Thwaites thanks Hooker for his letter of 19 Jan. He is glad to hear Hooker is well. He has not seen the MacCarthy's since their arrival, but has received notes from Lady MacCarthy and has conveyed Hooker's regards to her; they will remain in Kandy for some months. Ill health prevented Thwaites from making the long trip to Galle to meet Dr Anderson. His principal plant collector received the box of plants Anderson brought from RBG Kew. The plants the Lindesay's brought out are still alive but have not grown after being in such a hot climate. They have a few healthy plants raised from the seed of Cinchona micrantha. Seed of C. succirubra has just reached him from the Colonial Office; it will go up to Newera Ellia [Newara Eilya] in a day or two. From McIvor he has received seeds of C. micrantha, two varieties, and C. nitida. MacNicoll takes a great interest in the Cinchona and Thwaites anticipates good results. He is glad to have Cameron and MacNicoll and thanks Hooker for selecting them. Hooker should receive a small box of plants that Mr Hay Wodehouse of their Civil Service has taken. Wodehouse goes home on sick leave by this mail. By the next opportunity they propose sending a plant of Pachycentria walkeri established on a log of wood. Thwaites is gratified by what Hooker says about Sir William Dennison, the new Governor of Madras [Chennai]. They want scientific men in high places in India or Thwaites fears there will be little encouragement of science in these times of financial difficulty. There is little chance of Thwaites getting his museum this year; if things improve he will make a push for it next year and has little doubt of getting Sir Charles MacCarthy to give it to him. However, until their railway business is settled they must be happy with retrenchment. Since starting his letter the C. calisaya plants brought by Dr Anderson have arrived; two are in capital condition and will go to Newera Ellia along with the little plants raised from seed of C. micrantha. Pages 1 and 4 of 7.