Natural-History Collectors. 3643 



I may also mention that I had taken some trouble to procure and 

 pack an entire leaf of the magnificent Jupate palm (Oredoxia regia), 

 fifty feet in length, which I had hoped would form a fine object in the 

 botanical room at the British Museum. 



Alfred R. Wallace. 



P.S. — I left Mr. Spruce at S. Gabriel, on the falls of the Rio Negro, 

 hard at work and in good health, on the 29th of April last. On the 

 15th of June I called at Santarem, which place Mr. Bates had left a 

 week previously on an excursion up the Tapajoz. — A. W. 



43, Upper Albany St., Regent's Park, 

 October 19, 1852. 



Mr. N. Plant.* — This gentleman left England in September, 1851, 

 for the purpose of collecting objects of Natural History &c. in the 

 southern part of Brazil. I extract a portion of a letter which I have 

 received from him a few days sinee, dated " San Leopoldo, July 3rd, 

 1852." 



" I now send off to you my first consignment, which I hope will 

 reach you in safety. It consists of about 1300 insects of all orders, 

 upwards of 100 bird and 3 animal skins, 15 specimens of woods and 

 several of rocks, together with a few rough sketches and notes. In the 

 inclosed letter to yourself I give an account of the country, &c, so 

 will only just remark that I left Rio Grande for Portalegre, where I 

 only remained about fourteen days, seeing that nothing could be done 

 there owing to the barren character of the country. I proceeded on 

 to San Leopoldo, where the greater part of my present collection was 

 formed. I left there for Mundi Novo, on account of the Englishman 

 I was staying with being shot in the arm by some enemy, which com- 

 pelled him to remove to the city, Portalegre, and me to Mundi Novo, 

 which appears to be the best locality in the province for my pursuits, 

 so I shall remain here two or three years if it pays. The present col- 

 lection is not a large one, having been made in going from one place 

 to another in search of a good locality to settle in ; but I hope it may 

 be of good quality, for travelling expenses are very great here, owing 

 to the absolute necessity for keeping a horse. 



" In about three months after receiving this consignment you may 

 expect another, with some plants. I shall see by the sale of the birds 

 whether it will be worth while purchasing powder and shot, for all 

 my powder, except one pound, was taken at the custom-house. 



" I see in your letter that Bonpland is said to be dead ; but I hear 



* Communicated by Mr. S. Stevens. 



