404 
with the greatest prospect of success; “The learned, 
candid and ingenious possessor of the herbarium, 
library and manuscripts of the two Linnzi” could be 
my oracle, if his time and the multiplicity of his la- 
bours would permit him to assist me. I would send 
all the plantas adversarias et nondescriptas in good 
order, numbered, and beg of him to favour me with 
his judgement, which of the plants are already de- 
scribed, and by what name, and which are not de- 
scribed. Perhaps it would not be disagreeable to 
him to have even some of the described plants in his 
noble herbarium: new species certainly would be 
pleasing; so every doubt would be cleared up, and 
the adversaria Americana be lessened. This, Sir, is 
the reason of my troubling you ; and may I hope to 
receive a favourable answer? If my offer is not 
disagreeable to you, pray do me the honour to let 
me know to what place I should send the dried spe- 
cimens and my future letters ; and be pleased to 
inform me whether you want any particular Penn- 
sylvanian plant or seed. Any commands that way 
will punctually and with pleasure be obeyed. But, 
should your time and various labours not permit 
you to grant me the desired favour, may I, by your 
recommendation, find any candid and ingenious 
gentleman in England or Scotland to whom I could 
address myself ? 
Any letter to me can be addressed to my brother, 
Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Esq., Member of 
Congress, at Philadelphia, who will forward it safe 
to Lancaster, where I live. 
In expectation of an agreeable answer, and re- 
