1850 TO 1865 289 
damaged condition or perhaps the specimen when discovered was 
imperfect but the only one found. Sometimes, too, in this climate the 
atmosphere is so humid and warm that it is impossible for a week at a 
time to dry plants suitably and without moulding. From so many 
causes there have resulted a great many imperfect specimens. But as 
I could not tell what might be of most interest, I have all along acted 
upon the principle that an imperfect specimen is better than no speci- 
men. And even if the specimen is of no value, it serves, at least, to 
give you the name of the plant and even that is announced by you as 
desirable. The want of good bibulous paper has greatly impeded my 
operations. . . . I expect the collection to be examined, and a 
correct list of the names corresponding to the numbers, sent to me. 
In regard to the making of collections generally, I wish to add 
that I labor under the inconveniencies arising from the want of almost 
every implement and facility necessary for success. I am strongly 
urged by a friend—a member of the Royal Museum of Natural His- 
tory of Paris, to divert my collections to the Museums of that Insti- 
tution. He tells me that the Smithsonian Institution won’t thank 
me—that they leave a man to entirely equip and fit himself out, and 
then very coolly accept the specimens he labors to collect. He enum- 
erates the advantages of collecting for the Parisian Institution. They 
send, he says, blotting paper by the ream for plants—sets of scalpels 
for dissection, &c.—quantities of cork and thousands of pins for 
insects—and, more than all, the requisite books for prosecuting these 
labors intelligently and satisfactorily;—they don’t make a man a 
mere collecting machine. And besides, he says they send the “francs” 
when they receive anything worth them. These are all important 
items and I confess my friend has done what he could to secure my 
future collections for the magnificent museums of Paris. Patriotism 
alone says, no. 
Do not understand me, however, as entering any prospective or 
retrospective complaint. I have no claim on the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion. I had no reputation with it to secure me the grant of imple- 
ments and means beforehand, and my present collections have not 
been received—and I am also too well aware that when received they 
will poorly bear the severe scrutiny to which they will be subjected. 
Allow me to add, however, that I trust I shall be able to continue 
the studies and collections of which what I have sent is but a poor and 
imperfect beginning. I am now conscious that I am able to do my 
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