WCP2945

[1]

'Brooklands' – Milton-Otago N. Z.

18/6/09

A. R. Wallace Esq F.R.S. &c. &c.

Dear Sir,

I have to acknowledge with thanks receipt of your kind & interesting letter¹ of 17/4/09 forwarded to our new address as above. It is very gratifying to learn that you have been to the extents you mention successful in growing the Celmisia seed. I will tell Miss Reid,² the Florist, who packed them for me when I am in Dunedin which is only 36 miles north of this. I will also send your letter for perusal to M^r. Tannock,³ Corporation Gardener, & ask him to forward you the fresh seeds of the Ranunculus Lyalli I enclose a report of a lecture recently given in D’din by M^r. Tannock; also a cablegram re Lieut Shackleton⁴ in [2] which you will see he speaks of the extraordinary fascination of the Antarctic notwithstanding its forbidding climate. I notice by the cables that the Australian & N.Z. Press representatives are being well treated in the Old Country, a testimony to the power of the press in the present day. M^r. Fenwick,⁵ editor of the Otago Daily Times published in Dunedin, & one of the representatives, is a man of very high standing & ability; & the paper conducted by him reflects this character of its editor in every respect. A recent para: contained particulars of a meteoric stone which was seen to fall at in the North Island in 3 pieces. One piece weighed 4 1/2 lb; & struck the exposed root of a tree, the force of its impact making a hole 15 in deep in the ground: it is described as a greyish-black stone which has evidently been in a very heated condition. I have recently added to [3] my library: — "Worlds in the Making the Evolution of the Universe"⁶ by Svante Arrhenius⁷ Director of the Physico-Chemical Nobel Institute Stockholm translated by D^r. H. Borns:⁸ the 'Spectator' has noticed it very highly. The books stands in my shelves adjacent to your 'Man's Place in the Universe'⁹ & 'Is Mars habitable?'¹⁰ I will let you know what M^r. Tannock says about the Ranunculus, we could not apply to a better man.

With kind regards & renewed thanks for your letter[.]

Believe me | yours very sincerely | W. E. M^cAdam¹¹ [signature]