aT. 47.] TO JOHN TORREY. 445 
part in elementary botanical writing, and I return 
with zest to my drier investigations, in which I have 
much to do. 
If I ever find time I am greatly disposed to write 
some day upon the principles of classification, — the 
ground in nature for classification, the nature and 
distribution and probable origin of species, — knotty 
points, upon which I incline to differ decidedly from 
Agassiz, and considerably from the common notions. 
Some of the more immediate and best-established 
deductions I hope to bring out in a paper I shall soon 
be occupied with, containing the results of a compari- 
son of the flora of Japan (in which I have new materi- 
als) with our own of the United States of America. 
My college work keeps me very busy at this sea- 
son. 
. . . I see no near prospect of revisiting the Old 
World. The commercial troubles last autumn have 
reduced our moderate means and prospects a little. 
But if I live I must yet have two years’ work in Eng- 
land and on the Continent. With great regard, I re- 
main, Yours very faithfully, 
ASA Gray. 
TO JOHN TORREY. 
July 27, 1858. 
I have to-day received a nice present from Vilmorin 
of Paris, i. e., the copy of Robert Brown’s “ Prodro- 
mus,” presented by him to A. L. de Jussieu. 
I am kept here, too, by the attending suddenly 
to building a new conservatory, for which a donation 
of $2,000 has been received. I cannot leave till it is 
well under way. 
I am deep in Japan botany ; interesting results. 
