Ɛpsilon

WCP2347

Letter (WCP2347.2237)

[1]1

Encyclopedia Britannica

Edinburgh St: Andrews.

22. Feb. 1877

Dear Sir,

May I ask whether you could undertake an article on Distribution (of life animal & vegetable) in time & space for the new Edition of the Ency: Britannica.2 The article should I suppose give in outline, (so far as our knowledge goes) the chief zones and Eras of life on the Globe, with the conditions & forms of existence of each period. It must of course [2] be a mere sketch, but as it is a subject you have specially studied you might be able to give such a sketch without much difficulty. On hearing from you I will write more in detail. But as the [3 words illeg.] I should be obliged of an answer at your early convenience.

very truly yours | Thos: S Baynes3 [signature]

Alfred R. Wallace Esq.

1
In pencil in ARW’s handwriting, “Answd.”.
2
ARW, with William T. Thiselton Dyer contributed ‘Acclimatisation’ and ‘Distribution-Zoology’ for the Encyclopedia Britannica (Jan. 1878), vol. 7: 267-290 (pp. 267-286 by Wallace; pp. 286-290 by Thiselton Dyer).
3
Baynes, Thomas Spencer (1823-1887). British philosopher, editor and teacher of philosophy.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP2347.2237)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by Ghosh, Susan [2015-06-24] Transcription checked by Benny, Ruth [2015-06-24] Transcription checked by Sherwood, Danni [2020-08-10] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Please cite as “WCP2347,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP2347