Description

Anthoine has received Hooker's letter of 22 Apr, but the printed description of Heliconia maria [mariae] did not arrive. He would be grateful to receive it before leaving Europe. He is about to raise a company to work on the forests on a large scale, collecting fibres of the 'Pourettia Plantanifolia'. These are soaked in a weak solution of potash, and washed at a paper manufacturer; Anthoine has secured an offer to sell 1000 tons yearly. He asks Hooker to return the specimen of bark with liber attached, via Dr G. Rampon[?], Holles Street, Cavendish Square, London, who will carry it on his return to Paris. Anthoine wishes to use this specimen for illustrative purposes but will return it. Should Rampon carry this letter by hand to Hooker, Anthoine hopes that Hooker will show Rampon and his family around RBG Kew. In a postscript, he discusses the Heliconia and is certain that the other specimen died from salt water. He thanks Hooker for his condolences on the loss of his [Anthoine's] son and states that he was 'an exotic plant' who was 'unable to live under this hard climate'. Pages 1 and 4 of 4.