WCP2344

[1]¹

Sir

In your introduction to your valuable & interesting work² which I have just read, you solicit any observations on the subject of your Book which may be likely to be of use to you in any future edition. With this view tho’ of course, proby in small degree I take the liberty of forwarding my Paper on the correlation & distribution of fossil Insects in which I will you will see that no fossil Insects have as yet been focus in the Cretaceous rocks Of Aix le [2]Chapelle & that in such a statement Mr Butler made a mistake, probably meaning Aix in Provence a more recent Formation of Eocene age This w^d. correct what you have said on this subject at p 167 vol 1. I cannot say whether any thing else in my Paper wil be of service, fact is I am glad to see that you give more value & weight to fossil Insects than most of our Palaeontologist do & who really know little [3] or nothing about them. I flatter myself you may find some interesting matter on the above[.]

Paper & I shall feel much gratified if it sh^d. interest you[.]

I beg to remain | Sir | yrs obedtly | P. B. Brodie³

Vicarage, Rowington, Warwick

Nov^r. 22, 1876

A. Wallace Esq.

[4] P.S. Mr Scudder⁴ informs me that, many interesting & well preserved insect remains have lately been discovered in Tertiary strata in America, which he thinks will rival, if not surpass the famous quarries at aix in France. Now unfortunately closed.

There is of course no reason why insects sh^d. not be discovered in the Cetaceous rocks of La Chapelle for we usually find them more or less associated with Plants & they may turn up any day. The wonderful flora too, discovered at Spitzbergen &c, w^d. lead us to expect traces of Insects there also & I believe a few Elytra of Coleoptera have been found.