Colenso’s collections

34. – A Chenopodium from the sandy beaches near the S. Head of Wangaruru bay.

35. – A Veronica, found growing among Fern at Cape M. V. Diemen; where it abounds. A small shrub, from 2 to 3 feet high. March, 1839.

36. – Specimen of a pretty little plant, growing in beds under water, in a small brook running between the Sandhills, on the N.W. Coast, near Wangape! March, 1839.

37. – From an Islet, off the S. Head of Wangaruru Bay.

38. – From Cape M. V. Diemen; March, 1839, Subsequently seen in similarly exposed rocky situations on the E. Coast; growing in moss-like tufts.

39. – A Chenopodium from the Seaside, Wananake Bay, Decr. 1839.

40. – A Plantago from clayey cliffs, near the same locality, Hitherto not observed by me in any other part,– Decr. 1839.

41. – A Scrap from a small and low shrub, which forms thick bushes in the sand hills on the N.W. Coast,– March, 1839. Apparently nearly allied to Leucopogon fasciculata.

42. – An undescribed sp. of Solanum, (sent by me to A. Cunningham.) found on dry banks in this neighbourhood. I have often marvelled at their being no notice of this common plant by an Botanist. It is recumbent and spreading; the berries, when ripe, are eaten by the Natives, who call it Poporo. Solanum recumbens, W.C., 1835.

43. A specimen of a Cruciferous Plant; formerly eaten by Natives, and by them called Toi. Common in their plantations & in most alluvial soils.

44. – A Myrsine, probably a n. sp. from woods in the Interior.

45. – A Coprosma, from near the road hence to the Waimate Station. As I have only seen one plant of it, it may possibly be but a variety of C. divaricata A. Cunningham. 1839

46. – A rambling shrub, creeping to the top of the highest trees to which it adheres by its lateral roots; from the wood near Waikare, Bay Islands.

47. – A Coprosma, n. sp., from a shrub growing in a thick jungle, in alluvial soil, near Waipuakakahu, in the Interior. 9-12 feet high; branches brachiate, and leaves few, Flores et fructus nullum vidi.

48. – A Specimen of a n. sp. of Convolvulaceæ, from Matauri and Tohoranui, on the E. Coast, April, 1839. Plants, large; Flowers dark pink, striped with purple.

49. – A n. sp. of ditto, with remarkably short petals, found among fern near Wangarei, and, also near Owae, E. Coast. Flores, albi. Decr. 1840.

50. – A specimen of a n. sp. of ditto from E. Coast. 1841. (Possibly, Forster’s C. tuguriorum. vide Turton’s Linné, p.304.

51. A Wahlenbergia, n. sp.,? from near Kerikeri waterfall; Bay Islands.

52. – A Lobelia, from the E. Coast, found by me in 1839. – I think I sent you a spcn. of this in my former parcel.

53. – These little plants are from a bog near Kaitaia, our northern most station, where they studded the ground like so many stars. March, 1839.

54. – The handsome Tree, of which this is a specimen, I found on the skirts of a wood near Wairua; and am happy in being enabled to send you perfect specimens in fruit and flower. Tree, 25-30 feet; fully branched and leaved. March, 1840

55. – A species of Cuscuta (?) but neither flower nor fruit. Nor could I obtain either, though I made diligent search. Neither could I discover a single root. Yet I have not the least doubt of its being parasitical on Leptospermum scoparium, the only shrub in its vicinity. It wound about every thing, not excepting the common (and in that place stunted) Pteris esculenta, crossing our path a thousand times, & rendering it extremely difficult to get onwards. On barren hills near Mount Camel, (northern extremity of N. Island.) March, 1839. Dr Dieffenbach, who lately visited that beighbourhood, informed me, that he had found it in flower, in white racemes (?) but that notwithstanding his diligent search, he, also, had failed in finding a root. Dh. did not however give me any description of the same.

