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the science. In the New England states wc have a 

 country as yet little explored by European botanists, 

 and having in some degree a botany peculiar to it- 

 self. Many of our species resemble those of Eu- 

 rope, but at the same time differ in small particulars, 

 so as to leave it doubtful whether they are species 

 or varieties. For example, our Salicornia herbacea? 

 has its joints entire, not emarginate, and its calyx- 

 scales acute. Our Callitriche aquatica has very ob- 

 tuse or cuneiform leaves. Our JEthusaCynapium? 

 of which I inclose seeds, is destitute of a nauseous 

 taste, &c. On these plants it is difficult to decide, 

 without a comparison of actual specimens. The 

 present unhappy war presents a serious obstacle to 

 the conveyance of seeds, &c. ; but opportunities 

 must sooner or later occur for making communica- 

 tions or exchanges of this sort. I send you with 

 this the seeds of an Iris, which is new to me, but 

 perhaps is already in your collection. Its character 

 is, /. imberbis,foliis linearibus^ alternis ; caule tereti, 

 multifloro (7 — 8-floro); germxne trigono, lateribus 

 bisulcis. It has the habit of /. sibhica, but differs 

 in its germ, which is smaller ; grows in wet lands 

 with /. virginica, but is less frequent. I also send 

 seeds of a tetradynamous plant of our salt marshes, 

 which from its habit I think a Bunias. I should 

 describe it, B. silicula articulis binis Icevibus mono- 

 spermis ; foliis obovatis,sinuato-dentatis. The silicle 

 is drupaceous. It answers nearly to Cakile cegyp- 

 tiaca of Willdenow, without the "dente obtuso". I 

 wish very much to know whether the Datura Tatula 

 of Linnaeus be a distinct species. We have here a 



