204 BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 



that my first news, aftei' this long lapse of time, will commu- 

 nicate the tidings that some beloved relative is no more, and 

 this anticipation is a sad drawback to the delight which 

 such a journey as mine affords to the Botanist. As I have 

 not time to write to my parents by this opportunity, I shall 

 consider it a great favour if you will inform them that I am 

 in excellent health and spirits, and they will soon hear from 

 myself. 



It is impossible for me to form any idea of the state of my 

 funds, as I have heard nothing of my collections, sent from 

 Ceara and Piauhy, but I trust they reached you in good order, 

 and if my present collection arrives safe, it will bring me 

 much more than will cover the expenses of the journey, and 

 thus afford me some recompence for the toils, privations, and 

 fatigues that 1 have undergone during the last three years. 

 Besides my dried plants, I have gathered many valuable seeds, 

 including those of the finest flowering shrubs and herbaceous 

 plants of Brazil. Among these there are no less than twenty 

 species of Diplusodon, which as you know is a noble genus, 

 two of Physocalyx and many kinds of Vellozia. 



I do not expect to be able to reach Rio Janeiro before the 

 beginning of October, nor do I believe that it will be possible 

 to send any thing home earlier. I have collected a few 

 charming Orchideoe, among them a fine species allied to 

 Cattleya ; it is rare to find it in flower at this season, but I 

 have obtained a few specimens in that state. Cacti are very 

 uncommon here. 



I have visited some of the Diamond mines in this neisfhbour- 

 hood, and have seen abundance of beautiful diamonds; but 

 alas ! those which I was able to bring away are few in num- 

 ber ! From the elevation of this place, and this being also the 

 coldest season of the year, we are all suffering somewhat from 

 the cold, to which we are rendered the more susceptible from 

 coming from the hottest provinces in the country. At night 

 we feel it most, and I regret that I can neither give to my 

 men, nor afford myself the money to purchase, an additional 

 supply of bed-clothes. The times however will soon, I trust, 



