To J. D. Hooker   [22 November 1861]

[London]

Friday

My dear Hooker

I have been thinking unless you are sure that your carrier will deliver Bolbophyllum & Catasetum by 1 oclock on Thursday (to care of G. Snow Nag’s Head Borough)1 you had better send the Box per Rail addressed to “C. Darwin care of Down Postman Bromley Kent” & as soon as I heard it was at Bromley, I could send horse & cart for it.— I have friends Hot-House, who well understands Orchids & could take care of the the Catasetum—2 No doubt Nag’s Head best way if in time; & if it not in time I could send to London, for Box.— Let me know when sent to Nag’s Head— Bolbophyllum will be treasure

My dear old fellow | C. D

Endorsement: ‘Nov 22 /61’

1
George Snow operated a weekly carrier service between Down and London, making the return trip to Down every Thursday. The ‘Nag’s Head’ was a public house in Borough, south-east London.
2
In Orchids, p. 158 n., CD thanked George Henry Turnbull of The Rookery, Down, for permitting him to use his hot-house.

Manuscript Alterations and Comments

1.3 per Rail] interl
1.6 take care of the] below del ‘forward the’

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-3326,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-3326