Ɛpsilon

WCP4004

Letter (WCP4004.3947)

[1]

5 Westbourne Grove Terrace,

London W.

Nov. 22nd. [1863]1

Dear Newton2

Many thanks for the Collocalia francica which seems to be only a variety of C. fuciphaga, but a good series of specimens are wanted to settle it.

Have you heard from Sir W. Jardine3 about the copies of the "Nomenclature Rules".4 They should be sent to all [2] really working naturalists if any good is to be done. At least 50 copies shd. be sent to the Secretaries of the Linnaean & Zoological Societies for distribution, or no good will be done. We want a general expression of opinion & several I have spoken to know nothing about it. Will you as a personal friend [3] of Sir W. J. & a member of the Committee write & ask to have the residue of the copies printed sent to London for distribution. I know at least a dozen working Entomologists & Conchologists who ought to have them. They should also be sent liberally abroad.

Arthur Adams5 who having written a long book on genera of shell6 has had to come to a decision on such questions [4]7 sticks up for the law of priority, without exceptions absolutely, & has almost converted me to the adoption of the Boddaertian names as a matter of principle.

Please take some steps in this matter.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

A. Newton Esq.

1
See note 7.
2
Newton, Alfred (1829-1907). British zoologist and ornithologist. Founding member of the British Ornithologists' Union.
3
Jardine, William (1800-1874). Scottish naturalist and ornithologist.
4
Jardine produced a revised version in British Association. 1863. Rules for Zoological Nomenclature by the late Hugh E. Strickland .... Authorised by Section D of British Association at Manchester, 1842. Reprinted by Requisition of Section D at Newcastle. Edinburgh: Neill.
5
Adams, Arthur (1820-1878). British physician and naturalist. Brother of Henry Adams.
6
Adams, Henry, and Adams, Arthur. 1858. The genera of recent Mollusca: arranged according to their organization. London: John Van Voorst.
7
In Newton’s handwriting, “A. R. Wallace, London. Nov. 22/33/63. Answered Nov. 24/63.” The letter has not been found.

Editorial information

Status: Edited (but not proofed) transcription [Letter (WCP4004.3947)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Brunnen, Claire [2012-05-30] Transcription checked by Catchpole, Caroline [2013-01-15] Transcription checked by Lucas, Paula18/04/2026 [2022-07-19]

Please cite as “WCP4004,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP4004