WCP2919

[1]¹

Philosophical Institute of Canterbury,

Christchurch,

8^th. December, 1908.

Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, O.M.

Dear Sir,

I am directed by the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury², N.Z., to convey to you its heartiest congratulations on your receiving the Order of Merit. As a scientific body in a distant part of the Empire, it rejoices to think that a man of science may receive one of the highest distinctions that His Majesty the King can confer, and furtherm it rejoices that you yourself have been the honoured recipient.

It may be of interest for you to know that this Institute had, as one of its most active members, the late Capt. Hutton³, whose name is referred to so frequently in your works, and who was among the earliest to accept the truths of the principles of selection which you did so much to bring before the scientific world. This Institute is publishing shortly the report of a scientific expedition to the Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand which will have important bearing on those problems of distribution in this part of the Southern Hemisphere, to which you drew attention in your earlier works. We can assure you that your suggestive writings have exerted a marked and stimulating influence on the scientific work in this part of the world, particularly as affecting the question of distribution of plants and animals.

Yours faithfully, | R. Speight [signature] | Hon. Secretary.