Ɛpsilon

WCP2383

Letter (WCP2383.2273)

[1]

6 Haddo Villas

Blackheath, London

27 Octr. 1878

My Dear Mr Wallace

In reply to your inquiry of yesterday I think that I can quite satisfy your mind on the question raised. —

The [2] The larvae of Callimorpha Jacobaea feed on the leaves of the Senecio Jacobaea and when numerous entirely denude the whole of the plant of leaves. —

In 1877 I saw acres of ground where the plant was abundant — and covered with the larvae [3] of the insect in question, [illeg.] every plant defoliated and the larvae travelling over the ground seeking for food, they are not eaten by birds. — If I can assist you anent Epping Forest1 I shall be most happy to do so, but my knowledge of city people is very limited

[4] Believe me | My Dear Mr. Wallace | Yours very truly | J Jenner Weir2 [signature]

A R Wallace

1
Wallace had written to several people, asking them to sign a memorial (a statement of facts) in his favour in support of his application for the new post of Superintendent of Epping Forest.
2
Weir, John Jenner (1822-1894). British amateur entomologist, ornithologist and civil servant.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP2383.2273)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Ghosh, Susan [2018-08-15] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Please cite as “WCP2383,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP2383