March 19/1900
THE CAMP, SUNNINGDALE.
My dear Prain You will be kindly glad to know that I am convalescent after a long bout of Influenza, but am not as yet allowed to "get about" -- I really suffered very little, having had no head, lung or heart symptoms of consequence -- perhaps the worst was a sequela of conflagrant purpura in the legs, of the most startling brilliancy of hue. I might well be proud of it, notwithstanding its irritation. I am again at Impatiens, a heart-breaking labor[sic]. Gammie’s*1 collection I have been all through critically, it is very important; but I cannot name it till I have gone through all the Genus, -- & I have

still piles of Herb[arium]. Calcutta, & Saharanpur to study critically. I find in these a number of species of which I had only[?] significant[?] specimens 25 years ago, and some of which seriously interferes with my descriptions & even classifications [illegible word scrubbed through] The worst of the genus is, that it is in impossible to make out the form of the alae in by far the greater majority of species in a dried state. Gamble's*2 collection is most valuable for the number of dissections he made & sketches. The lateral sepals are the most important of available floral organs, as they do not alter with growth, & are always acceptable. Capsules & seeds are indispensable to a satisfactory determination but too often absent. Ovary & Anthers are of little avail, but I find one Sikkim species in Gammie’s collection with mucronate anther cells! I think it is

I. puberula, DC*3. Col[onel] Collett*4 is working hard at his Simla Flora, for which Miss Smith*5 -- has prepared some hundreds of charming drawings, being redrawn figures, like those of Bentham´s Handbook of Brit. Fl., to be introduced into the body of the work. He hopes to begin printing about the end of the year. I am glad to hear from Duthie*6 that he has an extension of service to end of 1800. So I hope he will be able to finish his flora of the Upper Gangetic plains; which appears to me to be very imperfectly known as regards Rajwara, Barde[?] & Maleva[?] especially. What really is most wanted now in Indian Botany is such monographs as your Pedicularis &; for Fl. B. Ind. [Flora Brit. India] is nothing but a hasty sacrificing[?] up of materials in aid of future research.

We have had a house of invalids since Xmas, with nurses & doctors galore; but all are well now, except my wife who suffers from eczema (gouty) & horrible persistent drumming in the ears -- I am to take her to Harrogate in summer. Mrs Symonds, now 80, has taken a new lease of life. -- Joe*7 my eldest by Lady H.*8 has just joined the Hampshire [?regiment] (as a learning candidate) & is to go to the Cape in June. Dick*9 is doing well at Bedfords work -- Early in April we go to Bournemouth for my recuperation, & I hope, my wife's benefit which has hitherto been relieved by Bromine only. We have not heard of Mrs Prain for some time -- Kindest regards to you both from Lady H & self[.] Ever sincerely yours | Jos D Hooker [signature] PS. I find two serious omissions in Fl. Brit Ind. Lythrum Salicaria, from[?] Kashmir, & Pyrenacantha[?] which latter fell between two stools, namely Olacinace & Santalaceae, I suppose -- there are plenty of smaller omissions.