WCP443

DR. WALLACE.

A Scientist of World-Wide Reputation in Cincinnati.

A. R. Wallace, LL.D., Fellow of the Royal Society &c., is certainly known to all scientific thinkers and readers as one of the most eminent of English naturalists. The Post met him at his rooms at the Dennison house Monday, and was impressed by the tall form, white hair, flowing beard and bushy gray eyebrows, as well as by the hearty greeting and frank manner of the friend of Darwin. Like the latter, he is an evolutionist, but has pushed his inquiry and research into more and varied channels than any of our modern thinkers, and has given to the world more of scientific treatises and social theories during the last forty years than any other. The last of his writings is call "Bad Times." He remarked to The Post that the young scientists of Europe are to a man working on the evolution theory, while many of their elders are still skeptical. He is still pushing his investigation on the subject of the "Geographical distribution of animals," and says that geology has received through the fossil remains of this country, more light in twenty years than Europe has given it in forty. He lectures Friday night in Smith & Nixon's hall on the "Origin and Uses of the Colors of Animals" and on "Mimicry."

Dr. Wallace agrees with Henry George in his main principles, but not in his methods, favoring, rather, co-operation in order that the abolition of land monopoly may be secured.

COLORS IN ANIMALS.¹

Their Uses Clearly Explained.²

Interesting Lecture by Dr. A. R. Wallace, the Eminent Naturalist.

A large and cultivated audience listened to Dr. Alfred Russell [sic] Wallace's lecture at Smith & Nixon's hall last night. The noted naturalist discussed "The Origin and Uses of the Colors of Animals and on Mimicry." In the assemblage were many prominent citizens whose presence was a compliment to the famous scientist. Dr. Wallace is an elderly gentleman, sixty-six years of age. Like most of his countrymen who have appeared on the public platform in America, his speech is drawling and monotonous. The subject was, however, treated in a highly entertaining style, and showed clearly the deep research and splendid attainments of Dr. Wallace. His subject was

PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED

By stereopticon views, which added to the pleasure of the address. The lecturer was introduced in a few complimentary words by Dr. F. W. Langdon, who paid a tribute to the reputation of Prof. Wallace. The Doctor began by stating that a large amount of our admiration for nature is on account of the colors with which it is adorned. He referred to the brilliancy of colors in organic life, and set at naught the old supposition that the colors of animals were of no real import to the animals themselves. The old idea has been overcome by the Darwinian theory, and it has been shown that colors are of great use to the animals possessing them. The nature of color was explained, which, as seen by us, is a subjective phenomenon produced by surface textures. The first way colors are produced is by the concentration of light, and the second by chemical processes. Every thing in nature has color in it, but that in inorganic nature is of no benefit to the object which possess it. All

ORGANIC SUBSTANCES

Are highly complex and unstable. An exceedingly light texture in a chemical composition may produce a change in color. Tropical light alone is not the cause of tropical brilliancy of color. Dr. Wallace stated that animals were to some extent colored by the objects with which they are surrounded, while another action is by the voluntary action of animals, such as the chameleon, but cases of this kind are rare. His definition of color is the normal product of the light upon organic bodies. In wild animals colors are more constant than in domesticated ones, and consequently in a tame state the colors vary and their symmetry declines. The lecturer divided the uses of colors into two great classes, protection and recognition, and two other classes were made, those which prey and those which are preyed upon. At this point in his lecture Dr. Wallace introduced his stereopticon views. He said that in the arctic regions the color was white, like the polar bear, and in the desert yellow as the sand, like the lion and tiger. A remarkable exception was noted in the raven, which exists in the arctic regions and is perfectly black, but it has no enemies there and does not need to protect itself. The peculiar circumstances and conditions of the cat tribe were commented upon, and several pictures were shown of birds, animals and insects which could

HIDE THEMSELVES BY THEIR RESEMBLANCE

To the tree or jungle or leaf in which they took refuge. The Doctor referred to a class of insects which he put under the head of alluring protection, by which they drew other creatures toward them to be eaten. He spoke of the South American sloths, which were defenseless, but were enabled to hang on to a tree in such a way as to defy detection. Another style of protection is by frightening other animals. The next branch of the subject was a lucid description of the use of colors as a means of recognition between various animals of the same species. He said the tail of the rabbit is white, as a sort of signal or warning to his fellows to look out for danger. The significant fact was brought out that the principle of recognition accounts for many fantastic colors. The warning colors are also conspicuous in all stinging insects, and this protects them from attack. The lecture was closed with a few words on the mimicry adopted by some creatures, particularly caterpillars, to protect them from harm. Dr. Wallace created a favorable impression on his hearers, and the lecture was most entertaining. He will speak in the Town Hall at College Hill to-night.

1. Handwritten text: "Cincinnati Enquirer" ap. 23/87.

2. Handwritten text: a bad lamp! which went out in the mid. of the Lecture!!!

Envelope addressed to "Mrs. Wallace, Frith Hill, Godalming, England", with stamp, postmarked "CINCINNATI O. | APR 23 | 5 PM | 87". Note on back of envelope in ARW's hand reads: "I sent Letter with Pension Certificate from Washington - April 6th."; two postmarks on back. [Envelope (WCP443.1504)]