Ɛpsilon

WCP783

Letter (WCP783.955)

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

Novr.. 23rd 1908

Dear Mr. Waterhouse1

Can you give me the nearest available estimate of the total number of described, or known Coleptera — or those in the Museum?

I would also be much obliged if you would obtain from Mr. Kirby2 (or whoever is now in charge of the Lepidoptera) the approximate number of species in that order.

Also if any estimate has recently been made — the number of all known Insects.

As I only want them for the [2] purpose of a lecture3 I am preparing for the Royal Institution, almost any approximate estimate will be sufficient.

yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

1
Waterhouse, Charles Owen (1843-1917). British entomologist. Son of George Robert Waterhouse. Worked at British Museum (Natural History) 1866-1910.
2
Kirby, William Forsell (1844-1912). English entomologist and folklorist. Staff member at British Museum (Natural History) in charge on Lepidoptera.
3
Editor Charles H. Smith's Note: Wallace delivered a portion of this lecture at his last public appearance, before the Royal Institution on 22 January 1909. Shortly thereafter it was printed in full in Fortnightly Review (London) and The Independent (New York).

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP783.955)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by Benny, Ruth [2014-01-28] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2024-12-24]

Please cite as “WCP783,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP783