Dear Sir

M^r Tickel, the civil commandant of Badagry writes to inform me that two rams of the Guinea breed born on Feb^y. 10^th. showed horns on 6^th. of March.² This single observation from a man who is not an observer cannot be depended on of course, though useful to compare with other observations of a like kind. Alas! science has not penetrated to the Coast— If you care sufficiently about the matter to do so you might easily obtain a young ram & ewe from this colony for about £2 or less & my host M^r Heddle the leading merchant here, & a man of intellect (though not scientific) has promised to ship them for you, should you require them— His address is above—

I have just returned from the interior after an absence of five months & return tomorrow with the hope of discovering Source of Niger which is not far from here but in a very awkward locality— I shall be absent probably 3 months & if I can be of any use to you pray write & instruct me— I must confess that your queries about expression are too difficult for me to answer. I do not possess the faculty of seizing a fugitive change of feature especially when unprepared for it.

I saw a blue-eyed negress in the interior pure African, & not abnormal in respect of complexion &c. She was brownish but not more so than average of her tribe— Hilly country.

I remain | Yours truly | W. Winwood Reade

Charles Darwin E^sq