No summary available.

JDH has returned to Darjeeling after a trip to the mountains. The Kazi of Lingcham accompanies JDH & likes the Murwa pot. JDH's route passed the Great Rungeet & a spur of Kinchin [Kanchenjunga]. Met Archibald Campbell [AC] in Teesta valley, the former had a hard journey obstructed by Sikkim officials. JDH was welcomed at villages en route & they gave him more than enough food for his party. AC & the Sikkim Rajah camped on opposite sides of the river. The Rajah's Dewan is a rogue. Describes audience with the Rajah, his manners, appearance & gifts exchanged. The camp was in Bhomsong, a valley with tropical forests incl. palms & Sikkim Pandanus. JDH began the march to the Lachen & Lachoon [Lachung]passes, AC came as far as Pemiongchi monastery then left for the Titalya fair. Ascended forest covered Mainomchoo Mt, crowned with Abies webbiana & a wooden temple. Made sketches & meteorological observations. Collected mosses, Rhododendrons incl. R. falconeri & an alpine bamboo. Describes Lama convent at Tassiding, incl. buildings & decoration by Lhassa artists. There was no sign of Hindu religion. On the road were slabs engraved with Tibetan characters. Also visited, Yuksun [Yuksom] on the Ratong River & Doobdee [Dubdi] convents where Cypress trees used to make wreaths. Describes ascent to & view from Jongri yak port above the snow line at 13000 ft. Notes the geology & glacial features of the range & view of Pundim & Kubroo peaks. Vegetation Herbaceous but incl. Tingurisella Pine. Describes marching through snow & danger of snow blindness. Collected strong-scented dwarf Rhodo. which causes headaches, rock lichen, Andrea, a Splachnum, 46 species of fern chiefly Spheropteris. Visited holy lake & Changachelling convents where his likeness was painted onto the wall. The journey was without mishap, the Bhotheas [Bhotias] & Lepcha people were hospitable. At Darjeeling JDH is staying with Muller, whose brother Charles is at Patna, & arranging his collections & museum specimens.

Thanks WJH for information on J. D. Hooker’s progress.

J. D. Hooker promised a copy of his Galapagos paper. Can WJH forward one to the Athenaeum?

Discusses the death of his Uncle Gurney who was well respected in Calcutta [Kolkata], & the death of Williams in unhealthy jungle. Urges his father not to worry, JDH avoiding unhealthy places with the advice of [Brian Houghton] Hodgson [BHH]. Assam is unhealthy at this time of year & tensions with Nepal on the NW frontier will hamper travel to Cattmandu [Kathmandu] so Hooker will stay at Darjeeling & the Himalayas. Wants to make more geological, geographical & meteorological observations of Kinchin [Kanchenjunga] as well as collect its botany. Whilst in Darjeeling he will continue to collect specimens, draw plants, prepare his flora 'Cibaria & Economira' & send roots to Kew. He hopes to visit 'the snows' again at least as far as Jongri. JDH has received letters from home with news of Bessy's [Elizabeth Hooker] illness & recovery & Planchon's contemptible conduct. Also received instruments from Newman & Jacket & books forwarded through Colvile. Discusses publication of new Rhododendrons & the identification, characteristics & proposed names for different Rhodo. species: macrophyllum, campbelliae, wallichii or setosum, argentuem or arboretum & falconeri. Mentions Reeves & the LONDON JOURNAL OF BOTANY. Discusses the likelihood of Thomson joining him from Ferozepore [Firozpur]. Mentions Madden, Wallich & the [Calcutta Botanic] Garden, Falconer being sent to Moulmain [Mawlamyine] to report on Teak & Macrae taking over. Soane river collections not yet sent home, will be shared with the East India Company, Linnean Society & Calcutta Gardens. Bentham has taken up Vogel. Discusses running of the [RBG Kew] herbarium, including outgrowing Aiton House & needing an assistant, he suggests Mitten, not Spruce. JDH ordering instruments for Muller. Brown has been staying at Kew & JDH is willing to make amends. There is no Zallacca at Darjeeling, only Wallichia. Speculates on the future of ANNALS OF KEW & the Linnean Society incl. possibility of WJH being chair.

