The Wallace-Darwin Correspondence 



In Murcliison's address to the Geographical Society just 

 delivered he points out Africa as being the oldest existing 

 land. He says there is no evidence of its having been ever 

 submerged during the tertiary epoch. Here, then, is evi- 

 dently the place to find early man. I hope something 

 good may be found in Borneo, and that then means may 

 be found to explore the still more promising regions of 

 tropical Africa, for we can expect nothing of man very 

 early in Europe. 



It has given me great pleasure to find that there are 

 symptoms of improvement in your health. I hope you vrill 

 not exert yourself too soon or write more than is quite 

 agreeable to you. I think I made out every word of your 

 letter though it was not always easy. — Believe me, my dear 

 Darwin, yours very sincerely, Alfred R. Wallace. 



Down, Bromley, Kent, S.E. June 15, 1864. 



Dear Wallace, — You must not suppose from my delay 

 that I have not been much interested by your long letter. 

 I write now merely to thank you, and just to say that 

 probably you are right on all the points you touch on 

 except, as I think, about sexual selection, which I will not 

 give up. 



My belief in it, however, is contingent on my general 

 beliefs in sexual selection. It is an awful stretcher to 

 believe that a peacock's tail was thus formed; but believ- 

 ing it, I believe in the same principle somewhat modified 

 applied to man. 



I doubt whether my notes would be of any use to you, 

 and as far as I remember they are chiefly on sexual 

 selection. 



I am very glad to hear that you are on your Travels. I 

 believe you will find it a very convenient vehicle for mis- 

 cellaneous discussion. With your admirable powers of 



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