AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 269 



RhododencLrum lanatum. One of those beautiful Himalayan 

 flowers — recently discovered by Doctor Josej^h Dalton Hooker. 



It is a small tree, or rather a large shrub, as thick as a man's 

 thigh at bottom. The leaves only on the ends of the branches. 

 The branches of one year old are covered with a fawn colored 

 floculene^ or thick tomentrum. Flowers, bell shaped — (campa- 

 nuliform). Petals of a pale sulphur color, with purplish dots 

 and points. 



Grey Town, mh Jli)ril, 1855. 

 Henry Meigs, Esq., 



Rec. Sec. Jim. histifute^Sbl Broadway, JV*. Y.: 



Dear Sir — In accordance with my promise made to you, I send 

 you a few specimens of what can be found on the banks of our 

 harbor, in the shape of stones and a few specimens of wood, and 

 a piece showing the effects of the worms on wood; the entrance 

 of the worm is about the size of a pin's head, and gradually in- 

 creases to a large cell; the worm will neither live in perfectly 

 fresh or salt water, but in a brackish or medimn of both. 



The stone marked No. 1, is a petrifaction of the nut known as 

 the cocoon nut antidote used with success in cases of poison. The 

 nut 2, is a cocoon nut in a natural state, but slightly varying 

 from No. 1. 



Since my return from New- York, my attention has been wholly 

 taken up by business, and consequently have had no spare time. 

 The things I now send were handed to me, and I have thought it 

 best to send them; if there is anything curious among them, I 

 shall be glad — although I do not much think there is with the 

 exception of two or three petrifactions. I shall endeavor to send 

 you something more worthy your attention in a short time. 



The staff is a piece of cabbage wood; the piece of wood three, 

 is, I believe, fustio. 



I shall be glad by your wu^iting, the result of your investiga- 

 tions. There are several smooth stones, something like a blood- 

 stone; I should like to know if they could cut them to any pur- 

 pose. 



When you write to me, I beg you to see that the letter is 

 placed on board the Nicaragua steamship, as otherwise it may 

 miscarry. 



Please present my respects to Capt. Barnard and other friends, 

 and believe me, 



Yours very truly, 



BENJAMIN MOONLY, per F. S. 



