When I left England I was not fully aware how essential a kindness you offered me when you undertook to receive my boxes.

I do not know what I should do without such head-quarters.

And now for an apologetical prose about my collection: I am afraid you will say it is very small, but I have not been idle, and you must recollect what a very small show hundreds of species make.

The box contains a good many geological specimens; I am well aware that the greater number are too small.

But I maintain that no person has a right to accuse me, till he has tried carrying rocks under a tropical sun.
I have endeavoured to get specimens of every variety of rock, and have written notes upon all.