Ɛpsilon

WCP3839

Letter (WCP3839.3758)

[1]1

Broadstone, Wimborne

Feby. 18th. 1906

The Director, the Royal Gardens, Kew.

Dear Sir2

I enclose a sample of about ½ oz of seed, just received from my friend, Mr. Edwin-Reed3 of Conception Chile. He is doubtful whether it is fertilised, but says no better is to be formed over 150 miles of Country where it formerly grew but is now almost extinct owing to sheep-grazing.

I shall be much obliged if you can inform me whether it [2] is fertile seed & is worth sowing. Mr. Reed has been trying for the last 2 years to get me some young seedlings, but says none are to be found owing to the sheep. It seems as if this wonderful plant will soon be totally lost.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. If you think the seed is good, I can send you more should you wish to receive it.4 A.R.W.

[3]5

[4]6,7

1
Round stamp of "ROYAL GARDENS – KEW 20.FEB.06.”
2
Prain, David (1857-1944). British physician and botanist; Director of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta 1898-1905. Director of Royal Botanic Garden, Kew 1905-1922. FRS.
3
Reed, Edwin (Edwyn) C. (1841-1911). British-born Chilean entomologist. Director of the Museum of Santiago, Chili.
4
In Thiselton-Dyer’s handwriting, “Yes!”.
5
In C. H. W.’s handwriting, “The embryos are well developed. C.H.W. 21-ii-06. —W. B. H.”
6
In Thiselton-Dyer’s handwriting, “Ansd 21.ii.06.”
7
In unknown handwriting, “Blue Puya”.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP3839.3758)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by Royce, Isobel [2013-04-08] Transcription checked by Catchpole, Caroline [2013-04-10] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Please cite as “WCP3839,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP3839