WCP4385

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Dec^r. 15th. 1890

My dear Poulton¹

I really do not want to give you any trouble, but if it will not put you out of the way I shall be obliged if you could look at the "Pillischer" with 1 in & 1/6th objectives, & the "Beck’s Universal" — at Baker’s.

Mr J. Walter Gregory² of the Natural History Museum, was here last week & he says that Beck’s "Star" Microscope is now extensively used by Students & that the lenses are wonderfully good for the price.

Unless therefore the instruments at [2] Baker’s are really very good I had perhaps better have one of Beck’s new "Stars".

I received the other day a copy of the "Revue Scientifique" with an article by M. A. Giard³ on "L’Hérédite des modifications Somatiques".⁴ — It seems to me however a very weak opposition to Weismann.⁵

I am now reading Lloyd Morgan’s⁶ "Animal Life and Intelligence"⁷ which seems a very thoughtful work with a good grasp of the subject. He criticises Weismann’s theory but upholds the non-heredity of acquired variations, — but I have not yet [3] read the whole book. He says he criticises me also, — I expect on Sexual Selection.

Yours very faithfully| Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. Thanks for congratulations as to Darwin Medal.⁸ (I think you ought to have the next one).

A.R.W.