of Fuchsia and the fruit of an Epilobium, I possess another new genus, and a multitude of Œnotheras. Also four undescribed kinds of Pentstemon, two of which far exceed any of the known species, and are shrubs; and among the Papaveraceæ, two, if not three, new genera.[1]
One is frutescent, with a bifoliate calyx and four petals, it has the stamens of Papaver and the fruit of Eschsholtzia, with entire leaves. This is my Bichenovia, a plant worthy of the Botanist to whom I dedicate it, as he is worthy of it.[2] The others are both annual and too curious for me to describe. By far the most singular and highly interesting plant here belongs to a genus, in some respects akin to Salvia; it is annual, and I have called it Wellsia after Mr. Wells of Redleaf in Kent (Audibertia incana, Benth. in Bot. Reg. t. 1469). This, with many others, I trust you may yet have the pleasure of describing from living specimens, as I have sent to London upwards of one hundred and fifty nondescript plants, which I hope will bloom next season. As I shall, if it please God, have the happiness of writing to you again shortly, I will, at present, only tell you of my projects. I am in daily expectation of a vessel from the Columbia, in which I shall embark to renew my labours in the North. Should she not arrive before the 10th of December, I will take my passage in an American vessel for the Sandwich Islands, where I shall not fail to endeavour to scale the lofty peaks of Mouna Roa or Mouna Kaah (the White or Snowy Mountain) in quest of Flora's treasures, and proceed to the North-west coast in the ensuing spring. I have met the Russian authorities twice since I last wrote to you and have received the utmost kindness from them. Two days ago I received a letter from Baron Wrangel, Governor of the Russian Possessions in America and the Aleutian Isles, full of compliments, and offering me all manner of assistance, backed by Imperial favour from the court.[3] This nobleman is, as you are well aware, the Capt. Parry of Russia, keenly alive to the interests of Science and anxious to assist in every way, those who labour in this field.
Since I began this letter, Dr. Coulter, from the Central States of the Republic of Mexico has arrived here, with the intention of taking all he can find to De Candolle at Geneva. He is a man eminently calculated to work, full of zeal, very amiable, and I hope may do much good to Science. As a salmon-fisher he is superior even to Walter Campbell, Esq., of Islay, the Izaak Walton of Scotland; besides being
- ↑ See Platystemon, Platystigma, and Dendromecon of Mr. Bentham in Hort. Trans., N. S., v. i, p. 405.
- ↑ Dendromecon rigidum, Benth. and Hook. Ic. Plant, t. 37.
- ↑ This nobleman had been, some little time previously, made acquainted with Mr. Douglas' mission through the kindness of our valued friend, Dr. Fischer, of St. Petersburg, as well as that of the Imperial Minister in London. The same subject is alluded to in a succeeding letter.