56. – A specimen of a small, but elegant, Tree, from near Owae, on the E. Coast; discovered by me in 1838, and forwarded to A. Cunningham, who, however, never lived to examine it. This very graceful plant grows to a height of from 12-16 feet. Its general appearance is fully shown in the sp. sent. Nate name Mairehau.

57. – From a ravine, near Waitangi Cataract, Bay islands, 1840.

58. This little Wahlenbergia, which I suppose to be a n. sp., I obtained from the high ridge of barren and clayey hills beyond the Kawakawa. Am sorry that I have not better specimens. This is its ordinary size, and it grows invariably erect.

59. – A sp. of Labiatæ, from the N.W. Coast, near Cape M. V. Diemen, March, 1839. There it grows plentifully, near the seashore among grass and fern.

60-70 (inclusive) Specimens of plants from the summit of Tongariro, a very high and volcanic mountain near the middle of the Island. These were sent me by a friend who resides at Rotorua, (one of our Mission Stations about 3 days journey from Tongariro,) who had them from a Gentleman who visited his Station, and who ascended the mountain to its summit in the summer of 1839. Some of them grew amid the eternal snows on the “cloud-capt” top of the cone; from which place the adventurous explorer brought a pine, (Podocarpus totara,) with its root, fully in fruit, yet only 3 inches high! The branches of which were brachiate, and recumbent, and formed a circle of a foot in diameter!! I, with pleasure, strip my own Herbarium, to send you these minute specimens; which I hope will all prove n. species. I live in expectation of visiting those parts in January next.

72. – Specimens of a Hymenophyllum, from the top of a high hill near the Bay of Islands.

73. – A Lobelia, n. sp., found at the foot of dry clayey cliffs near Matapouri, on the E. Coast; in Decr. 1839, and again, in March, l841; this pretty little plant must speak for itself; I have never observed it in any other locality, and, as far as I know, it is entirely new.

74. – Another Lobelia, common on moist sandy banks a little above highwater mark; all along the Coast, where it is found procumbent and creeping, growing together with Triticum repens.

75. – A memento of a small weak plant, growing in the alluvial sides of the fresh-water river which falls into Ngunguru. Fructus et flores nullum vidi. March,/41.

76. – A little procumbent plant, (all I could collect with any fruit,) from under a Metrosideros tomentosa on a rocky cliff in Wangarei Bay. March, 1841.

77. – From banks of Ngunguru river. I have also seen it at the Residency, in the Bay of Islands, but am in doubt as to its being truly indigenous. Spergula. –

78. – A small plant from a bog near Wairua, March, 1841, [Geophila dichondræfol.]

79. – A ditto ditto, (Soliva tenella,?).

80. – A species of Gaultheria; which, if not G. fluviatilis A. Cunn., is, doubtless, a new sp. Margins streams, B. Islands.

81. – Hymenophylla, from a dense wood near Wangarei, March, 1841.

82. – Specimen of a small Ranunculus from a bog near Wairua [Hydrocotyle]

83. – Ditto ditto, from Owae, on the E. Coaat,

84 A n. sp., of Microtis, found on the high and barren hills near Wangarei. Differing from M. Banksii, not only in appearance, but in its time of flowering, this coming out in the autumn, that in the spring. This is also smaller and its flowers are beautifully & delicately coloured with crimson and purple; whilst those of M. Banksii are green, or greenish yellow. Its sheathing fistulous scape, too, is not so long as its spike of Inflorescence, while in M. Banksii, it is a very great deal longer. The flowers of this n. sp., are often coalesced together, and are not so numerous as in M. Banksii. I subsequently found this, (on returning) on the high table land near Owae. The dry specimens are from the former, those in acid from the latter place, March, 1841.

85. A Cardamine from the banks of the River Wairua. At first, I supposed it to be a new sp., but after all it is likely to prove to be C. debilis, or a variety of that sp.

86. A little Carex-like thing from a bog, new to me.

87 Sundry orchideous Plants, (same as sent in former package.) and a little Rumex-like plant from Nihonui, Bay of Islands. Possibly the same as No. 37.

