WCP2843

[1]¹

The Chestnuts

Shirley Warren

South[amp]ton

Jan. 2 [19]05

Dear Mr Wallace,

I was very glad to see from your writing, that you are well and still taking an interest in collections &c.

I cannot give you any very definite information at the moment. A year or two ago Messrs Deyrolle, fils.² sent me a very nice lot of things, from Goyaz[Goiás], which is as Central [2]³ as any Province, and being on the E[ast] and base of the Cordillera Grande & I think partly on the sources of the Aragua R[iver]. must be a most prolific country. These as far as my group went (Erotylidae[,] Cleridae & others) were not of a very new type; but nearly half were new species. Deyrolle did not give me the name of the Collector, but I must write to him soon, and I daresay he will furnish any information; for such a purpose as yours is.

Mr Fry⁴ I should think knows more about it than most, [3]⁵I do not often hear from him now, he is very old, and getting very infirm. I can write; if you give me a little time. Then the dealer Rosenberg,⁶ might know[.] He was collecting; but not near that part; It was in Ecuador (Paramba &c). It appears to me that it does not matter very much what part of tropical S. America you go to; so long as you can get living & transport and I shall suppose from the map of Goyaz, is a fair sized city and a good base.

[4]⁷ I will certainly call at Janson's⁸ & see Mr Birch's⁹things — I am rather overdone with material, & could get any quantity — You know I am trying to sell the greater part of Armitage's¹⁰ collection which he left me. I keep my own groups & Carabidae — Just now I am too busy with Executor's business & Trusteeships! & part of my family are obliged to be in the Riviera for a daughter[']s health. My hands are full. I should like to call on you a little later on.

Very sincerely yours | Henry S. Gorham [signature]

[5]¹¹ P.S. ____________________

'Lacerda', you will know the name I daresay, worked Bahia and sent lots of things. I don't know anything about him but could ascertain from Dr Sharp¹² & others. I don't know if he is alive, but I should personally prefer to see a lot from another province[.]

Janson ought to know all about these matters himself.

I have never got things from the Orinoca; why not send a man up there, for birds, [6] mammals, & insects with plenty of apparatus? Who would finance him — I am afraid there are few wealthy men buying beetles. A few small men; but no Frys or Saunders.¹³ Rothschild¹⁴ doesn't take our things; but I suppose butterflies always command a market. H.S.G.