No summary available.

JDH has collected Rhododendron seeds at 13000 ft & will enclose seeds of a 13th species, the great white macrophyllum, in a letter to be sent by the 8th [April]. Other seeds sent include; acorns looked over by Hodgson, & chestnuts. When boxes arrive JDH will send; seedlings of Rhododendrons, a Primula, Palms drawings, seeds of a Calamus & 2 genera; Caryota & Calami. JDH says Wallichi Chamerops is not found in Darjeeling. JDH procured trunks of a species of tree fern at the foot of the hills, 1 dichotomous & plenty of specimens, also Beaumontia fully in flower, & cones of A. Brunoniana. JDH discusses Wallich, Griffiths & McLelland. JDH mentions he will speak to Falconer about fruit collected in Calcutta [Kolkata] & Palm Stems on his return. JDH & Hodgson have been reading Broomfield's letters in the L[ondon] J[ournal] B[otany] with great pleasure. JDH discusses how Ld. Auckland's death will affect his future prospects as Supernumerary Acting Surgeon in Borneo. JDH mentions: Ab[ies] Brunoniana, the Teta he believes is Bentham's Picrorhiza, & the Jatamansi he believes is Valeriana. JDH complains his servant Hoffman is inferior to Clamanze. Wight has sent JDH books in return for Flora Antarct[ica], & is sending WJH seeds as well as working up 22 species of Utricularia & putting them near Cyrtand[ra].JDH mentions: Jenkins, Balfour, Forbes, Wallich, Bentham, Brown & the coal fossil of E. Grey. JDH has a parcel of 20 species of dried Rhododendrons arriving in Calcutta before the next mail. Jenkins has heard of Lobb's arrival down the river. JDH is sketching the coniferous vegetation of E[ast] Nepal & Sikkim for the As[iatic] Soc[iety] Journal & LJB.JDH understands that Thomson has been offered the Opium Deputy Agency at Patna & discusses Dr Corbett's previous position there. He mentions Sir H Maddock & O'Shaughnessy in relation to the application process.

No summary available.

No summary available.

No summary available.

JDH is en route to 'the snows'. A fragrant Artemisia sp. is common though atypical for the climate. Before leaving Darjeeling JDH sent RBG Kew: seeds, Sikkim, Bhotean & Thibethan cloth, tree fern sections, Amadou string , brick tea, a bamboo fishing basket of the Sikkim Mechis of the Terai, Lepcha & Thibetan weapons, flutes, Caryota cotton, Chinese tea called 'Dut-hang' , Bhotea cups, an elephant motif comb used by Ghorkhas [Gurkhas], red paste for marking caste, a letter from the Durmah Rajah on Daphne paper wrapped in silk, 'mech' cloth, a woollen 'do', a Mountain Armadillo cap, a flageolet, a hookah, shields & knives. He has also sent plants of Rhododendron dalhousiae, R. argentums, R. falconeri, Magnolia, Helmingia & Orchideae, to be forwarded through Mr Macrae. JDH had letters about [George] Gardener's death & his collections from Dr Fleming of the army in Ceylon [Sri Lanka] & from Wight. Clamanze has arrived with JDH's collections at the Calcutta Botanic Gardens, where Falconer is expected. JDH discusses the uncertain route of his Sikkim expedition & if he will be hindered by the Rajah & the Lasso Kaji: the lately rejected Vakeel, who could stop JDH crossing the Teesta. JDH's party comprises soldiers, [Brian Houghton] Hodgson's shooters, Lepchas, Sikkim Bhoteas. [Archibald] Campbell came as far as the Great Rungeet. JDH discusses his new servant's faults & the hospitable Cathcart. The ship 'Malabar' bringing Adye's instruments has reached Calcutta [Kolkata]. JDH mentions Captain Mac Luckie's account of a sea serpent in the ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, identified by Prof Owen as a seal. Discusses some barley, the health of Thomas Thomson, & Wallich & McLeland's quarrels reported by Dr O'Shaugnessy. Further up the mountain JDH has collected: a yellow Cymbidium; a funny tree resembling 'Putraajira', which he will identify using Endlicher's book; & Wallichia. This letter will be taken to Dajeeling by Tcheba Lama. The Rajah has sent Hooker his old guide Meepo.

