Ɛpsilon

WCP807

Letter (WCP807.979)

[1]

Pen y bryn, St. Peter’s Road, Croydon

April 4th, 1881

Dear Mrs. Lyell1

I do not remember writing any review in April 1869 except that on Sir C. Lyell’s works in the "Quarterly Review" of that date; but as this deals also with Natural Selection, I dare say it is the one referred to. The title of it is "Geological Time and the Origin of Species".2

My first paper on "The Philosophy of Birds Nests"3 appeared in the "Intellectual Observer" of July 1867 — that on "A Theory of Birds’ Nests"4 in the "Journal of Travel and Natural History" No. 2. [2] 1868 — both being reprinted with considerable additions and improvements in my "Contributions to the Theory of Natural Selection" published in 1870.5

Believe me | yours faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

1
Lyell (née Horner), Katherine Murray (1817-1915). Wife of Charles Lyell’s brother Henry. British botanist, author of an early book on the worldwide distribution of ferns, and editor of volumes of the correspondence of several of the era's notable scientists.
2
Wallace, A. R. 1869. Geological Time and the Origin of Species. I. Principles of Geology; or the Modern Changes of the Earth and its Inhabitants considered as illustrative of Geology. By Sir Charles Lyell, Bart., M.A., F.R.S. Tenth and entirely revised Edition. London, 1867 (Vol. I.), 1868 (Vol. II.). II. Elements of Geology; or the Ancient Changes of the Earth and its Inhabitants, as illustrated by Geological Monuments. By Sir Charles Lyell, Bart., F.R.S. Sixth Edition. London, 1865. Quarterly Review 126 (April): 359-394.
3
Wallace, A. R. 1867. The philosophy of birds' nests. Intellectual Observer 11 (6): 413-420.
4
Wallace, A. R. 1868. A Theory of Birds’ Nests: Shewing the Relation of Certain Sexual Differences of Colour in Birds to their Mode of Nidification. Journal of Travel and Natural History 2, pp. 73-85.
5
Wallace, A. R. 1870. Contributions to the theory of natural selection. A series of essays. London & New York: Macmillan & Co.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP807.979)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Bourne, Fiona [2012-02-16] Transcription checked by Catchpole, Caroline [2013-01-15] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2024-12-24]

Please cite as “WCP807,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP807