WCP3542

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne

August 30th 1909

Dear Mr Deane

I am trying to get information from various sources as to the productiveness, in species of flowering plants, in various countries & climates, for the purposes of a book I am now writing, dealing with the fundamental factors of evolution, &c.

The South Western, or "Cape" region of S[outh] Africa, has long been considered by botanists to be among the richest, if not the very richest flora in the world, with its wealth of Heaths, Pelargoniums, Proteas, and of Orchises, Irises, and bulbous plants. It is also very well known.

But my exigencies so far seem to show [2] that many others, if as well known, would be quite as rich, and some even much richer. In Mr Bolus' work on the Orchids of the Cape Peninsula he says that Mr Fitzgerald obtained "within the radius of a mile, sixty-two species of orchids, a number that could not, I believe, be equalled in any other part of the world within an equal area." (Aust[ralian] Orchids p. 4)

This leads me to think that some areas in Australia may be richer than most, I shall therefore be very much obliged to you if you can give me any facts accessible to you, either from books, or from local collectors or botanists, as to the number of species in any definite area, from 4 or 5 square miles up to 400 or 500 square miles, or even larger.

[3] Perhaps the public reserve at Illawarra, has been well explored botanically & the number of sp[ecies] known. If so please send me with the Area. Also perhaps the "Botany Bay" district. Also, if available, any figures as to the Queensland coast forests either near Brisbane or in the more northern & more luxuriant tropical districts.

The extreme S[outh] West of Australia, such as the Peninsula of Albany, is always said to be wonderfully rich, and if that has been well explored by any resident botanist & a list published, I should very much like to have the total number of species and the extent of the area. I am in hopes you will [4] be able to afford me this information better than any one else, as you must know the literature of Australian Botany well, besides knowing most of the local botanists.

The subject is often treated as a mere "curiosity," but I believe it to be connected with the very basic principles of evolution.

Yours very truly, | Alfred R Wallace [signature]