HT. 62.] TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 635 
I offer my resignation unconditionally, that the 
corporation may have, as it should, the whole matter 
in its hands without embarrassment. If it be desired 
to keep my name for the present upon the catalogue, 
and especially if the corporation should prefer not to 
place a permanent incumbent just yet in the Fisher 
professorship, I would in that case take the liberty to 
suggest that the present very capable and efficient 
assistant, Dr. Goodale, be made adjunct professor of 
vegetable physiology, with salary assigned from the 
Fisher professorship. I remain, dear Mr. President, 
Very sincerely yours, Asa Gray. 
Messrs. the President and Fellows of Harvard College : 
HONORABLE AND DEAR Sigs, — The time has 
arrived when I may, as I think without detriment to 
the university, retire from the professorship to which 
I was appointed in the spring of 1842; and I hereby 
tender my resignation of it, to take effect at the close 
of the present academic year, when I shall have com- 
pleted thirty-one years of service. 
I trust that I may still be useful to the university ; 
and if agreeable to the corporation I should like to 
continue to be Curator of the Herbarium. With sin- 
cere regard, I am your obedient servant, 
Asa GRAY. 
Botanic GarpEn, Camprince, January 1, 1873. 
TO A. DE CANDOLLE. 
CamBrinGE, January 14, 1878. 
My bear De Canpoiir, —I am much and long in 
your debt, —all the more by your agreeable letter of 
the 16th ult. 
Let me note —s in your letter. Your volume of 
