426 CORRESPONDENCE. [1857, 



I think I have somewhere in the " Journal " stated 

 my notion about it, or hinted at it. If not, I will, some 

 day ; for I have a pretty decided opinion about it : 

 that hereditary transmission of individual peculiari- 

 ties involves also, among them, the transmission of dis- 

 ease, or tendency to disease, a constantly increas- 

 ing heritage of liability as interbreeding goes on ; in 

 plants well exemplified by maladies affecting old cul- 

 tivated varieties long propagated by division. 



I should much enjoy a visit with you at New Haven, 

 and so would my wife, no less. Hope we may some 

 day. . . . 



Yours faithfully, A. GRAY. 



TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 



March 26, 1857. 



Fendler is back again in the country of Venezuela, 

 and making fine collections. He will complete the 

 sets of his former distribution, but not send the same 

 things over again. He has found many more Filices. 

 Will you and M. Dunant continue ? 



On Wright's return home he was troubled with 

 rheumatism, and longed for a warm climate to pass 

 the winter in. So I sent him to the east end of Cuba 

 (where I wished the Huets to go). He is doing very 

 well there. 



Oregon is still in a disturbed and unsafe state. But 

 I should inform you that a commission has been raised 

 to run our northwestern boundary with the British 

 government ; and it will probably be commenced this 

 year. The party would have a sufficient escort, and 

 this would give the Huets a safe opportunity for 

 botanizing across the continent in a high latitude, if 

 they are so disposed. I know not any details, but 



