WCP2341

[1]

Buecleuch Road

West Dulwich

SE

Aug 20. 1876

Dear Sir,

Having read with the greatest pleasure & advantage your two books on "Geographical Dist. of Animals"¹ & noticing your request for contributions from any working naturalists, I have thought that the following few notes might prove of interest to you.

The Palaearctic fauna of Eastern Siberia, more particularly in the Amoor district is strikingly shown in the Lepidoptera in such insects as P. Cardui, & Urticae f. 20 &c. which species I have received from that region & differ in no modification from our Eng forms – Several catalogues of the Lepidoptera of that country have been published, one of which by "mene[illeg.]” is now before me, & a reference to which will show the presence of many of our old Eng friends.

In Lepidoptera again Madagascar [2] shows a Malayalam affinity in the possession of a species of Hestica.

I have been much impressed with your argument as to the submergence & upheaval of the Malayan Islands. As an instance of how this continues to take place, when in Penang a few years ago, I heard of a law-suit arising out of this very phenomenon. The merchants there had rented land for their godowns (the name I need hardly remind you for warehouses) to the sea beach, so that they might ship their goods direct by means of cargo boats from their godowns to the vessel in the harbr – But "the sea had receded" as it was described to me, & consequently their shore frontage had increased – Naturally they had to extend then wharfage over the now upheaved or risen land, & for this the government had claimed an extra rent. I need hardly describe the nature of the island of Penang, knowing that you visited it yourself.

I remain, Dear Sir, | yours very truly | W. L. Distant² [signature]