. 46.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 429 



America, indicate some peculiar relation, and are 

 most noteworthy, but I do not see why it points to 

 connection. 



I am very glad you are turning your good, logical 

 mind and immense knowledge to this class of topics ; 

 but do not let it run off with too much of your valua- 

 ble time. I take far more satisfaction in discussing 

 questions of botanical affinity ; and long to get back 

 to that sort of work. Just now, I must needs be ab- 

 sorbed in elementary work and teaching, but look to 

 see an end of this. 



I have been watching the development of the ovules 

 of Magnolia ; nothing can be more normal than they 

 are, in the early stages. 



When Wright comes home from Cuba I expect to 

 get hold of his considerable north Japan collection, 

 which I expect to find very interesting on questions 

 of distribution, the very questions you ask me to con- 

 sider. 



I doubt if our " mountain backbone " actually stops 

 any species, itself, from advancing east or west. 



I wish you would compare our White Birch with 

 the European B. alba, and let me know the result. 

 Also the Chestnuts. . . . 



TO B. W. CHURCH. 



CAMBRIDGE, May 15, 1857. 



An acquaintance en route for Scotland has offered 

 to take some small parcels for me. 



Among them is one I have taken the liberty to 

 address to you, a copy of a very elementary book 1 I 

 have prepared as an introduction to my favorite 

 science, finding there was no one in use here which I 



1 First Lessons. 



