std ie ait etn tei 
nb bate 5 a es te a a el aca 
ET. 46.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 429 
America, indicate some peculiar relation, and are 
most noteworthy, but I do not see why it points to 
connection. 
I am very glad you are turning your good, logical 
mind and immense knowledge to this class of topics ; 
but do not let it run off with too much of your valua- 
ble time. I take far more satisfaction in discussing 
questions of botanical affinity ; and long to get back 
to that sort of work. Just now, I must needs be ab- 
sorbed in elementary work and teaching, but look to 
see an end of this. 
I have been watching the development of the ovules 
of Magnolia; nothing can be more normal than they 
are, in the early stages. 
When Wright comes home from Cuba I expect to 
get hold of his considerable north Japan collection, 
which I expect to find very interesting on questions 
of distribution, the very questions you ask me to con- 
sider. 
I doubt if our “ mountain backbone ” actually stops 
any species, itself, from advancing east or west. 
I wish you would compare our White Birch with 
the European B. alba, and let me know the result. 
Also the Chestnuts. . . 
TO R. W. CHURCH. 
CaMBRIDGE, May 15, 1857. 
An acquaintance en route for Scotland has offered 
to take some small parcels for me. 
Among them is one I have taken the liberty to 
address to you, a copy of a very elementary book! I 
have prepared as an introduction to my favorite 
science, finding there was no one in use here which I 
1 First Lessons. 