88. A sp. of Labiatæ, from sheltered spots near Owae, E. Coast; this may prove to be merely a variety of No. 59. [Micromeria]

89. Barren fronds of plant in acid, (vidi phial, labelled, 89.) from sides of Ravines & deep clayey watercourses, Bay of Islands. Rather a difficult matter to obtain a specimen in fruit, l840.

90. A Chenopodium from rocky cliffs; E. Coast.

91. A small Trichomanes from dense woods in the interior.

93 A small Trichomanes which I hope will prove a n. sp. From dark Ravines, dense forests in the interior. March, l841.

94 & 95. Two small plants, found growing together on alluvial banks, Head of Waikare River, By. Islands.

96. Asplenium, n. sp.? from the sides of a brook near the head of Waikare River; the only place in which I have hitherto seen it. Decr. 1840.

113 Part of a Frond of a splendid new sp. of Todea, from Tongariro, (the mountain mentioned 60-71.) Of this beautiful Fern I had but a single sp., which was fastened into my Box of Filices; I have, however, cut it in order to send you a portion, which I have also placed on paper, shewing the relative situation the Branchlets sent held with reference to the Frond; the exact size of which I have thereon roughly outlined. The lower part of the stipe is hirsute, like that of T. pelludica; of which latter sp. I also send you new specimens. Todea superba, W.C., 1839.

114. A graceful creeping Hymenophyllum, from trunks of living Trees in dense forests, head of Waikare river, Bay of Islands, 1841.

115. Triplicates of 97?
These two incipient Fronds I obtained from a prostrate (yet living) arborescent Fern, in the Waikare forest, At first sight I took them for a n. sp., they may however, prove but fronds of Cyathea medullaris, to which sp. the habit of the Fern in question bore great resemblance. If so, this is the largest I have ever seen, measuring 42 feet in length: as it lay (i.e. from the end of the trunk to its apex, exclusive of the petioles of its fronds.) It had been recently felled by a native, who also lopped off its leafy honours: it had however subsequently shot forth others (those now sent) while in that situation. Decr, 1840.

116. A specimen of a Fern from the high Dammara range near the E. Coast. I regret that I was obliged, in this part of my Journey, to travel at a much quicker than a Botanical rate. The Fern, whence I obt. this spn., was coalescent; its fronds 3 feet in height, Apl. /41.

117. From dry woods, E. Coast, Apl. 1841.

118. This elegant Trichomanes (the largest hitherto observed by me in New Zealand.) was found on decayed Timber in a dense Forest near Wangarei. I sought for a long while, are I could find a frond in fruit, I was at length rewarded with one, which I send you, A very handsome and graceful light green Fern, in its fresh state, March, 1841.

119. – A mem. of a Fern from a boggy stream at Horotutu, Bay of Islands, 1839; only observed by me in that locality. Very difficult to find a fruitful frond.

120. – A Lycopodium, n. sp.? from a bog near Kaitaia Station; procumbent & creeping; March 1839.

121. – A n. sp. of Adiantum, from dry slopes, woods, B. Islands. 1839. I sent this to A. Cunningham, naming it A. falcatum W.C.

122. – A Cænopteris from rocks near Owae. C. flaccida, only grows on trees; still this may be merely a variety of that sp., stunted, &c, from situation. 1840.

123. – Specimen of a fern from a cleared wood, close behind the Wesleyan Missn. Station, on the banks of the Hokianga River. March, 1839.

124. – An Aspidium, from dry sloping banks, E. Coast, 1840. This may prove to be A. velutinum A. Richard.

125. – Truncheon from a stalk of Dicksonia squarrosa, Sw., from Waikare forest; native name Ẁeki. These stately ferns are often to be met with in groups of from 10 to 40; the average height is from 6 to 10 feet.

