My dear Sir

The enclosed letter eminently deserves to be published in Nature.² It ought to be divided into 4 paragraphs, as marked by me.—

The first relates to a curious, but not quite new case: You must decide whether the Photograph of the Frog with the mass of tadpoles on its back can be given as a wood block.—³

The sketch relating to the 3^d paragraph certainly ought to be engraved. I have written a few words of introduction to the letter, which you can print if you think fit or burn if too long.—⁴

I am puzzled about reading & spelling the families of certain insects mentioned. If you were to send a proof M^r M^cLachlan at Lewisham, he w^d at once be able to correct the spelling.—⁵

I am not well & I know not in the least when I shall return home. Therefore if you can get proof corrected without my aid, I sh^d. be glad.— Perhaps here & there a few words will require being Englefied.⁶

My dear Sir | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin

Will you kindly send me a duplicate copy of Nature that I may forward to F. Müller— So you see I boldly assume that you will publish letter.—

March 6^th

I have returned home.— Pray excuse me for not rewriting this note.

I think the best plan will be to send me proof with original letter after the woodcut, or the wood-cuts have been made, & I will forward proof & original letter to M^r M^cLachlan.⁷ This will save you trouble.— C. D