Map of JDH’s route from Darjeeling showing the Lachen & Lachong passes, the Chola range & his location near the Thibet [Tibet] frontier. He can see the source of the Lachen [River] at the base of Kinchin [Kinchinjunga]. JDH wrote to his mother from Choongtam & to Bentham from Lachen. The villagers are indifferent to JDH's expedition. He draws on the granary that Campbell stored for him at Choongtam. A purple Dentaria & a Polygonum make excellent pot herbs. He describes explorations through scrub of Wallich’s Rhododendron campanulatum, different to WJH’s in 'Botanical Magazine', & the vegetation of the area. JDH discusses his instruments and study of geology & geography. The Rajah has made threats for if JDH enters Thibet. JDH plans to travel up the Rungeet to Jongri. JDH discusses the prospect of going to Borneo for government. He wonders why Lobb is not sent to Darjeeling as he could get Veitch a good collection. JDH aims to open the way for explorers after him. The Rajah has gone to Chumbi & ordered the villages to share food with JDH. He discusses western Borneo & does not believe[James] Brooke’s account, especially after spending time with the Dutch East India Company. JDH would do better at RBG Kew than Borneo, despite his yearning to travel. He discusses government purchasing WJH’s herbarium & library. Graham’s fetched £900. JDH urges WJH to speak to Lord Carlisle about Borneo. Lord Auckland's death does not negate JDH’s obligations. JDH discusses finances; Findley advised him things were bad in Calcutta [Kolkata]. He is sorry the Coelogynes arrived dead; Macrae will attend to further roots sent. Falconer has written to him, JDH fears the H.E.I. [Honorable East India Company] gardens are in trouble. Lord Dalhousie does not care for science. JDH discusses how best to send collections home. Mrs Lawrence succeeded with the Amherstia. JDH discusses identification of Rhododendrons & D.C.[De Candolle’s] divisions of genera. Humbolt complained to JDH about Pentland.

JDH has received letters from WJH, Lady Maria Hooker, his Aunt & Uncle Palgrave & Elizabeth [his sister]. After JDH crossed the river into Tibet, the Bhotans sent word of 140 Tibetan soldiers approaching to turn him out. The Bhot Soubah begged to be absolved of blame; which JDH arranged with Campbell in Darjeeling. JDH describes the vegetation & scenery. He eats 'Chokli-bi' daily which is a Smilacina. One of his Rhododendron collections was ruined on the way to Darjeeling. The Sikkim Rajah is troublesome & JDH has difficulty getting food despite Campbell sending some. JDH is glad WJH liked his fungi & has nothing more to say about Borneo. The Admiralty would like him to give it up. JDH discusses [George] Gardner’s effects. JDH discusses publications; he will let Reeves publish anything but the journals which are for the RBG Kew Annals. Peel will be happy with Hoya. JDH has written a severe letter to Falconer & thinks the [Calcutta] garden is in trouble. He discusses postal methods; parcels to Colvile will not be free. JDH wants Phillips to buy the Rumphian wood cabinet on his behalf; Brown will have it for the British Museum. WJH should tell Veitch to send Lobb to Darjeeling; he can accompany JDH when he returns there in Oct. JDH is grateful for Pentland’s letter but his observations of the horary oscillations differ, as shown by his barometer readings. Sabine has proved the theories he alludes to. No traveller has a meteorological record comparable to JDH’s. Thomson wrote from Simla [Shimla] & plans to join JDH in Dec. JDH will write to thank Sir E.T.[Emerson Tennent] regarding Ceylon [Sri Lanka]. Cecil Beadon will forward WJH some opium things for the museum. Wight is also sending WJH things; JDH praises his ICONES. He is sorry to hear of Endlicher’s death. JDH is collecting moths which he stifles in Cajuput [oil] & stores in tissue paper. He eats musk deer & wild leeks. He mentions Wallich, Lindley & Fortune.

