WCP1532

Singapore

31^st Oct[obe]^r 1857

My dear Wallace

Before I quit Singapore for England I must tell you that your papers¹ on the Orangs turned up, after my letter had been dispatched— I agree in your conclusion of the ridge on the cranium being attributable to individual peculiarities, but on the whole before coming to any positive conclusion on the number of species it will [2] be advisable to wait for more facts and a larger field of investigation. Your collection was made in [illeg. word crossed out] a limited space of country and should not therefore be held conclusive as appli settling the general question— Here for instance is the measurement of a Mias killed by my nephew C[harles]. Johnson², with his remarks —

"September 3^rd 1857

"Killed female Orangutan[;] "Height, from head to heel 4^f[t] ″6^i[n] [3] "Stretch from finger to finger (across body), 6″ 1[inch][.] Breadth of face including callosities, ″11[.] Callosities large — middle aged animal — hair reddish brown, thick and shaggy, with beard, and hair on the upper lip."

He added that the callosities were hard, ie as hard as the gristle of a man’s nose— The head I will direct to be sent home when cleaned. This points from size alone to a distinct species — however I have not time to discuss—

[4] I wish you very well and happy— I am neither very the one or the other at present and suffering the consequences of follies long passed[.] — Change I hope will do me good and if England suits me not I shall take refuge on the Continent—

Write me whenever you feel inclined you know it affords me pleasure to hear from you and of your success —

Believe me | yours very sincerely | J Brooke. [signature]

A Wallace Esq.