BECOLLECTIONS, 1855-61. 39 



long before I studied Cryptogamy. At the time I got 

 it, it proved to be 6ne of the best " root of all evils " 

 this "root plant" suggests me more of this same 

 quality, but more weedy "a variegated weed" as 

 would say our friend above. It is "JEgopodium 

 podarasia" goutwort, in English, a plant growing 

 as freely everywhere as quack or couch-grass (Triticum 

 repens), it is eminently a root of all evils but it pro- 

 duces both abundance of roots and some money, which 

 to my knowledge "pays letter " than Coleus to-day and 

 gives less trouble, but I think I have said enough if not 

 too much, so I shut the valve. . . .and what next ? I 

 hardly know, for I have been led astray, wandering 

 hither and thither without I might say having the 

 conscience of what I was about. I have when on the 

 ground of the Brooklyn Hort. Society forgotten a few 

 incidents, that probably I shall never have occasion to 

 relate unless I do it now. That year 1854, was an event- 

 ful remarkable year. First, it was the advent or re- 

 viving of the Brooklyn Hort. Soc'y, which Society 

 shined for seven years, except a very few cloudy days. 

 It was the First year we saw a travelling agent from 

 a European Horticultural establishment on this Con- 

 tinent, at least to my knowledge. It was the year of 

 the Crimean War and not a Holy war but the reverse. 

 I say not Holy, perhaps because it somewhat Kurt my 

 purse^ a sensitive thing with every body. It was the 



