Description

Anthoine was pleased to receive Hooker's kind letter of 8 Dec, through Mr Le Neve[?], and is very happy to enter into correspondence. He apologises that his knowledge of botany and drawing is imperfect as his college education has been long forgotten and he has lost books whilst travelling. In a few days he is travelling to upper River Sinú and will send Hooker the specimens he requires. He thinks it best to write a letter to the British Consul there, Mr Frederick Bernal, asking him to take care of such parcels. He discusses a possible unknown Heliconia species, and how it could be used to make paper. He asks Hooker to put him in contact with some paper manufacturers. In a postscript he asks Hooker for the botanical names of the timbers 'Green heart', 'Morra'[?] and 'Sabicu', and a sketch of the flowers and leaves. He encloses a specimen of the libers of an enormous tree without branches [not attached]. It was part of a rope tying up his horses. He will also send flowers, leaves and a drawing so that Hooker can identify the species. Page 1 of 4.