WCP4236

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

July 22^nd 1909.

Dear Mr Cockerell¹,

I was very sorry to be obliged to put you off but hope to see you after your return from Switzerland.

You will understand my position when I tell you that I have to make or take 16 separate applications of lotions and ointments to the eye and medicines to the stomach per day, each involving some preparation and more or less irritation. I am glad to say [2] that there is now a slight turn for the better.

As you will probably meet several continental botanists during your journey I shall be glad if you will try to obtain for me a few statistical facts of the following nature. —

I want to know the number of species of flowering plants in various large or small areas such as Italy, Switzerland, any separate canton of Switzerland or any smaller area such as a few square miles around the residence of any local botanist who may have taken the trouble to make such an enumeration.

[3] I want these figures for a comparison with others I have obtained both in England and in various parts of the world, for the purpose of showing that there is a nearly uniform increase of species production from the poles to the equator, (roughly speaking) in accordance with the steady increase of more and more favourable conditions for the development of plant life. This is in connection with a somewhat novel and I think generally interesting view of the broader aspects of evolution for a book which I am now preparing².

[4] Almost any facts of the nature above indicated will be acceptable especially such as relate to very limited or small areas.

Wishing you success in your fossil-plant & insect-hunting, some of the results of which we should be much interested to see if you could bring a few for our inspection when you come.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]