JDH writes to Sir William Turner Thiselton-Dyer to say that he will recommend Kirk as a candidate for membership of a society [The Athenaeum Club?]. JDH praises [George] King's Ficus work particularly regarding sexual difference in the flower, & says he has progressed beyond the work of [Guglielmo] Gasparrini, [Hermann Maximilian?] Solms-Laubach[?] & Miguel. JDH is encouraging King to work on Palms, Pandanus & Musa rather than the Perak flora. JDH is stunned by the Baccaurea King has sent. JDH is currently describing Bradleia. He mentions that [James Edward Tierney?] Aitchison[?] is upset by the omission of his name in a new order. JDH will be glad to get Sikkim Rhododendrons from Thiselton-Dyer.
Transcript
appears to me to be a very valuable piece of systematic as well as descriptive work -- he has gone over the heads of [Guglielmo] Gasparrini & Solms [Hermann Maximilian Solms-Laubach?] in the matter of the difficult problem of sexual & asexual difference in the flower, & is no small[?] of a way beyond Miguel in the descriptive part, which he has in fact rescued from chaos. I am urging him to go at the Palms Pandani & Musas & to leave the Perak flora for the present. & I shall hammer at this in every letter. He has sent all the Baccaurea & I
Camp
Fe[bruar]y 20/87
D[ea]r Dyer
I have written to Kirk for particulars & will see to his recommendation at once. If the candidates are no better than last year there will be plenty of room for him! As in deed there ought to be whoever the other candidates may be.
I consulted Clarke about King who was not in the Forest Dep[artmen]t: -- His Ficus work
appears to me to be a very valuable piece of systematic as well as descriptive work -- he has gone over the heads of [Guglielmo] Gasparrini & Solms [Hermann Maximilian Solms-Laubach?] in the matter of the difficult problem of sexual & asexual difference in the flower, & is no small[?] of a way beyond Miguel in the descriptive part, which he has in fact rescued from chaos. I am urging him to go at the Palms Pandani & Musas & to leave the Perak flora for the present. & I shall hammer at this in every letter. He has sent all the Baccaurea & I
I am fairly stunned. If you go to Herb[arium]. just look at the 2 bundles on the table in little room at top of staircase, & peer[?] at the 2 files on the shelf behind, & pray for me.
I have plunged into Bradleia, to sink or swim I have them here for dissection & description.
Poor [James Edward Tierney?] Aitchison[?] is naturally & rightly disgusted at the omission of his name for the new order -- it is monstrous.
I shall be so glad of the few[?] Sikkim Rhodod[endron]s when you can send them.
Ever aff[ectionately] y[ou]rs | J D Hooker [signature]
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