Correspondence on Biology, etc. 



of first starting it, and want to see how far he went. If 

 you have or can get this work of his vnth that paper, can 

 you lend it me for a few days ? I know not who to write 

 to for it, as botanists of course ignore it, and G. Allen him- 

 self is, I believe, in Algeria. . . . —Yours faithfully, 



Alfred R. Wallace. 



Herbert Spencer to A. R. Wallace 



38 Queen's Gardens, Lancaster Qaie, W. May 18, 1889. 



Dear Mr. Wallace, — A few days ago there reached me 

 a copy of your new book, " Darwinism," for which, along 

 with this acknowledgment, I send my thanks. In my present 

 state of health I dare not read, and fear I shall be unable 

 to profit by the accumulation of evidence you have brought 

 together. I see sundry points on which I might raise dis- 

 cussions, but beyond the fact that I am at present unable 

 to enter into them, I doubt whether they would be of any 

 use. I regret that you have used the title '' Darwinism," 

 for notwithstanding your qualification of its meaning you 

 will, by using it, tend greatly to confirm the erroneous 

 conception almost universally current. — Truly yours, 



Herbert Spencer. 



To Prof. Poulton 



Parkstone, Dorset. November 28, 1889. 



My dear Mr. Poulton, — I have much pleasure in send- 

 ing you Cope's book' (with the review of "^ Darwinism ''), 

 which I hope you will keep as long as you like, till you 

 have mastered all its obscurities of style and eccentricities 

 of argument. I think you will find a good deal in it to 

 criticise, and it will be well for you to know what the 

 leader of the Neo-Lamarckians regards as the foundation- 



» " The Origin of the Fittest." London, 1887. 

 47 



