Ɛpsilon

WCP4033

Letter (WCP4033.3977)

[1]

The Dell, Grays, Essex

Sept. 27th. 1874

Dear Newton1

I should be glad to help to a discussion on Migration but am really afraid to exhibit my ignorance. I want to get information on the subject, but know not where to go. Is there no fairly good work or article on the subject?

If no discussion arises; I will write a letter to get it going, likewise I would rather look in & pick up any [2] stray ideas that may be thrown out.

I am happy to say I at length see my way to finishing my book on Geog. Dist. of Animals,2- not satisfactorily, for that is impossible at present, but still in such a way as to be useful.

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

[3] P.S. To make some of a discussion you might to have made a theory, good & bad, & pretended to be very sure about it; — then you would have found lots of opponents & hence a discussion. As it is you have well given us enough to discuss. A.R.W.

[4]3

1
Newton, Alfred (1829-1907). British zoologist and ornithologist. Founding member of the British Ornithologists' Union.
2
Wallace, A. R. 1876. The geographical distribution of animals; with a study of the relations of living and extinct faunas as elucidating the past changes of the Earth's surface. London: Macmillan & Co. Two volumes.
3
In Newton's handwriting, “A. R. Wallace, Sept. 27/29 /74. Answered Sept. 29/74.” The letter has not been found.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP4033.3977)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Campbell, John [2012-08-15] Transcription checked by Catchpole, Caroline [2013-01-15] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Please cite as “WCP4033,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP4033