William Carey, Serampore, to Nathaniel Wallich, [Calcutta], Monday afternoon, [c. mid-1820s].

My dear Sir,

         I have always considered the small Kumbhira of the Turks and the longer ones of the Ganges as the same, and only differing in age. But Ram Chund who is now with me putting up seeds, says that the large one is white, and called Hansa Koombheer, the small one found in tanks he says is called Mecha K— is of a dark colour, and is scarcely ever known to seize a man, whereas the large one does it as often as he can – This deserves further investigation. The long nosed one in Ghurrial is not, I think, half so common as the other sent.

                     Yours very truly

                                 W C.

Monday Aftn.

Address: Dr Wallich

Postmark: none

Text: University of Edinburgh, Special Collections, La. II. 646/70 (5).