126. – Portion of a stalk of Cyathea dealbata, Sw., from a wood near this settlement. This Fern is the most light and airy of all the arborescent species; in appearance much resembling the palms &c commonly depicted in all Oriental scenery. At Owae, on the E. Coast, I sent my little Native lad, Ruru, to the top of one, in order to ascertain its height; he gained the apex and sat rocking like a monkey on its crown; the line he sent down I accurately measured and found it to be more than 38 feet in length! An owl is often to be found umbrageously secluded from “Sol’s glaring eye”, perched on the petiole of one of its fronds. At Matapouri, on the E. Coast, I saw one in 1840, which branched off, at 4 feet from the ground, into 3 branches, each branch being about 4 feet in length, and bearing a fine head of fronds. Native name, Ponga. –

127. – The major part of a Petiole from C. medullaris Sw., from a wood near this station. This sp. is the most elegant and splendid of all the Tree Ferns. Often its fronds form a most graceful droop of 18 feet; and when in a situation to be viewed to advantage (as it often is by the side of a purling rill of delicious water,) it presents a most lovely object to the entranced gaze of the beholder. The stalk seldom grows high; yet I saw one, near Wangarei, which was from 12 to 14 feet from ground to the springing of the petioles. – and, should the (doubtful) one I saw prostrate in Waikare forest, prove to be of this sp., [vide, sheet 115.] it then will be the tallest I have yet noticed; that measured 42 feet in height! The pith of C. medullaris is eaten by the New Zealanders, and is one of the best and most nutritious of all their indiginous articles of food. They call it Korau in the N. parts of this Island; at the Sd. it is known by the name of Mamaku

128. – The Coalescent Stalk & petioles of Asplenium pennigerum, Sw., from the banks of a rivulet, in the path hence to Wangaruru Bay, E. Coast. This Fern, in congenial situations near streams, often presents this arborescent appearance.

129. – A Petiole of the Para of the New Zealanders, with a portion of the substance attached, which is (or rather, was) eaten by them. This is the petiole of the fronds from whence the specimens sent were cut. I have supposed it to be a sp. of Marattia, and probably M. elegans, Endl. – a very scarce fern, perhaps from its being formerly so much sought after as an article of food by the Natives. It only grows in the deepest recesses of the forest, where, by the sides of streams, the fronds attain a large size. It is remarkable for the joint-like process by which the frondlets are attached to the stipe, which in its living state, act as joints, allowing the frondlets to play up & down with every breeze of wind. I forwarded specimens to A.C. in l839. – In woods, on the E. Coast, near Owae.

130. – Lomaria Fraseri; this pretty fern often, in humid woods, assumes an arborescent appearance. In returning from Wangarei Bay, in 1840, I passed through a dense and wet forest, where this graceful Fern abounded. I gathered two specimens. (one of which I now send, the caudex of the one I have by me measures 9 inches more in the length than this one,) and wishing to preserve them entire I carried them both myself for many a weary mile through thick jungle and forests; sometimes protecting them by the flag of my coat, sometimes with my body, from Rubus and other shrubs which seemed determined on destroying my prizes; – and am now most happy in sending you one in a perfect state.

13l. – A phial; containing Peperomia Urvilliana, A. Richard, in spirit. A common plant in sheltered situations, rocky cliffs, Bay Islands.

132. – Must speak for itself; sundry Fungi; flowers of Freycineta Banksii: &c, &c,

133. – This phial contains what I believe to be the true Larvæ of Sphæria Robertsii. These Larvæ are abundant in their Season on the leaves of the Convolvulus edulis? (the Kumara of the New Zealanders,) to the great annoyance of the Natives, who plant this root as a main article of food, and whose occupation at such times is to collect and destroy them, which they do in great numbers. They vary a little in colour, as the specimens, now sent, show. The Natives call them, Hotete, and Aruhe, (the same names which they give to Sph. Robertsii, and always speak of them as identical with that Fungus. The cormnon belief is, that both these (on the Kumara) and those (which bear the Fungi,) alike descend from the clouds! arising, doubtless, from their sudden appearance and countless numbers.

