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I leave him only six out of our usual staff of assistants.
In the second place, I intend to make a special study of the habits, metamorphoses, anatomy, etc., of the Amazonian fishes.
Finally, I dream sometimes of an ascension of the Andes, if I do not find myself too old and too heavy for climbing.
I should like to see if there were not also large glaciers in this chain of mountains, at the period when the glaciers of the Alps extended to the Jura .... But this latter part of my plan is quite uncertain, and must depend in great degree upon our success on the Amazons.
Accompanied as I am with a number of aides naturalistes, we ought to be able among us to bring together large collections, and even to add duplicates, which I can then, on my return, distribute to the European Museums, in exchange for valuable specimens.
We leave next week, and I hope to write you from Rio a letter which will reach you about the date of my birthday.
A steamer leaves Brazil once a month for England.
If my arrival coincides with her departure you shall not be disappointed in this.
With all my heart,
Your Louis.
