Description

Purdie reports that he has arrived in Bogota, in good health, after six months of arduous travel. He goes on to give an account of his journey. His route took him from Santa Martha to Ocaña, via Semaña, across a forest-clothed plain with a hot and unhealthy climate. He describes having had to ride through water, sometimes deep enough to immerse him completely, for 250 miles. The road was used so infrequently that he was seized as a 'Factioso' on his arrival in the village of Chiriguaya, the inhabitants of which he describes as 'little removed from barbarism'. At Ocaña, Purdie was able to send Hooker a glass case containing the 'ivory nut' [Phytelephas or 'Tagua']. By the same consignment he also sent two species of Achimenes, some Gesneriaceae and Orchidae. He has since received confirmation of their receipt from Mr Ferguson, acting consul at Santa Martha. From Ocaña, Purdie's journey took him across mountainous country, which he says may be called Sierra Fria. The cold was intense, especially in the Paramos which were: 'strewed with bones of animals that have perished'. Purdie found the Paramos botanically interesting for syngenesious and Gentian-like plants. He has sent a large collection of seeds from the district including: Tovaria, Ericoideae, Berberis and a Lisianthus. Six further boxes were forwarded from the port of Boticas, the contents of which include a Zamia, a Cattleya and two Cacti. A few days journey from Bogota he encountered a Lisianthus that he describes as 'the finest plant' he ever saw, he hopes to send seeds in a few weeks. On reaching Bogota Purdie reports that he was in debt to his servants and all his clothes were in rags. Purdie describes the situation and climate of Bogota and notes that he has 'a fine view of the snowy peak of Tolema' [Tolima], which is on his route to Antioquia. Purdie concludes by informing Hooker that he will despatch all his specimens down the river Magdalena on his return from Tunja, whence he will depart as soon as his affairs allow. Page 1 of 4.

Description

Purdie reports that he has arrived in Bogota, in good health, after six months of arduous travel. He goes on to give an account of his journey. His route took him from Santa Martha to Ocaña, via Semaña, across a forest-clothed plain with a hot and unhealthy climate. He describes having had to ride through water, sometimes deep enough to immerse him completely, for 250 miles. The road was used so infrequently that he was seized as a 'Factioso' on his arrival in the village of Chiriguaya, the inhabitants of which he describes as 'little removed from barbarism'. At Ocaña, Purdie was able to send Hooker a glass case containing the 'ivory nut' [Phytelephas or 'Tagua']. By the same consignment he also sent two species of Achimenes, some Gesneriaceae and Orchidae. He has since received confirmation of their receipt from Mr Ferguson, acting consul at Santa Martha. From Ocaña, Purdie's journey took him across mountainous country, which he says may be called Sierra Fria. The cold was intense, especially in the Paramos which were: 'strewed with bones of animals that have perished'. Purdie found the Paramos botanically interesting for syngenesious and Gentian-like plants. He has sent a large collection of seeds from the district including: Tovaria, Ericoideae, Berberis and a Lisianthus. Six further boxes were forwarded from the port of Boticas, the contents of which include a Zamia, a Cattleya and two Cacti. A few days journey from Bogota he encountered a Lisianthus that he describes as 'the finest plant' he ever saw, he hopes to send seeds in a few weeks. On reaching Bogota Purdie reports that he was in debt to his servants and all his clothes were in rags. Purdie describes the situation and climate of Bogota and notes that he has 'a fine view of the snowy peak of Tolema' [Tolima], which is on his route to Antioquia. Purdie concludes by informing Hooker that he will despatch all his specimens down the river Magdalena on his return from Tunja, whence he will depart as soon as his affairs allow. Page 1 of 4.