[[1]]
Dorjiling [Darjeeling]
April 2 1849 *1
My dear Father
I send you the best sketch I can do on so short notice of the great Rhod[odendron]. I
called netera macrophylum I wish it were better by[sic] my rough life of late has so
spoiled my hand that I draw with great difficulty & the pencil will not follow my wish,
My eyes too are not so good as they were.
The Head of foliage now before me is 25 inches immediately below the capitulum -The largest leaves with petioles 13 inches, but I have measured them 16 -- glossy on
upper surface capitulum 8 inches across nearly spherical rather loose 16 flowered
peduncle 2 inches quite stout.
Calyx 0 i.e. quite obliterated or if you like 14 [one word struck through, illeg.] most
obscure elevations at apex of peduncle.
Corolla 3 inches long & a little more across the mouth -- rather coriaceous equally 8 8
lobed -- lobes rounded bilobed obscurely crenata. Base of Cor[olla] 8 deep hollow
rounded prominences answering answering to as many deep nectariferous hollows which
are inside deep red purple. Color of Coroll[a] white with faint yellow
[[2]] tinge on tube & obscurely rosy here & there towards segments.
Substance coriaceous & half fleshy rather solid -- Odor[sic] faint
Stamens 14 constantly: anthers small deep chestnut brown
Ovaries green viscid 14 celled.
Stigma discoid, dilated, carinate & radiate [one word struck through, illeg] solvate -pale flesh color, deep red after impreganation
I hope you may not have published the drawing of this yet -- for I am quite suspicious
of R. campbelliae being a rufous var of arboreum: though it is just one of these bad
species which must stand or fall according to whim, & this should rather bear Mr
Campbells names.
I have sent the seed gathered at different places in January when it is ripe.
I saw no seed of Dalhousia nearly
[[3]] ripe in that month & am trying to get it now but this is difficult for you cannot see
the plant on the lofty limbs of the oaks it inhabits except it be in flower & groping at
random in these woods is really like digging for day--light. I have done my best
though that best is capable of all improvement, to get you seeds; but you will
remember that it is no light work to be the pioneer of these fine things & to send not
only such descriptions as are to excite your wishes, but what is of far more
importance to my reputation, such as will be useful for science[.] young plants of
Rhod[odendron]s I can get in abundance but not of the oaks & as soon as ever I get tin
boxes I will keep sending to you.
I send this by post from Darjeeling & I have written you 2 other letters by this mail -one of the latter goes in a post packet to Macrae with a lot of others amongst them 3
Navy bills which please set against my
[[4]] expenses at Newman's, &c &c
The Rajah has just sent permission for me to go to Lachen & Lachoong passes -- in
the N[orth E[ast] corner of Sikkim[.] His eldest son is really dead & I have no doubt
poisoned by the Dewan (my friend). I could not help remarking that the D[ewan].
would never drink a cup of my Tea, of which he was extremely fond, without tasting
& making his serv[an]ts taste, nor drink it off till I had mine. I told Campbell at the
time I was sure that by this sign he was a villain & a greater one than he gave him credit
for & that was bad enough. The present heir apparent is wholly in the Dewan's
hands; the former was not, & friendly to the English.
I shall not start till May about the middle thereof & go equipped just as before.
The monks of Changachelling [Sanga Chelling] paid me a visit the other day inviting
me back to stay with them as long as I liked. I gave them a violet--finger--glass, a
pound of Tea, a pocket handkerchief & a vinegar cruet of camphor.
In haste your most affectionate | Jos D Hooker [signature]
ENDNOTES
1. A note written in another hand records that the letter was received June 5.
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