276 A DECADE OF WORK AT HOME. [1840, 



TO ALPHONSE DE CAKDOLLE. 



NEW YORK, September 15, 1840. 



MY DEAR FRIEND. ... I had not forgotten our 

 conversation on the subject of geographical botany. 

 On my return I found I had a copy, a mere proof, of 

 the little article I spoke of, and was about to offer it 

 to you, but on examination it appeared to me much 

 less important than I had supposed and perhaps led 

 you to expect. But as it may be of some little use, I 

 now beg you to accept it. I have added, here and 

 there, the scientific names when the popular names 

 only were mentioned. 



The question you suggest as to the effect of the de- 

 struction of the forests on the climate is very inter- 

 esting, and I think still unanswered. I fear it will be 

 next to impossible to obtain data, even in this country, 

 for its satisfactory determination. There are very 

 few thermometrical observations on record of suffi- 

 cient extent or exactness, except for the last eight or 

 ten years. For a year or two I shall not be able to 

 pay any attention to these subjects except to collect 

 materials. But I am very desirous to afford you any 

 aid in my power, and will attend to any suggestions 

 you make, obtain any data which come in my way, or 

 secure the services of our botanical correspondents 

 scattered throughout our extended country. Pray tell 

 me how I can aid you. The annual reports of the 

 regents of the University of the State of New York 

 are documents submitted annually to our legislature, 

 and printed at their expense for public use. They 

 relate chiefly to the condition of our colleges and 

 higher schools, but for six or perhaps nine years past 

 have also embodied the results of the meteorological 

 observations made throughout the State under their 



