2S RT 
err 
&T. 53.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 519 
herbarium and other botanical collections, which in 
my house (besides that, there is not room for them) 
are too liable to destruction from fire. I had offered 
them, with my botanical library, to our university, if 
they would build in the Botanic Garden a fireproof 
building to hold them, and raise a small fund for 
their support. Recently and quite unexpectedly, a 
banker in Boston, almost unknown to me personally, 
has offered in any case to construct the building, and 
a few friends are taking steps, with good prospects, to 
raise by gifts a fund of $10,000 for the support of the 
establishment. When done, I shall feel that my col- 
lections, which are most important for North Ameri- 
can botany, are secure for the use of future botanists. 
To secure this I gladly divest myself of the ownership 
of collections which have absorbed most of my small 
Spare means for the last thirty years, and which are 
valued at $20,000 or more... . 
In the council of our American Academy (of which 
since May last I have been president) we have nom- 
inated Dean Milman to the foreign honorary mem- 
bership vacated by the death of Whately, and Max 
Miiller to that vacated by Grimm. The election has 
not yet taken place. 
Mrs. Gray, with kind regards, joins me in best 
wishes for the new year to you and yours. 
Very sincerely yours, Asa Gray. 
TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 
CamBRIDGE, December 22, 1863. 
My pear De Canpoiie, —I thank you cordially 
for your letter of the 13th November, and for the 
copy of Thury’s interesting and curious paper. This 
I had not seen, neither Pictet’s notice. I find it very 
