WCP662

[1]

Sept[embe]^r. 8th

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

Revd. A. Miles Moss.¹

Dear Sir

Many thanks for the copy of your beautiful book of photos. of the [Perenne] district and the interesting account of your journey there. I have for many years looked upon this district as probably being the richest in the world ^{(as you state)} in Butterflies & Moths, as well probably as in Beetles & most other orders of insects; and what you describe about them confirms my view. If I were 30 or 40 years [2] younger than I am I think I could not resist the temptation

to go there for a year’s collecting. I suggested it to a young friend, 3 or 4 years back; but he had not the means to go such a long journey, & went instead to Minas Geraes² in Brazil, but finds that district very poor as compared with any part of the Amazon valley. It would interest me to know how many species of butterflies you collected during your short visit, in which unpropitious weather ^{and also how many in your two other visits}. Will [3] you also tell me if there is any water-communication to the Uyacali³[sic] & to Iquitos on the Amazon, as if so it is probable my friend may yet be able to go by that route. Do you think Mr. Furlong, or any other resident ay the [Perenne] Camp, would take my friend as a boarder, or could he have some small house or hut to live in, as he is accustomed to manage for himself being a rigid vegetarian!

Have you heard any entomological collector having [4] already resided there for anytime?

You do not mention the mosquitoes, so I suppose they are not plentiful. The malaria is as you know now imputed to them, but I think incorrectly. They may spread it, but are not the primary cause.

I suppose the carriage of small packages to Lima, and thence to England is not very costly.

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