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[Page 4]
I found a plant in March in 1798 in Dove dale, in Derbyshire, which I considered as Thymus Acinos. I cultivated it in a pot at home, and raised several seedlings. I was rather surprised to find that it was a perennial, where as T. Acinos is an annual. I compared it with my specimens from Mr Curtis's garden, as well as with the Linnean & other descriptions with which it agreed except its duration; however I concluded it was no other than Th. Acinos, and through that did not preserve a specimen which now I have to regret, for since I have seen the real T.A. again, I find it is a quite different plant, though very much resembles it in habit. Besides its duration being perennial, and being a more sized and shrubby plant, the colour of the blossoms will distinguish them at first sight (if we may depend upon colour, which here appears to be permanent) In the Dove dale one they are of a light red, but in the true one they are purple, except the upper part of the middle segment of the lower lip, which is white, with purple dots, which gives the appearance of a white circle.
I observed it in great plenty in the moist clefts of rocks - The Arabis that I met with at the same time which I consider a new one, I only saw 2 plants of. As it was so scarce I preserved the seed before a specimen; the greater part of which I gave to Mrs Curtis's late gardiner, the best propagater of alpine and other herbaceous plants that I know of - Mr Dickson has got the mother plant, but I am afraid it is dead, for it was in a bad state
I remain with the greatest esteem
and regard your humble
and obedient servt
George Caley