# III: The Red Man’s Science explained — The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

> Chapter companion for The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting.

## What happens

Long Arrow returns to the Doctor's palace in Popsipetel, bringing his extensive collection of plants and natural remedies from the Andes. The Doctor and his companions examine the treasures, which include laughing-beans, a dancing root, sleeping-honey, and many other medicinal items. Bumpo accidentally eats too many laughing-beans and nearly dies of laughter. The Doctor marvels at Long Arrow's discoveries, recognizing their potential to revolutionize medicine, but laments the difficulty of transporting them to England.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Exploration

Long Arrow's return from Brazil with a hidden collection of plants from the Andes highlights the spirit of exploration and discovery.

### Education and Curiosity

Tommy's growing fascination with botany and the Doctor's detailed study of Long Arrow's specimens emphasize the value of learning and scientific curiosity.

### Cultural Exchange and Understanding

Long Arrow shares indigenous knowledge of plants and remedies, bridging his culture's science with the Doctor's Western medicine.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Dolittle

Overjoyed at Long Arrow's return, he examines the plant collection with great interest and recognizes its scientific value.

### Long Arrow

Returns from Brazil with his hidden collection of plants, explaining their properties to the Doctor and his friends.

### Bumpo Kahbooboo

Eats three laughing-beans and suffers extreme laughter, nearly dying, but recovers by morning.

### Tommy Stubbins

Initially uninterested in botany, he becomes fascinated by Long Arrow's collection and its wonders.

## Key lines

> Long Arrow has discovered a pharmacopoeia of his own. Miranda was right: he is a great naturalist. His name deserves to be placed beside Linnaeus.

Long Arrow has created his own collection of medicinal plants, and Miranda was correct in calling him a great naturalist; his work is comparable to that of Linnaeus.

_The Doctor praises Long Arrow's botanical discoveries, comparing him to the famous Swedish botanist._

> These treasures represent the labors of my life.

This collection is the result of my life's work.

_Long Arrow presents his plant collection as the culmination of his lifelong efforts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-vi-iii-the-red-man-s-science
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters