British naturalist, explorer, and biologist (1823-1913) best known for proposing a theory of natural selection which prompted Charles Darwin to publish his own. ALS signed “Alfred R. Wallace,” one page, 4.5 x 7, December 22, 1889. Handwritten letter to English botanist and taxonomist Maxwell T. Masters, in full: "Will you please inform me in 'Answers to Correspondents' who are the largest growers of species of Cape Heaths. They seem almost to have gone out of notice, but having here a suitable soil & mild climate I want to try growing the finest in the open border with only a moveable shelter from severe frost." In fine condition, with loss to the lower right corner of the second sheet.