Alfred Russel Wallace 



Malay Archipelago has been read at the Linnean Society, 

 and that he was extremely much interested by it. 



I have not seen one naturalist for six or nine months 

 owing to the state of my health, and therefore I really have 

 no news to tell you. I am writing this at Ilkley Wells, where 

 I have been with my family for the last six weeks, and shall 

 stay for some few weeks longer. As yet I have profited very 

 little. God knows when I shall have strength for my bigger 

 book. 



I sincerely hope that you keep your health : I suppose 

 that you will be thinking of returning soon with your mag- 

 nificent collection and still grander mental materials. You 

 will be puzzled how to publish. The Royal Society Fund will 

 be worth your consideration. — ^With every good wish, pray 

 believe me yours very sincerely, Charles Darwin. 



I think that I told you before that Hooker is a complete 

 convert. If I can convert Huxley I shall be content. 



Letter VII 

 C. Darwin to A. R. Wallace 



Down, Bromley, Kent, S.E. March 7, 1860. 



My dear Wallace, — The addresses which you have sent 

 me are capital, especially that to the Rajah; and I have 

 dispatched two sets of queries. I now enclose a copy to 

 you, and should be very glad of any answers; you must 

 not suppose the P.S. about memory has lately been in- 

 serted; please return these queries, as it is my standard 

 copy. The subject is a curious one; I fancy I shall make 

 a rather interesting appendix to my Essay on Man. 



I fully admit the probability of '^ protective adapta- 

 tion ^' having come into play with female butterflies as 

 well as with female birds. I have a good many facts which 



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