WCP4935

[1]¹ [p. 240]

... When the eminent scientist, Alfred Russel Wallace, a few years ago, visited the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the plaster cast of my Ohio llama at once attracted his attention, as his knowledge of Peruvian antiquities caused him to recognize it as a stranger far from home. For its history he was referred, by the curator, to me, and immediately wrote to me for the information. In answer I communicated to him all the facts of its discovery, as narrated in this paper, together with the opinion of Dr. Rau of the manner of its transmission to this region. In a short time I received this courteous acknowledgement of the receipt of my letter, containing, from such high authority, corroboration of the view I had from the first entertained in the discussion of this matter:

"The Hamilton, Washington,

March 4^th, 1887.

Dr. J. F. Snyder,

Dear Sir:—Many thanks for your interesting letter which is just what I wanted. The authenticity of the specimen appears to be perfectly established; but Dr. Rau's theory seems improbable and unnecessary. There was undoubtedly intercommunication, more or less frequent, between peoples of the two continents in early times, and this is one of the indications of it. I had seen the figures your refer me to (Ewbank's), some of which agree exactly with your specimen. Believe me; yours very truly, etc.,

Alfred R. Wallace."