Walter Knight James an Ernst Haeckel, Colombo (Ceylon), 20. März 1883
Government Normal Institution
Colombo-Ceylon
Mar. 20th 1883
My dear Professor,
I received your letter of February 18th & was very glad to hear that the embryos arrived without being spoiled. It is kind of you to offer to repay expenses, but the expense was really very little. I collected them purposely as || a present for you and shall be amply paid if they are of any scientific value. I shall try in some time to send you an similar collection of embryos of the great lizard Hydrosaurus salvator, but anything else you require I will always endeavour to obtain for you.
It is very kind of you to offer to send me some of your works an offer which I willingly accept. I have read already your „History of Creation“ (English translation) & some others. I regret very much that you will be unable to || bring out the large work on the Natural History of Ceylon I hope that at some future time that you may yet be able to do it and that also you may be able to come back to Ceylon again.
Faithfully Yours
W. Knight James
(Principal & Government Inspector of Science)
P.S.
I have in the press a little book on the Botany of Ceylon which I have written in the Siṇhalese Language. I shall send you a copy as soon as it is published.