134. – A moth from the Larvæ, No. 133. I have fully satisfied myself as to the genuineness of this Insect. In 1836, I kept the Larvæ under glasses, feeding them with the leaves of the Kumara (much to the annoyance of the Natives) until the perfect Insect was produced. There can not reasonably be a doubt but that this Insect deposits her eggs on the Branches of the Rata, (Metrosideros robusta, A.C. ?)¹²² (beneath which Tree only the Sph. Robertsii has hitherto been found,) whence they fall to the Earth beneath, die, & the Sphæria is produced. I think I can offer a fact, for consideration, relative to their being only found beneath M. robusta. On a fine evening, in last summer, I was, as usual, enjoying a promenade in my garden. The Sun had just set, and I was occupied in remarking the splendour of some fine plants of Mirabilis, which had just unfolded their scarlet petals; when, suddenly, several of these Moths made their appearance, darting about the plants in every direction, pursuing one another, and eagerly striving to obtain the honey which lay in the bottom of the of the perianths of the Mirabilis. From the plants they flew up to the flowers of a stately Agave (A. Americana,) where, being joined by other moths, their congeners, their numbers soon increased, and thus, every evening, during the whole season, they continued to enjoy themselves. Now, the inference I deduce is this, That, the M. robusta, flowering at this season, and having scarlet flowers, which abound in honey, becomes the centre of attraction to these Insects, increased too, by its densely-crowded cona of inflorescence. More particularly so, from the Flowers always being at the extremity of its branches; from which, and from their colour, this Tree may always be distinctly recognised from the other trees of the forest, even when at a great distance. The Larvæ, on which the Sphæria is found, when first taken out of the Earth, is white internally, and both breaks and cuts with ease; and appears, solid and succulent. A finely-cut and thin slice, when held against the light presents a beautiful appearance

The mosses, &c, are roughly numbered, for your greater convenience in a future reference concerning them. They must speak for themselves. Hitherto, I have not been much in the habit of collecting them, as my old friend and Botanl. correspondent cared little about them. No 110 (?) a large woody fungus, found in damp woods on living Trees and fallen Timber, gives out, in drying, a peculiar black powder. No. 111, I found on the summit of the highest ridge of hills near Wangarei Bay: whilst there, enjoying the noble prospect before me, I thought on you, and gathered it purposely for your collection. 112, I obtained from a bog near Wairua, in the same journey; March, l841.

I trust, my dear Sir William, that your patience is not quite exhausted with the excessive tediousness of my very prolix epistle through which you have been for some time wading. Just allow me to make a remark or two more, and I must close. –

I have always considered Niphobolus rupestris, and N. bicolor, to be but one species, and am happy to find that A. Cunningham has also expressed the same opinion, (vide, “Comp. to Bot. Mag.,” vol. II p.363.) his remarks are worthy of observation. I think my specimens now forwarded will also satisfy you on this point. Doodia aspera, and D. caudata, I am also constrained to look on as being but one sp. I have sought most diligently, and have seen thousands of living specimens,) for it is one of the commonest Ferns we have, and am still of opinion, that they are but one; having often seen them both on one plant. The plant is very irregular in its growth, seldom meeting with 2 fronds exactly alike. Possibly the error may arise from considering the two sp, as belong. to N. Zealand. A.C. gives no description of them in his Precursor; and, by his silence on the latter sp., evidently seems to say that neither himself nor his Brother had ever noticed D. caudata (as a distinct.) in
N. Zealand.

In Waikare wood, on Decr, 3l/40 I measured the trunk of a living Fuchsia (F. excorticata, Forster,) and found it to be, in girth 33 inches, and in height 21 feet.

A Coriaria sarmentosa, Forst., which I saw at Wairua, measured, in girth, 34 inches, and another, which stood close by, 23 inches. ––

On the banks of the R. Wairua was formerly a tree, the lower part of which was a Kahikatea, (Dacrydium excelsum,) and the upper a Manoao, (my new pine.) This, for a number of years was highly venerated by the Natives, who regarded it with superstitious respect. Lately, however, the upper part died, though the lower is still living. I did not see the Tree myself, but the Natives of these parts, have, viva voce attested to the truth of it. I believe them, for they are much more accurate in their observance of such things, than we are commonly willing to give them credence for.

