From James Roberts to Ferdinand von Mueller   15 July 1884

York Nursery Kew¹

15 July 1884.

Dear Baron

Thanks for your note² and Enclosed slips in re this Latouria (Dendrobe) I regret very much indeed that I was not at the Field Naturalists meeting to see this plant which I learn was Exhibited.³ I regret the more as I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing any of these Island Dendrobes & other Orchids that from time⁴ 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 fl⁵ 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 quiet⁶ 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 Catleya⁷ 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 Calanthe 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 with⁸ — 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" Gun⁹ 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

Calanthe

Catleya

Dendrobium Undulatum

Latouria

Phaius Grandifolius