Correspondence on Biology, etc. 



To Prop. Poulton 



Parkstone, Dorset. June 13, 1897. 



My dear Poulton, — . . . The rate of deposition might 

 be modified in an archipelago, but would not necessarily be 

 less than now, on the average. On the ocean side it might be 

 slow, but wherever there were comparatively narrow straits 

 between the islands it might be even faster than now, because 

 the area of deposition would be strictly limited. In the seas 

 between Java and Borneo and between Borneo and Celebes 

 the deposition may he above the average. Again, during the 

 development of continents there were evidently extensive 

 mountain ridges and masses with landlocked seas, or in- 

 land lakes, and in all these deposition would be rapid. 

 Anyhow, the fact remains that there is no necessary equality 

 between rates of denudation and deposition (in thickness) 

 as Geikie has assumed. 



I was delighted with your account of Prichard's wonder- 

 ful anticipation of Galton and Weismann ! It is so perfect 

 and complete. ... It is most remarkable that such a com- 

 plete statement of the theory and such a thorough apprecia- 

 tion of its effects and bearing should have been so long over- 

 looked. I read Prichard when I was very young, and have 

 never seen the book since. His facts and arguments are 

 really useful ones, and I should think Weismann must be 

 delighted to have such a supporter come from the grave. His 

 view as to the supposed transmission of disease is quite that 

 of Archdall Reid's recent book. He was equally clear as to 

 Selection, and had he been a zoologist and traveller he might 

 have anticipated the work of both Darwin and Weismann ! 



To bring out such a book as his " Researches " when only 

 twenty-seven, and a practising physician, shows what a re- 

 markable man he wa«. — Believe me yours very truly, 



Alfred R. Wallace. 

 73 