I intend to forward a Cabin of living Pines pr first vessel direct hence to England. Should I not hear from you in the interim, I shall consign them to the Loddiges, and to their disposal, subject only to your refusal. When I so send I shall take the liberty of informing you of their departure.

You must, my dear Sir William, have perceived how very often throughout my letter, I have hesitated to speak positively, concerning many described and well-known plants. Now, this, to me, is most irksome. When I wrote you last, I wrote a Bookseller with whom I deal, for some Botanl. works, which, from some mishap or other, have never yet arrived. I cannot again order those Books until I hear from him, for it is possible that they may be near at hand. But, I would still further thank you, if you could kindly procure and send me (though the Church Missy. House,) some good and useful Botanical Work, as a Book of Reference, a kind of Index Generum. I have “Lindley’s Introduction” and “Natural System” (?) but find it of little use to me, as it says nothing whatever concerning the Generic char. of plants. Brown’s Prodr., Forster’s ditto, Endlicher’s Prodr. N. Isld. and the future Nos. of your “Enumeratio Filicum” (of which I have been favoured with the two first,) would be of great service. I see there is a little new Work by Newman on the British Ferns which I should be most happy to possess. For this purpose I enclose a Draft on our Socy. for £10, which you will kindly lay out for me, in the purchase of such works as you may deem useful. For although my time is fully employed, yet as a recreation I am passionately & increasingly attached to the Science. I confess I feel more disposed to give my attention to the Ferns, Orchideæ, Mosses, & Lichens, than to plants of the Exogenous Class.

I won’t fail to remember to procure a good specn. of Phormium tenax for you when the season comes round; I send you, in this lot, a poor specn. of the same. It is rather a difficult matter to get the flowers, &c, of this plant to dry well. I believe I have discovered a 2nd. and very distinct sp., which I have, at present, thriving in my garden. I wait, however, to see it flower.

I hope soon to hear from you: – I much wish to see those little Orchideæ delineated, with your able description. I intended giving you a quotation or two from poor Cunningham’s last letter to me; very nearly, if not quite, the last he ever wrote! (Being dated, May 24/39, he died in the June following,) but I really must defer doing so till my next communication.

Allow me to request, that when you send me the Books I have desired, to put up a few phials, tubes, corks for ditto, and some small chip boxes, and a gall. of sp. of wine in stoppd. Bottles. Don’t send to me by any vessel via Wellington (the new City that is to be at the other end of this Island,) packages may just as well be at Terra del Fuego.

I hope to study A.C.’s able “Precursor”, ere I write you again, which I hope to do also at no very distant period.

A few weeks since we were honored with a visit from Lady Franklin, who (whilst looking over a portion of my collection,) informed me, that she had lately seen your son, Dr. Hooker, at Hobart Town, and that he was much gratified in finding the Moss which bears your name. I trust yet to have the pleasure of seeing your son at this place and shall be most happy to accompany him to that splendid natural Collection of Ferns and Mosses, which abound at the Kerikeri waterfall – a place, where the Cunningham’s, Baron Hugel, and others, have Botanized, overwhelmed with admiration at Flora’s profusion.

I have lately been engaged in arranging my

And now, my very dear Sir William, I must indeed conclude. – I little thought, when I commenced, to write you such a volume. Pardon my numerous Botanical inaccuracies, for I am but in my noviciate – a Telemachus without a Mentor – Accept the few specimens sent – and, believe me

