WCP2522

[1]

123, Harley Street, W.

Sep 27. 1913

Dear Sir

For some time I have been endeavouring to interpret the various incubation and gestation periods in oviparous & viviparous animals in terms of the principle of evolution. It seems to me that if our [2] interpretation of life be correct the evolutionist should be able by natural selection to explain the very various incubation and gestation periods and should be able to throw some light upon the fact that the gestation period of the highest [3] animal (man) is much shorter than that for some other mammals.

I should be glad if you would kindly let me know what you think about evolution and the incubation & gestation periods. One naturally would have thought that the highest animal [4] would have had the longest gestation period whereas the gestation period for man is as near as possible the same as that for the cow.

Yours very truly | James Oliver [signature]¹ M.D., F.R.S.. (Esq[?]),