274 
in the environs of Geneva. I am highly obliged 
by your promise of some Alpine specimens towards 
completing the English series, and the very friendly 
manner in which you mention me will highly en- 
hance their value. We seem to think quite in con- 
sonance on this subject; for I do assure you that 
when I have happened to turn to one of your Scotch 
specimens during this journey you have been en- 
gaged in, the recollection of the donor, and the 
considering the plant as a prisca pignus amicitie, 
has given me greater pleasure than it would have 
done to have recurred to the gathering it myself. 
I pass over Rome and Naples as ground mentioned 
by every traveller, but your séjour at Genoa with 
your noble friend must have been delicious ; and I 
will indulge you when we meet in talking of Genoa 
as much as you can desire, provided one of those 
enchanting and accomplished sisters I have heard 
of, has not such a share in it as to divert your 
thoughts from your native country; for that same 
native country must now employ your thoughts 
and attention, unless you can find time for another 
trip. 
When I go to Norwich I shall show Pitchford 
your letter and account of Melampyrum sylvaticum 
(which I much doubt if it has ever been found in 
England); but he will not now require your oath, 
either on the Cross or Bible, as he is at length con- 
vinced of the other being the pratense. The grand 
difficulty was to persuade him that, though Hudson 
had quoted Ray, it did not necessarily follow that 
Hudson and Ray meant the same plant; for you 
