To J. E. Gray 21 March 1856

My dear Gray,

I trust there will be no misapprehension about a very simple communication I made to Mr C. R. Smith touching a specimen of the nest of Vespa holsatica (as I presume) which he placed at my disposal. As we do not want it at Ipswich I suggested its being sent to you, & that he might say I told him to do this. He writes me word that he has written to you about stipulations as to how it shall be labelled. As I know he has had some sort of squabblings with the Museum & is not at all sparing in his vituperative epithets where he conscientiously (as I believe) fancies himself slighted or snubbed, he may not improbably have said something which may lead to your fancying that I approve of what he says. You have the case before you.

Yrs Ever truly

J. S. Henslow