Edwin Ray Lankester an Ernst Haeckel, London, 12. Juni 1871
June 12th
23, Gt Marlborough Street,
W.
My dear Professor Haeckel,
My friend Mr Herbert Watney brings this letter to you and two specimens of Aphroceras alvicornis. He is anxious to spend the summer in learning German in Germany and would also like to learn some Zoology and Comparative Anatomy. I am sure he would find your Zoological || Practicum very valuable to him and I hope you may be able to find him a place in it. He would like to find a German family with whom he could live in order to learn the language well.
The sponges I am fortunately able to send you as a small present. I found that no one in the British Museum knew about the Aphroceras except old Gray himself – he at once told me that new specimens have || lately received from the Cape of Good Hope perfectly identical with his Hong Kong species, and he told me where I could purchase a specimen – so you will find I hope – that the Aphroceras is as interesting as you expected. The two specimens I send appear to differ a little in outward characters. I have been hard at work all day with my class. Huxley desires his regards. The weather is bad here, but it did not rain whilst we had it so wet in Jena. With the warmest || remembrances & thanks for your kindness to me at Jena.
Believe me dear Prof. Haeckel
Most sincerely yours
E. Ray Lankester