WCP4348

Frith Hill, Godalming.

May 1st. 1886

Dear Mr. Poulton¹

Our friend Meldola² tells me that some year or two ^{(or more)} back Dr. Woodmason³ of Calcutta sent to the Oxford Museum a native drawing of a Mantis’ which closely resembled a flower. As I am getting up a set of lantern-slides illustrating the various phases of mimicry & protection for my lectures in America⁴ I should much like to have one made from this drawing. Meldola thought it would be w^d. be useless writing to Prof. Westwood⁵ as he is now almost past work & would probably know or remember nothing about the drawing & he suggested [2] my writing to Dr Woodmason for a copy of it. But this could involve much delay & might not succeed. It has occurred to me that you may probably have seen the drawing or, if not, may be able to get at it through Prof. Westwood’s assistant Curator. If so you would greatly oblige me by getting it photographed for a slide, & if you will order the negative to be sent to me I will get the positive made & coloured if you will kindly give me a note of the colour of the [3] different parts. Or if you have any one in Oxford who does these things it may be coloured from the drawing & I will gladly pay the usual charge.

Excuse me for troubling you, but as you are so much interested in the subject & are on the spot I thought you would probably assist me.

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