n. "To the publication of the 'Geographical
Distribution of Animals' we owe the first scientific study of the
distribution of organic life on the globe, which has broadened
ever since, and continues to interest students daily; his
brilliant work in Natural History and Geography ... is universally
honoured," are the opinions of Dr. Scott speaking as President of
the Linnean Society of London.

One of Wallace's most important contributions to the physical
geography of the Malay region was his discovery of the physical
differences between the western and the eastern portions of the
Archipelago; i.e. that the islands lying to the east of a line
running north from the middle of the Straits of Bali and outside
Celebes were fragments of an ancient and larger Australian
continent, while those to the western side were fragments of an
Asiatic continent. This he elucidated by recognising that the
flora and fauna on the two sides of the line, close though these
islands approached each other, were absolutely different and had
remained for ages uncommingled. This line was denominated
"Wallace's Line" by Huxley, and this discovery alone would have
been sufficient to associate his name inseparably with this region
of the globe.--H.O.F.

Like Darwin, Wallace gave excessive attention to the suggestions and
criticisms of people who were obviously ignorant of the subjects about
which they wrote. He was never impatient with honest ignorance or
considered the lowly position of his correspondents. He replied to all
letters of inquiry (and he received many from working men), and always
gave his best knowledge and advice to anyone who desired it. There was
not the faintest suggestion of the despicable sense of superiority about
him.

"I had, of course, revelled in 'The Malay Archipelago' when a boy," says
Prof. Cockerell, "but my first personal relations with Dr. Wallace arose
from a letter I wrote him after reading his 'Darwinism,' then (early in
1890) recently published. The book delighted me, but I found a number of
little matters to criticise and discuss, and with the impetuosity of
youth proceeded to write to the author, and also to send a letter on
some of the points to _Nature_. I have possibly not yet reached years of
discretion, but in the perspective of time I can see with confusion that
what I regarded as worthy zeal might well have been characterised