WCP4409

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

June 13^th. 1897

My dear Poulton

I send you the Paper on Pieridae which I suppose is what you want. I have it in the J[ournal of the] Ent[omological] Soc[iety].

The rate of deposition might be modified in an Archipelago, but would not necessarily be less than now, on the average. On the ocean side it might be slow but wherever there were comparatively narrow straights between the islands it might be even faster than now because the area of deposition would be strictly limited. [2] In the seas between Java and Borneo & between Borneo and Celebes the deposition may be above the average. Again; during the development of Continents there were evidently extensive mountain ridges & masses with landlocked seas, or inland lakes, & in all these deposition would be rapid. Anyhow, the fact remains, that there is no necessary equality between rates of denudation & deposition (in thickness) as [3] Geike has assumed.

I was delighted with your account of Pritchard’s¹ [sic] wonderful anticipation of Galton & Weismann! It is so perfect & complete. It came when I was doing Exam[ination] papers or I should have written to thank you for it. It is most remarkable that such a complete statement of the theory and such a thorough appreciation of its effects and bearing, should have been so long overlooked. I read Pritchard [sic] when I was very young, & have never seen the book since. His facts and arguments are really [4]² useful now, and I should think Weismann must be delighted to have such a supporter come from the grave. His view as to supposed transmissions of disease is quite that of Archdale Reid’s recent book. He was equally clear as to Selection, & had he been a zoologist and traveller he might have anticipated the work of both Darwin & Weismann!

To bring out such a book as his "Researches" when only 27, and a practising Physician, shows what a remarkable man he was.

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

Prof. Poulton.