Ever most sincerely & attachedly yours,

William Colenso

P.S. May I still further encroach on your kindness, and be allowed to request you to purchase me, either, Smith’s “English”, or, your “British” Flora? as a Book of Ref. for Eng. Botany. Whichever work of the two you may consider as likely to he most useful to me. Together with your “Introduction to Botany”. I also want Nos. 1, 2, and 4, to complete the “Annals of Nat. Histy.” – the last No. of which is 25 – I should wish to have the remaining Nos. of that vol. (IV) so as to complete it. And to become a Subsr. to your “Journal of Botany”; the last no of which recd. by me, is 15. All Books intended as Referential I should wish to have bound in plain calf. I trust I need not say that any little outlay you may make on my a/c I shall most cheerfully repay, with many thanks –

Forgive me, my dear Sir William, for thus cramming you with agencies of this nature, and permit my peculiar situation in such a land as this in some measure to apologize for my so doing. ––

W.C.

July 26/41,

Once more, then, my dear Sir William, I bid you Farewell! – May the specimens sent reach you in safety

W.C.

A note at the bottom of the letter, presumably in Hooker’s handwriting, lists the following:

Books sent to Mr. Colenso By April 18. 1842,

1. Don’s Brit. & Gardening 4 vol. 4to.

2. De Candolle’s Prodr. vol. I-VI Emend. & interleaved

3. Hook Brit. Flora. vol. I. ed 4 & 5

4. Icones Plantm. Parts 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12

5. Musci Exotici 1. 2. 8vo.

6. Journl. of Bot. 15-32 & suppl. complete.

7. Do, New Series Nos. 1-4. 5-13. 14. (15. 16. 17. 18. by Mr. Chapman.

Jan. 27. 1843.

8, Bot. illustrations ed. l.

9. Do. Do. ed. 2.

10. Med. of D. of Bedford.

11. Willms. Journl. of Norway

12. Genera Filicum (……?) VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII.

13. Ann. of Nat. Hist. Nos, 1. 2. 4. 26 & 27.

14. Smith’s Intr. to Bot. by Hooker.

________________________________________________

August-September 1841¹²³ (to JD Hooker)
Paihia Station,

Wednesy. Morng.

My dear Sir,

Many thanks for your kind remembering me with Endlicher, which, by the bye, I have scarce time to look into. I rejoice at your finding 3 Rubus, besides R. australis, and hope they may prove distinct & well defined species. I think on examination your Pteris will prove a Lindsæa, and one, too, long known to the writer (who first found it in that very locality) & sent by him to your Father.

With reference to your kind Invitation, to pay you and your gallant Bark a visit today, I fear I must refrain from doing so, independent of what the weather may prove, for if I take today; I must, of necessity, give up Friday, which I should be sorry to do, as I hope to have the pleasure of your company on that day. I hope, also, to see you tomorrow, either from 8 to 12, morning, or from 2 to 6, evening, as I have a half a day to spare. If you should not come this way by 10, and the weather permits, I shall conclude you won’t give me a call ’till the afternoon, and shall proceed to Kororareka, the village opposite, where I have some business to transact.

I have, however, set down in the Book of Remembrance, next Monday or Tuesday as the day in which I hope to visit the “Erebus”. – It is very unfortunate that I should be so pressed for time just now, and doubly so, too, as I have to leave things in such a state next week that the work, over which I have the charge, may proceed in my absence.

Pray, my dear Sir, when you come tomorrow, bring the 1^st or last of De Candolle, with you; and your 2 pair specs. that I may seize the present opportunity of giving a fair trial to their lenses.

Believe me

Yours very truly

W. Colenso

Paihia

J. Hooker Esq.

&c &c &c.
My dear Sir

I hardly know what apology to make, for my not having ere this visited your ship; but my very numerous and onerous duties will, I trust, plead my defence. I am in hopes of seeing you tomorrow; which day and Friday I have as it were located for the pleasure of your company – pray come as early as you can. Should the weather be fine, I think we had better make the most of it, (seeing that both you and I have duties to perform,) and proceed to Kerikeri waterfall, returning the Friday evening. I have but 2 hands, as rowers, but if we start early we shall be able to get on with my small boat. Should however, the wind, &c, prove unfavourable, we can proceed to some other suitable spot nearer home.

