3144 Correspondence of Mr. Bates. 



voyages to Japura &c. have this one drawback, they are subject to a 

 severe kind of fever and ague. I know of no one who goes there that 

 escapes the disease ; it is seldom fatal, but serious from the utter pros- 

 tration of strength that accompanies it. 1 entertained therefore this 

 alternative, Moyabamba or home, and from the reasons mentioned 

 decide on the latter ; and if I really cannot settle at home, I can still 

 make the excursion, as the expense from Para to Moyabamba is not 

 great. As I do not wish to arrive in England during the cold wea- 

 ther, I shall entertain myself in the voyage down river, so as to reach 

 England at the end of April or beginning of May. I shall purchase 

 all the curious live animals and birds 1 meet with, though I assure you 

 there are very few to be had. The collection now sent is one of the 

 best that I have been able to get together. 



" December 31st. — I have not written any articles for the Maga- 

 zines, for the reason that I have no means of ascertaining the scien- 

 tific names of the species, or of knowing what has previously been 

 written concerning them. I have abundance of materials for many 

 interesting articles, which I am reserving for use on my return. Mr. 

 Wallace, I suppose, will follow up the profession, and probably will 

 adopt the track I have planned out to Peru ; he is now in a glorious 

 country, and you must expect great things from him. In persever- 

 ance and real knowledge of the subject, he goes ahead of me, and is 

 worthy of all success. The vessel I suppose sails tomorrow, what more 

 I have to say, I hope I shall be spared to relate in 'propria persona. 



" Henry W. Bates." 



Note by Mr. S. Stevens. — Mr. Bates has not yet returned, but from 

 the tenour of his letter we are daily expecting him, and trust he will 

 return safe and sound. The collection now sent is unquestionably 

 the finest and most valuable of all that he has sent. It contains, for 

 the quantity, a wonderful amount of novelty and variety, and has for- 

 tunately arrived in superb condition. Amongst the butterflies most 

 conspicuous, is a splendid Charaxes and the glorious Callithea Batesii, 

 Haetera Andromeda, and a singular new Papilio, which at first sight 

 has the appearance of a Heliconia. The Coleoptera contain five fine 

 species of Megacephalus, including the gigantic and rare M. Klugii, 

 and a number of new and beautiful Longicornes, Curculionidge, Sta- 

 phylinidac, Chrysomelida) &c. 



Samuel Stevens. 



24, Bloomsbury-street, May 19th, 1851. 



