WCP4350

[1]

Frith Hill, Godalming

Oct[obe]^r. 20^th.1887

Dear Mr. Poulton

Many thanks for your most interesting papers. That in the Zool[ological] Proc[eedings] was very acceptable because I have given up taking them having no room for more books. It is very interesting to me to see how very generally the facts are in accordance with theory, and I quite agree with you as to the limitations of the theory, and am only surprised that the exceptions and irregularities are not more numerous than [2] they are found to be. The only difficult case — that of D[eilephila] Euphorbiae — is due probably to incomplete knowledge[.] — Are lizards and sea birds the only, or even the chief, possible enemies of the species? They evidently do not prevent its coming to maturity in considerable abundance, & it is therefore no doubt preserved from its chief enemies during its various stages of growth.

The only point on which I differ from you — as you know — is your [3] acceptance, as proved, of the theory of sexual colour selection, and your speaking of insects as having a sense of "the beautiful" in colour, as if that were a ^known fact. But that is a wide question requiring full discussion.

Many thanks for your suggestion about the lectures. I did not think of doing more than lecturing occasionally to Scientific & literary local societies. I have never given any systematic courses of lectures. I know nothing of the conditions or arrangements of your "University Extension Lectures"[.] Of course in those I should [4]¹ not ask for any other terms than those you give other lecturers.

I am obliged to be at home now, having builders &c at work, but if you have any circulars or programmes of your arrangements with lecturers I might be open to give a few after ‘Xmas. Many thanks also for your kind invitation which at some future time I may accept.

Yours very faithfully| Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

Edw[ar]d B. Poulton M.A.S.,