Alfred Russel Wallace 



nine times out of ten, the fact is stated, and nothing more ; 

 or a reference to some third work not at hand! 



I wish I could get into the habit of giving chapter and 

 verse for every fact and extract, but I am too lazy and 

 generally in a hurry, having to consult books against time 

 when in London for a day. 



However, I will try and do something to mend this 

 matter should I have to prepare another edition. 



I return you ForePs letter. It does not advance the 

 question much, neither do I think it likely that even the 

 complete observation he thinks necessary would be of much 

 use ; because it may well be that the ova or larvse or imagos 

 of the beetles are not carried systematically by the ants, 

 but only occasionally owing to some exceptional circum- 

 stances. This might produce a great effect in distribution, 

 yet be so rare as never to come under observation. 



Several of your remarks in previous letters I shall care- 

 fully consider. I know that, compared with the extent of 

 the subject, my book is in many parts crude and ill-con- 

 sidered; but I thought, and still think, it better to make 

 some generalisations wherever possible, as I am not at all 

 afraid of having to alter my views in many points of detail. 

 I was so overwhelmed with zoological details that I never 

 went through the Geological Society's Journal as I ought 

 to have done, and as I mean to do before writing more on 

 the subject. 



With best wishes, believe me yours very faithfully, 



Alfred E. Wallace. 



Rose Hill, Dorking. December 13, 1876. 



My dear Darwin, — Many thanks for your new book on 

 '' Crossing Plants,'' which I have read with much interest. 

 I hardly expected, however, that there would have been 

 so many doubtful and exceptional cases. I fancy that the 



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