JDH wrote to Lindley, asking him to inform WJH of his wellbeing. They have had bad weather & dwindling food stores since JDH last wrote. They are now at the fork of the river immediately above Lachen. The Bhoteas [Bhotias] have reported that Chinese Lepchas are coming to drive them away & they heard that 60 Tibetans seized JDH’s plants. He sent the Coolie Sirdar to retrieve them as Meepo was too afraid & he reported seeing huge Tibetans called Sikars[?]. JDH describes an encounter with the men at camp & is not sure if he had crossed the Tibetan border or not. Their rice finally arrived after his people found a circuitous route to Choongtam & another load came from Darjeeling along with letters from Campbell & Humboldt. JDH’s servant Clements is ill in Calcutta [Kolkata] & Falconer has engaged another man for him named de Cruz[?], probably one of the Del Crusca[?] family. JDH describes some of the plants he has collected & discusses the drawings & specimens he is sending to RBG Kew. JDH writes of the new genera of Rhododendron & has collected woods all along the Teesta River. He requests a new pocket lens; Mr Ward will know the type as he got one for Thomson. The Rajah has sent a man to resolve the difficulties & sends gifts of silk, fine Tibetan cloth & curious fruits named ‘Gundroom’ from Persia, of which he includes a sketch. JDH is sorry WJH cannot get a man for Ceylon [Sri Lanka]; he thinks Thwaites could be suitable & will encourage him to renew his attention to systematic botany to qualify himself. He will write to Frances [Henslow] next mail. The list of unidentified Orchidaceae Smith sent are undoubtedly JDH's.

JDH has written to Frances [Henslow] & since then has stood on the table plateau beyond the Sikkim boundary. He thought the Tchebu Lama’s letter had removed all difficulties, however Campbell had misunderstood. The Singtam Soubah is a good man but JDH describes difficulties with the Lachen Soubah & the Choongtam Lama. Everybody he met denied the existence of the Kongra Lama pass. The Rajah asked him to return to Darjeeling but JDH refused. The Soubah has been in Lhasa Dijauhi[?] & promised to take JDH to Tungu, but JDH had promised not to enter Tibet or 'Cheen'. After JDH treated the Singtam Soubah when he was ill, the man agreed to take him to Kongra Lama & told him that Tungu was actually in Sikkim. Samdong, the bridge, is 8 miles north of the Lachen River. The Soubah of Lachen made his apologies & the Bhoteans are civil to him again. JDH describes their journey. Tibetans use the route to graze their yaks & make butter which they eat with Fagopyrum bread. He discusses the churns they use. JDH describes visiting Peppin’s [the Lachen Soubah] camp with his dog Kinchin. They then travelled between Kinchin –jow & Chomiomo until they reached a ridge connecting the two on which a cairn stood. JDH was finally at the back of the Himalayas; comparing it to Kanglachan &Wallanchoon[?]. He discusses the snow line. He made a sketch of the landscape. The vegetation was sparse but he got good barometer readings. JDH returned on a sure-footed Tartar pony. He cannot stay there long as the road to Choongtam is too poor for food to be collected. His men often fall ill between Choongtam & Darjeeling but he treats them with quinine & calomel. JDH will not return to Darjeeling until Sep or Oct.

“We now have now several hundred [plant] specimens dried and drying”; sowed seeds of palms and fruit trees; have flowers including orchids. In September hope to send my collections to England and then go upriver, will explore Montalegre [sic] and north shores of Amazon. Ferns abundant here, especially Hepaticae. Enclose a note for Mr. Smith about his plants from Kew. Bringing assistant from London was a mistake, as he is drained of energy in this hot climate; cannot keep up with blacks, who are also “expert at climbing trees” with a rope and work for half the pay. Has seen ARW, who has “quarreled [sic] & separated long ago from Bates, who is now at mouth of the Tocantins. ARW has gone to Monte Alegre.

