Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 3]
I should imagine that Mr Brown will be so fortunate as to satisfy the public curiosity concerning the generation of these animals, as he left here last November on a voyage to Bass Strait, & is not yet returned. His chief venture has been at the new settlement at the Derwent. Since I returned from Hunters river, my chief attention has been to the orchides plants; and it is very remarkable I have met with several that grow almost every where which I had never seen before. I can account for no other way than this. The summer being very hot, & a long continuance of dry weather, together with ground being very bare by the grass being all burned, and a lot of wet weather happening at the season when these plants should appear, has been the cause of the lucky event. One Genus I have bestowed a deal of time upon viz. Druid's Cap. As I am in expectation of meeting with some more, I have delayed sending you their specific characters at present.
In the summer I mean to go again to Hunter's river, as I think a deal may be picked up at that place. In the course of a month I think of going a journey into the mountains for about a fortnight, chiefly on a geographical intention. But in this I must request the favor of His Excellency the Governor lending his assistance. I have already travelled the ground that can be done with a horse. It may appear strange to a person in England that we are acquainted with so little of the interior of the country, allowing for the length of time it has been colonized. Gov King has made some attempts at a knowledge of the interior, but the people that he engaged only imposed upon his understanding. I have about 60 different specimens of wood by me, but these would have been too bulky to have sent by the present ship.
I remain Sir with the highest esteem & regard
Your truly humble & faithful servant
George Caley