WCP4404

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

May 12th. 1896

My dear Poulton¹

I return your proofs.² There are a few points I should like modified. On slip 15. at foot "This is believed to be true" reads as if it was I who believed it to be true whereas I am giving the general belief of the time. "This is usually thought to be true" would I think be better. Again at foot of 16. "Any favourable var.… is utterly useless" — add "to itself" will make the meaning clearer.

On slip. 17 – par. 5 of chap XI. does not properly give my views as expressed in the paper. Though I used the [2] term "varieties" as contrasted with "species" in my argument, the whole context shows that I considered individual variations as being quite as important as did Darwin.³ My "Giraffe" argument, my references to changes of "colour", "hairiness", "shorter legs" of antelope, "less powerful wings" of passenger pigeon, — all show that I considered individ^l. variations as agents in the change. I used the term "varieties" because "varieties" were alone recognised at that time, individ^l. variability being ignored or thought of no importance. My "varieties" therefore included "individual variations". With [3] this exception I think your summary of my paper very good.

On slip 18. the quotation from L^d. Salisbury⁴ follows so closely to "Darwin’s real statements on the subject" — that hasty readers may take the passage for Darwin’s. I think you sh^d. insert "Lord Salisbury says" — or "Lord Salisbury’s statement is as follows": —

It is awkward too that this quotation is followed immediately by — "The joint papers"⁵ — which thus seems to have some connection with L^d. Salisbury! Would it not be better to put the quotation & [4] and the words introducing it in a footnote, — that is from "The following quotation". It will read better & be clearer.

I am just now beginning Exⁿ. Papers for Lockyer⁶ & Judd,⁷ for a fortnight. I have sent my "Utility of Specific Characters"⁸ paper to the Linnean, & it is to be read on June 18th. As it will probably be my last paper & appearance at a Scientific Society I shall try & get up to read it & hear the discussion, & hope you will be able to come & take part in it. I have not had time yet to read your locust paper.

Yours very truly| Alfred R. Wallace [signature]