WCP3540

[1]

Broadstone, Dorset.

Dec[embe]^r. 1st. 1903

Henry Deane Esq¹

My dear Mr. Deane

I am very glad to be able to tell you that the Nymphaea gigantea you were so good as to send me about June last, grew quickly and to my great surprise produced two flowers within less than 3 months from the day I received them. The flowers were small, about 4 inches across, but unmistakeably distinct from the African species. It has rounder [2] and much more numerous petals of a different shade of blue, but the most distinct feature is the cluster of stamens almost globular and quite separate from the petals, of a pure canary yellow. In the other species the stamens lie against the petals with broad flat bases, & partly blue coloured so as to produce quite a different appearance. The leaves also are distinct in form & beneath are finely dotted with brownish red, whereas the N.[ymphaea] sentifolia[?] has them pale green quite unspotted.

[3] The leaves however are now dying away, so I suppose the plant is deciduous, & perhaps wants to be cooler when at rest or partly dry. Can you tell me about this? I am most anxious to keep it to flower next year to see if it gets bigger. If it ^ever flowers its full size I can see that it will be extremely handsome.

I rather think that I could now grow your Rock-lily (Dendrobium speciosum). I believe it grows out of doors well at Sydney, and if you could send me a few good bulbs when at rest, I should be much [4] obliged. Very few people in England seem to grow it as I suppose it is not showy enough, or does not grow well with other orchids.

With best wishes | Believe me | Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P. S. I am sure you must have enjoyed your visit to W.[est] Australia where the vegetation is so very peculiar and the species as distinct from those of the East.

A.R.W. [signature]