JDH is en route to Lachoong [Lachung] Pass but must first dry & send his plants to Darjeeling. He has many from the Lachen valley & wanted to stay longer despite the Rajah. [Archibald] Campbell [AC] writes of a lot of fever between there & Darjeeling but the Lachung road is safer. He wants Astragali, Cruciferae etc. from the Tibetan slopes or the table-land of Lachen. JDH took a Tartar pony up to 17000ft. He is now at 6000ft & describes the varied vegetation. He thinks the dangers are exaggerated, despite the discomfort of leeches. WJH’s letter arrived with PS from Lord Carlisle. He is glad the government has given up the Borneo grant. The Indian troops say Borneo is worse than Hindustan. [James] Brookes defends it only as a Naval depot. JDH is annoyed with AC’s politeness towards the Rajah; he had to rely on the Soubah’s help. JDH & AC also disagree about the location of the Tibet frontier at Neenla[?]. JDH will send seeds & roots of Jatamansi for the museum. Thomson is still at Simla [Shimla]. JDH will not take magnetic observations for the R.H.[Royal Horticultural?] Society unless Sabine sends the insgtruments. He dismisses the aneroid & would rather Newman send another small barometer. Muller has bought the instruments last sent; Hodgson also wants some as does Mr Middlesmiss[?] who cultivates tea at Khersiong. He congratulates WJH on Thwaites appointment & will write to him at Ceylon [Sri Lanka] about the importance of systematic botany & the 'Flora Zeylanica'. He is glad WJH has written to Jenkins & that Stevens does well. The seeds in Wallich’s letter were for WJH. He discusses the oaks & chestnuts there, his opinions on Spruce, Rhododendron formosum & the Palaeontographical Society. He will write to Bentham. JDH complains of Reeves, who has neglected sending copies of JDH's works. All India loves RHODODENDRONS OF THE SIKKIM-HIMLAYA. WJH should beware of Pentland who takes credit for Humboldt’s discovery.

JDH has received WJH's letter & discusses the sale of [George] Gardner's herbarium & library. He thinks Thomas Thomson would be a large purchaser. If it were valued & put on sale, JDH, WJH, Bentham & Thomson might subscribe with Lindley & Brown to buy the Cingalore portion. JDH is anxious of Thwaites's success as a botanist. He is glad WJH passed Lord Carlisle's note to [Brian Houghton] Hodgson. JDH discusses the Rhododendron books Falconer wrote his opinion of Reeves. He thanks WJH for the copies of his Journal & the Admiralty Manual. Falconer reports that all 150 Rhododendron roots were dead on arrival at Calcutta [Kolkata]. JDH discusses sending more. He cannot get Cupressus funebris; Larch & Abies brunoniana are fruiting . He describes A. webbiana, A. spinulosa does not grow at the Lachoong [Lachung] valley. He has asked [Archibald] Campbell to let him visit Lachen again & talks of the results of his Tibetan cruise & of reaching the Tibetan plateau. He has recently returned from visiting a pass within 10 miles of Pari & Holy Mount Chumalari, which leads to Choombi [Chumbi], though only at the height of Kongra Lama [The end of this letter is missing but a copy of the complete letter can be found at JDH_1_10_201-203 (JHC No.91)].

