WCP3579

[1]¹

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

Novr. 12th 1908

Dr J. Scott Keltie²

Dear Dr Keltie

Having now sent off the last proof of Dr Spruce’s,³ "Notes of a Botanist",⁴ to the printers, I am empowered by Spruce’s Executor⁵ to offer to the R. Geog. Society some of the unused MSS, & notes that I have had here the last two years.

(1) These are, a quantity of love "notes" in a Portfolio, on Tarapoto, East Peru, which were evidently prepared as the outlines or rather hints, for a volume on the subject, to be filled up from his memory. They would perhaps be useful [2] to any future traveller, with local knowledge, who might be able to obtain a few facts and hints from them.

(2) Several MSS. books of Meteorological Observations, made during his 14 years residence in S. America. There may be of permanent value, to supplement other observations.

(3) A considerable quantity of vocabularies of Indian languages – with portions of grammars, &c. and general information: apparently very carefully made.

It seems to me that there would be better ^preserved all together, if the R. G. S. is disposed to accept them, and keep them for the use of any workers at [3] the subject. I mean to make the fact known that they possess them, by including them in some Catalogue of Library or other suitable position. I should think the vocabularies, & the summaries of the Meteorological Observations – which Spruce had made apparently ready for the press – would be worth printing by the Society.

Shall I send you them for your inspection?

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace (signature)