WCP1821

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Oct^r. 4th. 1894

Revd. R. Baron¹

Dear Sir

Thanks for your letter of Aug. 31st. just received. No doubt as you say, animals are sometimes brought together by saline springs, as in the salt-licks of N. America, but these are several other causes of the accumulation of fossils. Such are, extensive soft bogs in which year by years animals are destroyed, — lakes frozen over in winter by wh leading to many being drowned by the breaking of the ice when great herds are passing over, — and also by frozen rivers which often break up suddenly during the rise of water in early summer and engulfed [2] great numbers of animals which may be crossing over during the time. This happens even now every year in the great Siberian rivers.

Nov. <9>th

But the statement that the earth, at some former periods, contained more species than now, does not rest on these accumulations ^only but on the fact that, at certain geological horizons, there are found fossil many more species than now exist in the same regions. Thus, in the later Pliocene there were more species of deer in England than now exist in all Europe ; and the three species of Elephants in Malta; — the six horses, & 4 Elephants and numerous camels bisons & deer, in Post Pliocene North America! all [3] show this greater riches in species, & the same thing occurs in S. America & Australia.

After writing the first part of this letter I had an attack of inflammation of the eyes which prevented me from finishing it till now (Nov. 9th).

Should you have the opportunity of obtaining any bulbs, or tubers of orchids, from the temperate parts of Madagascar I should be much pleased to receive a few, as I amuse myself by cultivating a considerable number of curious & ornamental species both in garden & greenhouse. Tubers of terrestrial orchids are best packed in charcoal dust, in small boxes nearly airtight. I have [4] received them in good order both from the Cape & Australia when thus packed.

I have read your papers on the botany of Madagascar with great interest & have utilised them in the new Ed. of my Island Life. I have not seen your Geological papers as I am not a fellow of the Geological Society, but I will endeavour to see your last paper shortly.

With best wishes

Believe me | yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature] -