[This is a more complete manuscript copy of the incomplete original letter found at JDH/1/10 f.200 (JHC90)]. JDH has received WJH's letter & discusses the sale of [George] Gardner's herbarium & library. He thinks Thomas Thomson [TT] would be a large purchaser. If it were valued & put on sale, JDH, WJH, Bentham & TT might subscribe with Lindley & Brown to buy the Cingalore portion. JDH is anxious of Thwaites's success as a botanist. He is glad WJH passed Lord Carlisle's note to [Brian Houghton] Hodgson. JDH discusses the Rhododendron books Falconer wrote & his opinion of Reeves. He thanks WJH for the copies of his Journal & the Admiralty Manual. Falconer reports that all 150 Rhododendron roots were dead on arrival at Calcutta [Kolkata]. JDH discusses sending more. He cannot get Cupressus funebris; Larch & Abies brunoniana are fruiting. He describes A. webbiana, A. spinulosa does not grow at the Lachoong [Lachung] valley. He has asked [Archibald] Campbell [AC] to let him visit Lachen again & talks of the results of his Tibetan cruise & of reaching the Tibetan plateau. He has recently returned from visiting a pass within 10 miles of Pari & Holy Mount Chumalari, which leads to Choombi [Chumbi], though only at the height of Kongra Lama. JDH describes his journey to Kankola, including the vegetation, landscape & weather. He has received letters from Bentham, TT – who intends to join him in November for the Khasya cruise – & Major Madden. Sir James & Miss Colville have gone to Ceylon [Sri Lanka]; Sir Lawrence Peel talks of coming to Darjeeling & AC of joining JDH in October. TT declined Lord Dalhousie’s offer of a medical appointment. JDH discusses his finances. He discusses WJH approaching the Woods & Forests Committee on his behalf & asks to be remembered to Mr Melville of India House. JDH has accepted help from the H.E.I.C.. AC wrote to WJH with 2 copies of JDH's Tonglo Journal from the Asiatic Society's journal. JDH is enclosing a map, seeds & a packet for Falconer.

JDH wrote to WJH from Yeumtong [Yumthang] & has since been into Tibet by the Donkiah Pass - northwest of Chumalari [mountain] & 30 miles beyond the Himalayan range, like Kongra Lama. The pass is different from the Nepal ones, being very narrow between the mountains Donkiah-lah & Kinchin-jhow. JDH describes the landscape & route of the Lachoong River towards Choongtam & the Lachen River across the Cholamu plains. From the top he could see hills of quartz tinged with iron oxide. He does not doubt that the water north of him & west of the Painomchoo feeds the Arun [river]. The Bhotian people do not distinguish between the ranges. JDH sketches a map of the region. The lakes are inferior to those of Lachong. JDH discusses the elevations of the landscape. He cannot go much further owing to Sikkim opposition & Chinese outposts. They are now cut off from Darjeeling & supplies are dwindling. The Singtam Soubah accompanied him to the pass but has now left. JDH describes the curious flora there, along with the landscape. He compares the valley to the crater of a volcano. JDH describes how a sudden snowstorm smashed his thermometer but the barometer, given to him by Henslow, was miraculously unscathed. The thermometer Sabine sent him arrived just in time. He is also glad of the barometer tubes from Newmann. JDH found rock formations similar to those of Cockburn Island. JDH describes his collections & the local wildlife which includes migratory birds.

JDH tells WJH of his plan for the coming year. He is done with Sikkim & Bhotan [Bhutan], or the 'Dhurmah country', is shut to Europeans; it's Rajah is worse than Sikkim’s. The Mishmis are so unhealthy that Jenkins advises against going there. The northwest is being explored by Captain Strachey – only Nepal remains. JDH describes the best route: straight from Darjeeling to Cattmandu [Kathamandu] via Dunkotah & then to Dawalgeri & Kumaron. He describes the difficulties he will face. The Rajah’s leave could not be refused to the Governor General. The expense would be £600 of which he has £300 from Woods & Forests. He has written to Lord Dalhousie on the matter & hopes Thomson will join him. He has also written to Sir Henry Elliot of his intentions. If Thomson does not join him, he will struggle with navigating by astronomy & languages. He describes orientating himself in Sikkim using an Azimuth Compass, but could not do so in Nepal. The languages spoken, besides Hindustani, are Purbuttyah – Ghoorka [Ghurka] colloquial - & Bhote [Tibetan]. He requests a telescope & one of Newman's short barometers. Should there be any obstacles to his plans for going to Nepal, he will take the Khossya Hills instead. JDH discusses his recent explorations which have included two glaciers, & his collections, including a Cyananthus. He wants WJH to grow the great rhubarb 'Tchuka', which he describes, he thinks it is figured in Royle’s Himalaya Flora. A new Rhododendron & Tsalla are common there at 18,000 ft. He adds that it snows everyday.