686 TRAVEL IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. [1879, 
The genus Bigelovia, which your father founded on 
one species, is now one of the most characteristic North 
American genera, of many species, chiefly west of the 
Mississippi. 
J. W. Robbins,! also of Massachusetts, one of the 
best and oldest local botanists, died the day before, 
aged seventy-seven. 
Engelmann (two or three years older than I am) 
and myself are now the oldest botanists of the coun- 
try, I believe. 
While I live I am always your devoted, 
Asa GRAY. 
TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 
CamBRIDGE, May 22, 1879. 
e go ona trip south to the mountains of 
Casati with Canby, Redfield, and this time Sargent. 
It was to have been done whenever Shortia blos- 
somed. But that stole a march on us by flowering in 
April. So now we time it for the Rhododendrons, 
and will see Shortia out of blossom, and we hope to 
find new stations. Then I want to look up Darbya, 
of which only the male is known. Curtis seems to 
have got it, without flowers, near Lincolnton. Then 
we are to explore the east side of the Blue Ridge, 
from the base of Black Mountain to Grandfather, and 
then cross to the Roan, on which is now the Cloud- 
land Hotel. 
Oh dear! now that the time draws near, I wish I 
could stay at home and finish Parry and Palmer’s? 
1 James Watson Robbins, M. D., 1807-1879 ; physician at Uxbridge, 
Mass. ‘‘ A most critical student of the botany of New England and 
geet United — and especially of the Potamogetons ”’ [A. G.]- 
ard Palmer; has collected largely in southern Florida and 
Panis 
