Record

Ref NoJDH/1/10/95-96&101
Alt Ref NoJHC36
TitleLetter from Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton to Hooker, Sir William Jackson from Darjeeling, India
DescriptionComments on WJH's accident & subsequent treatment, mentioning use of ether. Has forwarded [Hugh] Falconer [HF] a lot of mss material. JDH has procured a bamboo bow, poisoned arrows & poison root from Bhotan [Bhutan]. HF sending JDH books. The rich flora of Darjeeling yielding new things: JDH draws the most important incl Orchideae. Crawfordia & other things will be in seed soon but it is hard to dry seeds & specimens. Describes drying specimens in front of fire & shortage of paper. Has sent collectors to Neapul [Nepal]. Discusses common local Streptolirion as featured in the LINNEAN SOCIETY TRANSCATIONS by Edgeworth. Comments on prospect of moving the British Museum Herbarium to RBG Kew, Brown will object. JDH is invited to stay with Jenkins [J] en route to Assam. J is collecting drugs & medicines for JDH. JDH intends to trek to snow when conditions improve in Oct. Mentions poverty of natives in Darjeeling. Has collected some insects. Of trees has collected: 1 pine, 1 yew, Abies webbiana & a Juniper & hopes to get [William] Griffith's larch. Cannot send plants in his letters: they would be ruined by damp in the post to Calcutta [Kolkata]. BHH is ill & made worse by news from Gray that a valuable collection of Tibet animals was ruined. JDH has sent collectors to the interior & pays them liberally. Discusses origins & character of the Sikkim aborigines -- the Lepchas, & the Booteas from the neighbouring country. Mentions that Sikkim Rajah is actually a Tibetan. Mentions death of Lord Burghesh, Fane's brother & Fane's character. JDH is pleased his parents are keeping Francis happy. Sends regards to Harvey, Betham, Citoyen & [Walter Hood] Fitch. Asks for stationary to be sent by overland post with the LONDON JOURNAL OF BOTANY from Reeves. Letter illustrated with sketches showing the vegetation that appears at different elevations, maps showing Punkabarrie, Kursiong, Pacheem, Darjeeling & peaks of Tonglo & Sinchal, a sketch labelled Quercus & one of JDH's Ganges boat.
Date24 July 1848
FormatOriginal MS
URLwww.kew.org/josephhooker
CreatorHooker, Sir Joseph Dalton
Collection TitleSir Joseph Hooker Papers
LevelItem
Extent7 page letter over 3 folios
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