From Ellen Hutchins to Dawson Turner   24 Jul 1811

July 24

When I wrote to you a few days ago I had only just read your letter & had not time either to reflect upon or answer half of it, but it has since occupied much of my thoughts. Reflection has not diminished my gratitude for the friendship you have shewn me. On the contrary the more I think the more deeply I feel your constant kindness & attention, & the more interested I feel for the happiness of you & yours. I shall look anxiously for your next letter in the hope of hearing a favourable account of Mrs. Turner’s health & of the little babe, who will, I hope, be as healthy as good & as pretty as you can wish her to be. You must tell me a great deal about her.

I am quite disappointed that the Pinguicula did not reach you in a good state. I wish much that you could see Lusitanica fresh. The best distinction I can observe between P. Vulgaris & Grandiflora is the shape of the segments of the corolla, that of Grandiflora being shaped thus [a drawing] Vulgaris thus [a drawing]. The nectary being bifid in each species. You shall some time or other have a copy of a bad drawing of Grandiflora which will enable you to form some opinion on its specific distinction. The outline is, I believe, pretty correct, but the colouring will not bear comparing with nature. It appeared to me shocking when I had the rich Purple flowers to look at. I have a large supply of dried specimens for you.

Yesterday was delightful on the mountain. I went to a small Lake around which the mountains rose very suddenly & cast a deep gloom on the lake. I rather crept than walked up the side of a mountain for the ascent was so steep I could hardly stand upright. Here I met with many Jungermanniæ, two or three that I had not before & finer specimens than I had ever seen of others. I brought home more than I know what to do with, but I could not help pulling off every rock. You shall be abundantly supplied. I intend going to a very steep place that I saw at a distance where a rivulet runs down the side of a mountain. I crossed the rivulet at the bottom of the mountain in a little green valley where a solitary cabin stands from whence nothing but mountains can be seen & at a considerable distance from any other human habitation. I longed to spend a week in this cabin & walk about among the rocks. On stones in the rivulet I saw for the first time Parmelia gelida. Antirrhinum repens I do not want, it grows wild in this country, but not near me. I have it in the garden in plenty. It is a great favourite & when I please my own taste in a flower pot of wild flowers it has a conspicuous place. I shall send immediately for Linnæus’s Lapland tour, & thank you for telling me that it is published. I have been expecting to hear of it for some time past. I enclose specimens, some of the Jungermanniæ found yesterday. No 40 plenty. No 41 rare intermixed with mosses & No 42 still more rare. I met with a few shoots only, but it seems different from any I know. I have planned a few more excursions to the mountains, but my being able to execute what I plan depends on so many circumstances that I can never be sure of any thing. The principal obstacle is the very uncertain state of my Mother’s health. She is very weak & some days so ill that she cannot sit up. She has nearly lost her hearing, & wants me almost constantly. I could not leave her even for a day but that a friend is come to spend some time with us. She is no Botanist but has much good nature & good humour, & much regard for me. My health suffers by confinement, so that I am obliged to exercise a great deal. Pray give my best wishes to Mrs Turner & believe

me Ever Yours

E. Hutchins

July 24th 1811

I will soon ask you for the plants you are so good as to offer. I have from time to time deferred doing so.