him. The specimens might be so small, that you could send them by Post.—

Did I give you a ball of white paint, with which the Fuegians colour themselves? if you can find it easily (& it is quite unimportant if you cannot) please to send me a little bit for the same end.²

I went to Hooker at Kew the other day³ & admired the place much. Young Hooker seems to be working away & making capital progress.—

I saw a circular from you there, from which I perceive you are at work on the state of the People, & great need there seems to be for this in your side, & indeed on all sides, of the country.—⁴ How I wish this house lay on the road to somewhere else, that we might have the chance of seeing you— we often regret on this one score having left London.

Ever yours | C. Darwin