According to appointment, I must leave for the Coast on the 15^th. Sept., consequently, considering your only having one half of the week at your disposal, we must make the most of our time.

If you have a Generum Filicum¹²⁴ at hand, pray bring it with you. I have but few Botanl. works, though I have some on order.

If convenient let me hear from you by Bearer, as to whether you had made any other arrangements for tomorrow.

I send you the letter I mentioned as having received from your Father, for your perusal, which you can return at your convenience.

and am

My dear Sir

W. Colenso

Paihia

Monday Eveg.

Your kind offer to lend me Sprengel, Forster, & Brown, induces me to send my Boat, this afternoon, to fetch the same: as, busy though I am by day, I have an hour or two in the evening which I must make the most of.

I hope your specimens from the Kerikeri have rewarded your indefatiguable research & patient endurance of cold & cramp & wetting – I am sure you will regret with me my loss, when I tell you, that all my specimens (from my late trip on the E. Coast) were destroyed by fire yesterday, through the carelessness of my lad who was in charge. Fortunately nothing else was injured. My poor lizard, too, died during our visit to the Waterfall; I have managed to preserve him in spirits.

Is there a probability of my getting any Spirits of Wine from anyone on board the Erebus? –

I hope to see you on Thursday morning – but I intend writing you a Note (should I not see you here) on Wednesday – to inform you fully of our movements.

Ever my dear Sir

W. Colenso

Eveg.

&c &c
My dear friend

I have just returned from taking a stroll with Dr. Sinclair¹²⁵ to your “Muddy-muddy” – and, in the course of conversation, have been given to understand, that in the 1^d-Cyclopedia is a good article on Botany & Conchology – and, moreover, that you have the work – Now I won’t apologise for asking you to allow me a peep at it, and to bring it on shore with you tomorrow when you come this way – which, I am given to learn, will be ere Phoebus peeps over the Eastern hills. – Oh! never again think that you gentlemen of the R. N. have but little time to call your own – or, when you do so, think on the writer.

I forgot to mention to you this evening, that I had just received No. 1 of the “Tasmanian Journal” from Henslowe – who again asks for “my” contribn!!

By-the-bye, I must get you to explain what you mean by an “amianthus-like moss on the ventricle of the stump.”

Excusez moi –

Ever most truly yrs

W. Colenso.

Missn. Station,

Thursday night.

J. D. Hooker, Esqr.

&c &c &c

H. M. S “Erebus”

According to promise I send your Books to Dr. Sinclair’s in Lodgings; availing myself of the opportunity of sending a ½ doz. Stout and a Bottle Claret, for your use when Botanizing at the base (or peak) of Mt. Erebus, which I pray you to accept. Would that my Cellar allowed of my doing so in a manner more worthy of your acceptance.

Our acquaintance, my dear friend, has been, indeed, brief! and that, too, under great disadvantages – but, believe me, I shall ever remember you; and though it is not probable that we shall ever meet on earth again, yet I endeavour to console myself with the hope of hearing from and corresponding with you. – You are going, my friend, to scenes of – perhaps – danger, but look beyond second causes, and ever put your trust in HIM, who stills the raging of the waves and holds the winds in his fist. May that Benevolent Being ever keep you! and may HE grant you a safe return to your Native Land, and a happy meeting with your Family and Friends! –

A Dieu, Hooker, A Dieu! Sometimes think on New Zealand, and on your

attached friend

William Colenso

C. M.
26 July 1842¹²⁶

Paihia. July 26/42

Sir W. J. Hooker.

My dear Sir William

Excuse and accept of a scrap – vessel under weigh and very busy. Get the enclosed seeds sown as soon as you can – 1, and 4, particularly. I am getting ready a Box for you; many new ferns, and specimens of other plants. Hope to send it off in a month and hope to hear too from yourself and ever-present son, soon.

Once more, excuse this – shade of an apology,

and Believe me,

Very truly yrs,

W. Colenso.

________________________________________________

1 September 1842¹²⁷