WCP3816

[1]¹

Pen-y-Bryn, St. Peter’s Road,

Croydon.

July 19th. 1880

My dear Sir Joseph Hooker²

I am promised next weeks the proofs of the two Chapters of my new book— "Island Life"³— which discuss the origin of the New Zealand Flora, and of the Arctic Elements in the Southern Floras generally. These chapters gave me some trouble and much pleasure in writing, but as they are entirely written on second-hand information— in great part from your works— there are sure to be many misconceptions [2] and errors of detail, which, even if they did not really affect my generally conclusions would certainly damage them in the opinion of botanists and even of science generally.

Knowing how much you must be bothered with official business I hardly like to ask you to read these chapters and point out the unavoidable errors, but perhaps you will be able to refer me to some botanist who has more leisure & the necessary acquaintance with the floras of New Zealand and [3] Australia, and who would, on your recommendation, oblige me by reading my proofs carefully.

If I did not really think that I had arrived at a solution which is a real advance on any thing yet published I should not venture to trouble you in the matter.

Believe me | yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

Sir Joseph Hooker C.B., F.R.S. &c. &c.