"Last year I brought back with me from the island of Ceylon a male mongoose (defined in Brehm as..."

"Last year I brought back with me from the island of Ceylon a male mongoose (defined in Brehm as mungo). The animal is in good health and condition. As I am about to leave Moscow for some considerable time and cannot take him with me, I humbly request the Management to accept the animal from me, and to send for him today or tomorrow. The best method of transporting him would be in a small basket with a lid and a blanket. He is quite tame. I have been feeding him on meat, fish and eggs. I have the honour to be respectfully yours,"

- Anton Chekhov, "To The Management of the Moscow Zoo, 14 January 1892, Moscow"