York Nursery Kew
15 July 1884.
Dear Baron
Thanks for your note
and Enclosed slips in re this
(Dendrobe) I regret very much indeed that I was not at the Field Naturalists meeting
to see this plant which I learn was Exhibited.
I regret the more as I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing any of these Island
Dendrobes & other Orchids that from time
sparingly turn up. I was over to your residence South Yarra 2 sundays ago and learnt
you was in town with some medical Gentleman whose name I forgot so really was not
able to come & see you though most anxious. I had rather a peculiar New Caledonian
Orchid fl
with me but which was of no use after keeping a day or two there is however a bloom
coming on again & will try that you shall see it — I have also another bloomed this
week a Phaius of some Sort, of the P. Grandifolius type but I think quiet
distinct — distinct Certainly in foliage being longer narrower much ribbed and of
a very light green the outer petals white outside [nauleen] inside the labellus is
rather of the style of a Small flowered var of
the throat of the tube being white changing to a yellowish color & purplish fringed
lip I must however let you have a flower. I presume that your having such a severe
trial of sickness (which let me assure I deeply regret) & which I shall be gratified
to hear that you are better of — has prevented your finding wether Reichenbach has
named that beautiful large white
that I have more than once given you flowers of — provisionally I have named it "Leopold
Layard" who certainly was the first to introduce it amongst us — my trip to new Caledonia
has been retarded Considerably in Consequence of Patronage and my winters work having
set in Early this Season I have put the trip off untill later on, as I did not get
off at my proposed date ie April before the Rains had taken any material Effect on
the Growth of things — I decided and upon the Advice of Mr Layard to let the Season
growth of things get more matured more — I should get many more things Ground Orchids, Bulbs, Shrubs more in bloom &
others in seed, ferns fully developed & seed bearing & so on that I most probably
will get off in Sept. which will be a very good time. — in re New Guinea You will
have observed by the Age some little time ago of the Colapse of the Expedition that
Mr Symes wished me to go with
— but what a pity no one amongst them was botanist enough to gather what they could
even though they had to make their escape, and this piece of mismanagement rather
mystifies me, the fact is the party was badly Equiped & too few in number to cope
with difficulties that is so well known beset Explorers in that part of the world
they ought to have had a "mitraleuse" Gun
on their craft and have given those natives a taste of pepper corns and if that did
not do a few turns of Shot and they would have cleared their road it is no use minching
the matters — if they dont molest you dont disturb them if they do then take Extreme
measures to bring them to their sences I say — in re the Parcel (Stone Axe) which
appears a rare one being in most Excellent preservation it Came to hand this week
with a case of D. Undulatum and I should not like to Entrust it by the Carrier, I
shall not be in town Im afraid this week you had better send for it if you please
I should not like it damaged as it has got this far in good order I can send you a
flower of the Orchids I have spoken of above same time — perhaps you can send on Friday
— trusting Dear Sir you are much better & should be glad to pay you a visit on some
sunday afternoon if agreeable
I am Sir yours faithfully
James Roberts
