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The Duke of Bedford has of late devoted more 

 time than usual to botany and gardening. Within 

 the last twelve months he has formed a fine collec- 

 tion of Heaths, — the most extensive, I believe, that 

 is anywhere to be found : a compartment for the 

 growth of the more hardy species of Erica adjoins 

 the Heath-house. As soon as I have completed my 

 work on Grasses, I purpose to enter on an exami- 

 nation of this beautiful and interesting family of 

 plants, — in which attempt I shall hope for your as- 

 sistance. The Duke is very anxious to see your 

 new Flora. The important and novel improvements 

 in the generic characters of the Umbellifera will be 

 found productive of the greatest utility in practice ; 

 and in this I feel certain that I speak the sentiments 

 of every practical botanist. The generic characters 

 founded on the general and partial involucra I have 

 ever found most difficult to profit by, or use in de- 

 termining with certainty the groups of this natural 

 and numerous order of plants ; and such a lessening 

 of labour and clearing away of difficulties will, I 

 feel certain, be received with gratitude by every stu- 

 dent in English botany. 



I have the honour to be, &c. 



G. Sinclair. 



From Sir Thomas Cullum. 



Bury, Feb. 26, 1S24. 

 My dear Friend Sir James, 



I had a letter about a fortnight ago from Mr. 

 Lambert, of whom I had not received a line since I 



