March 11, 1920.

Dr. Griffith Taylor,
Bureau of Meteorology,
Melbourne, Australia.

My dear Taylor,

I want you to know how much I have enjoyed your article on "Climatic Cycles in Evolution". It is a real inspiration,-- one of those pieces of work which broadens one's horizon and gives one a great sweep of vision.

It is very interesting to see how your thought has run parallel to
mine and how the two supplement each other.

With most parts of your article I find myself in hearty accord.
But, of course, there are some places where I do not feel so sure. Your map show-
ing the zones of migration is extremely interesting. As a summing up of the whole
question, it is the best thing I have ever seen. Nevertheless I wonder whether
we have a right to make it quite so simple. I admit, however, that one of the
greatest things that a scientist can do is to generalize without letting himself
be confused by minor details. What are we going to do, however, about the sort
of facts that I have discussed in "World Power and Evolution" which seem to show
that even so steadfast a characteristic feature as the head form apparently changes
with changes in environment? Perhaps, however, there can be some change of this
kind and yet the change not be enough to destroy head form as the most reliable
basis of determining racial relations.

Another part of your article which was most interesting is your
suggestion as to a possible approach of the solar system to some other system.
I have long thought that some such occurrence might be the cause of changes on
the earth. I think, however, that electricity rather than gravitation is likely
to be the effective agent. The work of Bigelow, Manson and Veeder and a number of
investigations of my own seem to make it more and more possible that many of our
climatic phenomena are electrical in origin. If that is the case, the approach
to another system would cause great changes in the electrical condition of the sun
and thus in that of the earth. These changes might even cause a slight heating up
and cooling of the earth. As soon as I can get around to it I mean to write this
up but that may be some time.

I should like to go on and comment on many other things. You have
certainly given us a great deal to think about. I hope that you are planning to
elaborate this whole subject still further and to publish it in book form.

With cordial regards and thanks for the help that you have been in
my own thinking, I am

Yours most sincerely,

EH/LMB