The Wallace-Darwin Correspondence 



inhabit wide open plains, and which so seldom take flight : 

 a very little increase in size of body would make them in- 

 capable of flight. The idea of ostriches acquiring flight is 

 worthy of Westwood; think of the food required in these 

 inhabitants of the desert to work the pectoral muscles ! In 

 the rhea the wings seem of considerable service in the first 

 start and in turning.' . . . 



5 Westhourne Grove Terrace, W. September 30, 1862. 



My dear Mr. Darwin, — Many thanks for the third edition 

 of the '* Origin," which I found here on my return from 

 Devonshire on Saturday. I have not had time yet to read 

 more than the Historical Sketch, which is very interesting, 

 and shows that the time had quite come for your book. 



I am now reading Herbert Spencer's ^^ First Principles," 

 which seems to me a truly great work, which goes to the 

 root of everything. 



I hope you will be well enough to come to Cambridge. 



I remain, my dear Mr. Darwin, yours very faithfully, 



Alfred E. Wallace. 



5 Wesibourne Orove Terrace, W. January 14 [1863?]. 



My dear Mr. Darwin, — I am very sorry indeed to hear 

 you are still in weak health. Have you ever tried mountain 

 air ? A residence at 2,000 or 3,000 ft. elevation is very in- 

 vigorating. 



I trust your family are now all in good health, and that 

 you may be spared any anxiety on that score for some time. 

 If you come to town I shall hope to have the pleasure of 

 seeing you. 



I am now in much better health, but find sudden changes 

 of weather affect me very much, bringing on ague and fever 

 fits. I am now working a little, but having fresh collections 



1 The last sheet of the letter is missing. 

 147 



